Do not trust promises, but actively seek new opportunities

Introduce yourself in a few words..

My name is Tsvetomir Mihaylov and I work as a Business Analyst in the Cloud Operations department of a Canadian telecommunications company Mitel. Currently, I am studying for a master's degree at the University of Library Science and Information Technologies – UniBIT with a specialization in “Artificial Intelligence and Data Processing”. I have international experience of over 7 years in corporations with over 100k employees worldwide. I hold various certifications in Project Management - Advanced Agile with Scrum “SoftUni”, Business Communications “Lufthansa Technic Sofia”, Change Management “Mitel” and certifications in Soft skills in the field of business and aviation.

How would you describe your career in a few words?

For me, stability and the opportunity for development in a company is the most important criterion for my career. The last 7 years of my professional journey have been filled with many turbulence, challenges, and interesting opportunities. I have changed several companies, participated in migrations and acquisitions from other companies, but this has brought me a lot of experience and knowledge, which are valuable in today’s dynamic world. In every position I have held, I have tried to give my all to learn how the business works, to provide advice and opinions to colleagues, managers, and the leadership of the department in which I work. This helps not only for my critical thinking in stressful situations but also for collaboration and communication at every level in the company.

What was the most important choice that shaped your path?

The path I take, I always strive to be filled with challenges. The more challenges I encounter along my way, the more I learn and gain experience. This experience in every subsequent position and field always helps me, opens new doors and opportunities, and most importantly, contacts with people of different experiences and knowledge.

What would you like to know at the beginning of your career, but no one told you?

Staying in the comfort zone and not making decisions leads to monotony in work and not to the expected development in career terms. The more difficulties we go through, the more expertise we gain, which in the future is key to the desired place for development. Choose mentors whom you want to emulate in career terms, learn from them, ask them complex and uncomfortable questions, see how they think and what decisions they make, and try to filter them through your own lens to absorb the most valuable from them.

How can a person understand which profession is suitable for him?

There are people who from a young age know what they want to work in and what they want to do. If you are like me, one of those who to this day are not 100% convinced about what is the right thing to do for the rest of their lives. Try changing teams, companies, positions until you find your niche; every mistake or wrong decision leads to valuable knowledge and experience that others may not have, and that will be your advantage!

Which skills do you think will be key in the next 10 years?

With the rise of artificial intelligence, I believe that technical skills are essential to stay relevant in the job market and to be valuable to employers. Cybersecurity, machine learning, data processing and manipulation will be trends in the IT field. Therefore, I am currently striving with my master’s degree in “Artificial Intelligence” to acquire the necessary knowledge and experience to apply them in the work process.

How to build a network of useful contacts without appearing interested?

My advice is to develop your profile on the LinkedIn platform, which I always strive to keep updated information about myself.

What is the biggest mistake you have made in your career, and what did you learn from it?

I think that the biggest mistake is to work in a team and company that we do not like and do not provide the dreamed realization and springboard in our career development. Another big mistake is to wait for the following words “Wait a little longer, a promotion is coming your way,” and it never comes. Wait for upcoming training, business trips, next time it’s your turn, etc. Many of the managers I have worked with skillfully present us with a rosy future that never comes, no matter how long we wait for it.

How to recognize a toxic work environment and when is it time to leave?

I have worked in a toxic work environment. My advice is to take everything we can in professional terms (Training, workshops, business trips, participation in various working groups, projects, etc.) without focusing on the bad sides. After we assess that we have provided everything possible in good faith to the team and the company we work for, it is time to look for new opportunities.

What would you do differently if you could start over?

I wouldn’t change anything! The path traveled is the key to success and gaining experience. Every single hard situation builds your character and skills, which you will have in the future. It’s not important what position you are in, but how you treat the people you work with and want one day to respond with the same spark, inspiration, and positive emotions to pass on your experience and enthusiasm to the next generation.

How to maintain our motivation in times of stagnation?

Each one of us, one day will find themselves in such a situation  my opinion is that through various personal trainings, new education, seminars, participation in communities and various social initiatives, we can pull ourselves out of the comfort zone or the so-called stagnation. Setting new goals in professional terms also helps to boost our motivation.

How to achieve a balance between professional and personal life?

For me, balance is achieved through working from home or a hybrid model. I advise all of you to find your hobby to relieve the daily stress of work or at home. With this goal, I created my Golf Academy #Mihaylov’s Golf Academy, which you can find on our page here www.linkedin.com/company/mihaylov’s-golf-academy, which we will further develop in business branding. This is a family initiative that my wife and I took on; she is the first woman professional Golf coach in Bulgaria. We offer golf training from beginners to professionals from 4 years old to 100 years old!😊

When is it time to change our career, and not just our job?

When we reach the top of our career and there is no position higher than ours or the company does not plan to give us one. I think that is the moment when we can start something new or direct ourselves towards another field. A new startup in a new and unknown field for us.

If you had to give just one piece of advice to people who are seeking success, what would it be?

Do not give up, keep trying, again and again!

Failure - this is just an opportunity to start over, but already more wisely.  

 “ Henry Ford"

What is your definition of a “successful career”?

Satisfaction from our work that makes us happy and achieves our dreams and goals. The quote that corresponds most accurately according to my views:

Success - this is the opportunity to wake up in the morning and fall asleep at night, managing to do between these two events what you really enjoy.            

“Bob Dylan“