When launching a startup, success isn’t always guaranteed. However, when you identify a real problem and provide an effective solution, you have the potential to build something transformative. This is exactly what Erik Zhubi has achieved with Peakjobs – a platform that has revolutionized the way employees and businesses connect.
But how did he manage to build a startup that, within just a few months, became a success story and the #1 app on the App Store in Kosovo? In this interview, he shares the lessons learned and his plans for the future.
What inspired you to create Peakjobs? How did the idea for this platform originate?
One of my biggest inspirations was the ambition to create a product that originates from Kosovo and has a regional and international impact. For over a decade, we have been developing technological products for different markets and have had the opportunity to observe firsthand the challenges that labor markets face.
Through this journey, we realized there was a significant gap: workers often claimed there were no jobs, while employers complained about the lack of qualified candidates. This was the turning point when we decided to build a platform that bridges this gap, creating an easy, fast, and transparent approach for all parties involved.
Initially, we developed a solution that offered businesses the flexibility to recruit staff for a few hours, days, or months across different industries. From there, we expanded into key sectors such as hospitality, retail, logistics, manufacturing, technology, e-commerce, events, and more. We created Peakjobs, a platform that not only facilitates flexible employment but also adds value to businesses and individuals through additional modules such as Full-Time Jobs and Peakjobs Search – where employers can find candidates based on skills and experience without posting job listings and start direct communication via chat.
Your platform covers a wide range of industries. How do you identify and recruit businesses to join Peakjobs?
We have focused on sectors where the demand for workers is highest and where flexibility is essential, such as hospitality, retail, logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and technology. After identifying these key sectors, we built a well-structured strategy to reach businesses through various channels:
- LinkedIn to directly contact large businesses.
- Email marketing for small and medium-sized businesses.
- Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to raise awareness.
- Media presence on Kosovo’s major television networks.
The registration process for businesses is extremely simple. Every business can sign up in just a few minutes and enjoy a 30-day free trial, giving them the opportunity to test the platform and see real results.
What kind of feedback have you received from users so far?
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive from both workers and businesses. Employers appreciate the platform’s transparency and easy access to candidate profiles, which include essential details such as experience, skills, and education. They also value the ability to start direct communication through chat and the efficiency the platform brings to the recruitment process.
On the other hand, workers are happy with the opportunity to find jobs that match their skills and needs, often within a short period.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you faced while developing and scaling Peakjobs, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges has been the adoption of technology and online payments. Many businesses in the region are accustomed to traditional methods and often see technology as an additional challenge rather than an opportunity to increase efficiency and performance.
To address this, we have worked closely with clients to educate them on the benefits of using technology and have provided ongoing support for those using the platform. There is still work to be done in this regard, but we believe that over time, the market will fully embrace the value of technology.
Considering the initial success in Kosovo, how do you assess the potential market in other regions? Are you planning international expansion, and which markets are in your focus?
Kosovo has been a great pilot market for us, helping us understand the needs of businesses and workers. Starting from January 22, 2025, we will expand to Albania, and soon after, we plan to enter North Macedonia. Other markets in our focus include Greece and Bulgaria, countries with high demand for innovative employment solutions. International expansion is part of our vision to make Peakjobs a well-known platform across the region and beyond.
How do you manage security and privacy challenges in a platform that involves recruitment and employee data management?
Security and privacy are the core pillars on which Peakjobs is built. Since our platform handles personal and professional data from thousands of users, we have set high standards to protect them. We have implemented the latest security technologies in compliance with European GDPR regulations and global data protection laws.
Every candidate and business using the platform undergoes multiple verification processes, including phone number authentication and identity document checks. These measures not only enhance security but also ensure the quality and seriousness of users on the platform. Additionally, sensitive data is stored on secure servers and encrypted, minimizing any risk of privacy breaches.
How do you see the role of technology in transforming how people connect with work through Peakjobs? Do you think technology is changing the perception of employment?
Technology has revolutionized the way people work and how companies recruit. In our region, we have observed that many individuals and businesses are still stuck in traditional processes where information is often scattered across different platforms, leading to inefficiencies.
Peakjobs has changed this dynamic by introducing a centralized and user-friendly approach. Thanks to technology, we have enabled workers to create personalized profiles and professionally showcase their skills. Now, they can discover opportunities that were previously invisible to them and enter a much faster and more transparent recruitment process.
For companies, technology has simplified recruitment management – from candidate selection to final hiring decisions. We strongly believe that technology is not only changing the perception of employment but is also creating a fairer and more efficient job market where individuals have more control over their careers and businesses can enhance their growth capacity.
What are some of the innovations you plan to introduce in the future to keep Peakjobs at the forefront of the recruitment market?
Our future innovations focus on automation and maximum personalization of the recruitment process. Some of our key upcoming features include:
- AI-powered Virtual Assistant – This system will help workers optimize their profiles and suggest suitable job opportunities based on their skills and interests. For businesses, AI will assist in filtering the most suitable candidates and planning recruitment strategies.
- Peakjobs Search – An advanced module that allows businesses to search directly for specific candidates in our database without posting job listings.
- Virtual Interviews and Automated Assessments – We are working on a system that enables online interviews directly on the platform and generates automated reports on candidates, saving time and resources.
These innovations are part of our commitment to keeping Peakjobs as the most advanced recruitment platform in the market.
What do you think has contributed the most to the rapid success of the app, making it the top-ranked app in Kosovo’s App Store?
Our rapid success is the result of several key factors:
- Focus on flexibility and transparency – We have built a platform that meets real user needs. Our message that workers can choose where, how, and when they work has strongly resonated with them.
- Powerful and targeted marketing – The use of social media and traditional media has helped Peakjobs quickly reach a wide audience.
- Intuitive design and ease of use – The app is designed to be simple for everyone, regardless of their level of technological expertise.
Together with these factors, our continuous effort to improve the platform and support our users at every step has helped the app gain market trust and become a success story in a short time.
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