In our latest Going Beyond blog post, our series that aims to show what it’s really like to work at Beyond, we spoke to Ines Martins to learn more about her experience on the Beyond team and how she balances being a working parent. 

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Ines is a Senior Software Engineer and discusses her journey to Beyond, experience, and what she loves most about being part of our dynamic company.

How long have you been at Beyond and what is your role?

I've had the pleasure of contributing to Beyond for five and a half years now, and time has truly flown by! I am part of the integrations team, one core piece of our business. As a senior backend software developer, it's been a journey of continuous improvement, filled with countless opportunities for creativity and collaboration with other talented teammates. We've fostered a culture of cross-departmental collaboration, allowing us to draw insights from various perspectives. Together, we've remained dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions to our customers, actively incorporating their feedback along the way. It's been an immensely rewarding experience, and I'm thrilled to continue my journey of growth and innovation here at Beyond.

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As a working parent, how do you balance work and life?

I believe in maintaining open communication with my teammates regarding my availability, especially when balancing the responsibilities of being a working parent. Whether it's notifying them when I'm away from my computer or when I have to manage having sick children at home, setting clear expectations is key. I also prioritize respecting my scheduled working hours and aim to conclude work by a set time to ensure dedicated family time without distractions. 

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To manage work-life boundaries effectively, I utilize project management tools and automations, like the reminder Slack-bot feature to defer non-urgent tasks to the following day. During my free time and time off, I make a conscious effort to disconnect from work entirely, ensuring that my focus is on being present and engaged with my family – with the laptop firmly closed.

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Is there any advice you’d give to working parents? 

Absolutely. My advice to fellow working parents (and even to non-parents) would be to prioritize open communication with your colleagues and do not hesitate to ask for help when needed. Transparency and honesty about your situation can go a long way in fostering understanding and support within the team. 

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Remember to prioritize self-care as well, as taking care of yourself enables you to perform well at work while also attending to your family's needs. It's essential to strike a balance that ensures both personal well-being and professional success.

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How does Beyond support you in being a working parent?

I'm very grateful for the true support that Beyond provides for all the employees but especially to the working parents. The unlimited time off policy and paid sick leave are both incredibly valuable and recognize the unpredictable nature of parenting, especially when children fall ill or require frequent doctor appointments. Beyond's understanding and responsiveness to these situations allow me to attend to my family’s needs without too much stress or guilt. Moreover, the provision of paid maternity leave also shows Beyond's commitment to supporting employees through one of the major life-changing events: having a baby. 

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Within my team, there's a culture of mutual support, where we readily assist each other in navigating unexpected challenges such as caring for sick children. This collaborative ethos ensures that we can maintain productivity while prioritizing family responsibilities when necessary. 

What are you most excited for about Beyond’s future? 

I'm genuinely thrilled about Beyond's future achievements. A true constant is that we always have our customers and property managers in mind. At Beyond, we understand that when they succeed, we succeed. We are now even more committed to staying ahead of the curve by supporting hosts in rapidly grasping the industry and evolving alongside us. 

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One standout product that embodies this is Search Powered Pricing. It's an innovative solution that proves Beyond's forward-thinking approach that leverages real-time guest searches, like amenities, and demand data. This empowers our customers to outshine competitors, increase the number of bookings, and optimize revenue streams by adapting their portfolio to what guests really want and need at the perfect time. We already collected lots of positive feedback, and I'm eager to see more positive impact that this new product and other future products will have on our customers' businesses. It's a testament to our dedication to providing cutting-edge solutions that truly benefit our clients.

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What is your favorite part about working at Beyond? 

Undoubtedly, my favorite aspect of working at Beyond is the people. Here, hiring isn't only about skills; it's also about alignment with our team culture. What truly sets this company apart is the genuine care and empathy exhibited by everyone. It's very common to witness individuals going above and beyond to help others shine, without expecting anything in return. 

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I am a remote worker but it is not uncommon to hear the stories of colleagues saying the environment at the office is amazing. I do appreciate the “virtual” activities we make from time to time to solidify human connection, but I can state that I do not feel “alone” working remotely. Every Beyonder embodies qualities of intelligence, approachability, friendliness, and humility. From directors to individual contributors, everyone is open to stepping outside of job descriptions, whether by covering for a sick colleague, taking out the trash, jumping into an unexpected call with a customer or prospect or simply washing the dishes on the sink. This collective effort gives me the confidence and peace of mind that we're all dedicated to each other's well-being and Beyond's success. I'm also very grateful for the transparency demonstrated by our directors, leaders, and management. If more organizations embraced this overall mentality, for sure the world would be a better place.

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Our Going Beyond series aims to pull back the curtain and show what it’s really like to work at Beyond. Our five core values provide structure for our company decisions, interactions, and work: We Care, We Go Beyond, We Are On The Same Team, We Inspire Trust and We Ship It. If these values resonate with you, then you belong at Beyond too! Check out our careers page for more information and to see open positions: https://www.beyondpricing.com/about/careers