13 Years of Office Depot – Interview with Simona Pop

About Simona 

I am an HR Specialist and I have been part of the Recruiting team at Office Depot for more than 2 years. My job is to find the right people for our team and to make sure they have a pleasant experience with the company from the very start. As a recruiter, I am mainly responsible for external recruiting, but I am also involved in some internal recruiting processes. Also, I get to represent Office Depot at recruitment events, where I meet potential candidates and provide them with information about the company and the job opportunities that we have to offer. It’s truly amazing to see how their nervousness to approach us is quickly replaced with excitement and interest after they interact with us. 

One of the things I enjoy the most about my job is that I have the opportunity to connect with people coming from different countries and cultures, the same people that make our team so colorful and diverse. For a recruiter, I believe it’s crucial to build and maintain relationships with people, and that requires to be emphatic and a good communicator.  

First day at Office Depot 

I remember that the first day at Office Depot was a sunny day of summer and I was very excited to begin. The day started with a tour of the company, and the Induction (now called “Welcome Day”) followed soon after. It was a memorable day and I remember that my new colleagues welcomed me with kindness, as we had lunch together and we got to know each other better. I consider that the first day is more about listening and meeting new people. I enjoyed every minute of it. Although I was nervous in the beginning, the day ended on a happy note. 

Why Office Depot 

The first thing that comes to my mind is my team. I am lucky enough to have the best team from all my professional experience. Another reason why I stayed loyal to Office Depot is the role itself. It has evolved over time and I manage an increasing level of responsibility. I have been constantly challenged. All the situations that I get to handle every day help me grow and discover myself continuously. 

The people of Office Depot are… 

Innovative, collaborative, ambitious, dedicated, happy, fun, young. 

Advice to those who want to join Office Depot  

As stated in our motto, we offer great opportunities that help you grow and develop your skills. All I have to say is: be natural and have the courage to apply. I look forward to meeting you 🙂