In the latest part of our Women in Tech series, we’re featuring Aleksandra Gaj, our Accounts Receivable Manager based in Poland. She has been a cornerstone of our team for more than 8 years, and her journey is a fantastic reminder that career growth isn’t always a straight line. Sometimes the most rewarding moves are the ones that take you off your planned path to see the "big picture."
From starting here as a student to taking an unexpected detour through our FP&A team, Ola shares how she moved from observing the process to actually shaping it. Read on to see why she treats finance as a key part of the customer experience, how "Work from Anywhere" keeps her inspired in Spain, and why she believes speaking your mind is the best way to move ideas forward.
What sparked your interest in working in the technology industry/a finance role within the tech sector?
Aleksandra: Earlier in my career, I worked in environments where roles were very specialized, and you often only saw a small part of the process. What really drew me to tech - and specifically to SmartRecruiters - was the scope of the role. Instead of being responsible for one isolated step, I suddenly had the chance to work across the entire Order to Cash process, in a two‑person AR team. It felt like going from watching the game to actually being on the field.
Another big thing were the benefits and mindset. When I joined, I was still a student, and during the interviews it was clear I’d be treated like any other employee – same benefits, same respect, same expectations. At that time, that was far from standard for students.
Taking a job at a start‑up felt like a big leap of faith, but honestly, it was one of those decisions that quietly changes the whole direction of your life. Looking back, I’m really glad I jumped.
How did you get to where you are today at SR? Can you share a pivotal moments that jumpstarted your journey?
Aleksandra: I started in the Accounts Receivable team, then there was a need to grow the FP&A team - from one person to two - and I was offered a role as a financial analyst (first junior, then later promoted). It wasn’t an obvious move for me. I never really pictured myself in a role that wasn’t “pure accounting,” and this felt slightly off my planned path. But I decided to take the opportunity anyway - and that was one of the pivotal moments for me.
In FP&A, I learned to see the big picture: company metrics, how decisions show up in numbers, and how all the pieces connect. That experience prepared me for my current role, where I manage the entire Accounts Receivable process. It’s a completely different feeling to run AR when you understand exactly how your team’s work impacts the P&L, the budget, and the financial plan. It makes even routine tasks feel like part of something much bigger, and that’s very motivating.
How would you advise women who are already working in the tech industry to thrive and grow in their careers?
Aleksandra: I’d say three things.
First, don’t be afraid of change – careers don’t have to be linear, and flexibility really does pay off. Some of my best moves were the ones that didn’t look “logical” on paper at first.
Second, trust the people you work with. You don’t have to carry everything alone. Your colleagues bring a lot to the table, and great things happen when you actually let them.
And finally, speak your mind. Your perspective is valuable, and staying quiet doesn’t protect you – it just hides ideas that could change something for the better.
What’s one myth that people think about what you do as an Accounts Receivable Manager in a modern tech company?
Aleksandra: One myth is that Accounts Receivable is just “chasing invoices” and sending reminders all day. In a modern tech company, AR is much more than that. It’s about understanding customers, making the process smooth for them, and making sure what’s in the contract, the product, and the invoice all match. A lot of my job is actually problem‑solving and partnering with other teams – not sitting with a spreadsheet and nagging people to pay. I like to think of AR as part of the customer experience and part of the company’s strategy: we help keep the cash flowing, but we also protect relationships and make sure the numbers in the P&L tell the right story.
How does using our 'Work from Anywhere' benefit contribute to your personal energy and creativity? How do you plan to structure/how do you structure your day during this time?
Aleksandra: Oh, I just love our Work from Anywhere benefit! I love to travel, so it’s the perfect way to connect work with discovering new places. Spain is my happy place, so I often go there for a week or a bit longer - not as a tourist ticking off sights, but to actually feel what everyday life looks like there.
My routine stays pretty similar: I start work early, tea in hand, just with a much better view. I take breaks on the balcony, in the sun, and after I log off I go for a walk, explore a new area, or try a local restaurant. Changing the environment helps me step out of autopilot - I think more clearly, get new ideas, and come back home feeling both rested and inspired, not just “back from holidays and straight into chaos.” It’s a reminder that you can build a career and still design a life that feels good to live.
What aspects of SmartRecruiters' culture make it a great place for women in tech to thrive?
Aleksandra: For me, SmartRecruiters is a great place for women in tech because it’s led by a woman, and working for a female CEO feels genuinely empowering - it expands what you believe is possible for yourself. There’s also space to grow in different directions: my own path from AR to FP&A and back to leading AR wasn’t a straight line, and it was still supported. That kind of culture lets women try new things, make bold moves, and build a career that actually fits who they are.
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