It is important to have a clear picture of our career development

Introduce yourself in a few words..

In short - with over 14 years of experience in business, I have a primary focus on B2B service sales, as well as team management in the field of human resources. For the last more than ten years, I have been actively working in the IT outsourcing sector in Bulgaria. I have completed two master's degrees at TU-Varna – Industrial Management and Microsoft Information Technologies. My last position was in an international IT company that operates in over 10 countries and I held the role of Site Manager & CEE Talent Acquisition Manager. Additionally, I was a municipal councilor in Varna from 2019 to 2023, as well as a member of the Public Council of the professional high school of economics in the city. In 2020, I received the greatest recognition – the title of senator in the international non-governmental organization Junior Chamber International (JCI), represented in over 110 countries. As a hobby, I strive to share my experience with the young and present practice and knowledge at various events in schools and universities, as well as go to the gym and swim.

How would you describe your career in a few words?

Dynamic and at the same time perhaps not at the pace I wanted it to happen.

What was the most important choice that shaped your path?

Even in my student years – the moment when I was studying more to be a programmer, I realized that my strength is in communication with people. At that time, in my first job, I started to develop as a Business Development Manager for the region of Eastern Bulgaria in a company offering corporate training with high international standards.

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

Somehow, 15 years ago, there was no one to tell me to try more and not to be so afraid of failure. At that time, this dynamic did not yet exist, and many people were long-term employees of companies and institutions. I had acquaintances who shared with me how they had worked for 17 years in the same position at one and the same bank (of course, there is nothing wrong with that), but in my mind, the desire to develop more and to compete to achieve successes burned with full force.

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

One can go through various tests by career consultants, one can chat with Chat GPT and follow the guiding questions and respond intuitively, but the most important thing is to act – just try various fields and professions. This is the most reliable way to find your own.

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

More and more, teamwork, communication, our ability to quickly learn new things, and a very important thing is – adaptability. The latter is not exactly a skill, but it is of extremely important significance for all people. If we do not adapt to the rapidly changing environment, if we cannot learn quickly and change, the chance of falling behind is huge.

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

This is about persistence – participation in various business and networking events, activity in professional networks – LinkedIn, XING for German speakers, periodic publications, and regularly following serious sources of information about trends in business and digitalization.

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

I wouldn't say that I have made mistakes. At times, perhaps I did not have enough courage to try something new, but overall, everything that has happened so far has been exactly in the right way for me.

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

Hmm, definitely a rather sensitive topic – this is always felt, and especially in larger corporations, there are bound to be more envious people and those who are capable of creating intrigues. But this is part of human nature – I have always believed that one should try everything possible to find a way to improve relationships with characters who bring more drama and toxicity into the work environment. Every person experiences different things and usually has a logical explanation for every such state. After all, work is ¼ of our overall existence, and at any moment when we feel more stress on ourselves, we can orient ourselves towards seeking something different, whether in our current company or outside of it. The book Principles by Ray Dalio offers numerous advice and an interesting system for existing in a business organization.

What would you do differently if you could start over?

If I can start over, it means I am not satisfied with what has happened so far, there is always more that can be done, but as I said, I believe I am on the path I should be on. Action, dedication to work, focus, and consistency – that is my secret.

How to maintain our motivation in times of stagnation?

Motivation should be replaced with the word discipline. Even in times of stagnation, if we do not let off the gas pedal, acting responsibly on all our work tasks, being as active as possible in various events and activities of the company we represent, then things should happen. There is a rule that the most critical times are usually the third and fifth years. Of course, in the period of a year and a half, two, if a person does not feel that things are happening correctly for him, regarding his work characteristics, skills, dedication, then he can always initiate and constantly gather feedback from his direct supervisor and closer colleagues. It is important to always have a clear picture of our progress and movement in work processes.

How to achieve a balance between professional and personal life?

Personally, I am not a suitable example for this and I would not want to answer specifically – I tend to fall into extremes – either I focus too much on work and only come home to sleep, or I feel that I need a bigger break before my brain has “totally burned out” and I take advantage of that. Something I have learned from my years of professional development is regarding taking vacations – they are meant for a person to truly rest and are not for repairs, or to finish work tasks within half a day, while in the other half…to do something else. A person should plan such days off well and really take advantage of them, to unload the brain, so that he is even more useful after returning from them.

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

For myself, I would say that I might be exactly in such a period. Changes periodically are a good thing. Listening to my intuition, sometimes it just comes time for change. And in these dynamic times, there are often series of layoffs. Whatever the reason, it is good for a person to reorient quickly or if he has the opportunity to give himself enough time to think things through and be sure of his next steps. Of course, the reality in Bulgaria can sometimes be harsher, especially in smaller towns, where there are fewer career opportunities and lower salaries, people do not have much choice unless they move to another larger location. Everyone should assess and always seek what is best for themselves.

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

Just to take action. In the word action lies everything – you act and are persistent, following your goal. And yes – also to write down your goals, specifying specific dates for their achievement. Because a goal without a deadline is just a dream on paper.

What is your definition of a “successful career”?

To feel good in your own skin, to feel satisfied with your work, to be in a good environment with colleagues who share similar visions with you about what is happening, and to come home at the end of the day, telling yourself that you are satisfied with your current situation, whether it is regarding work tasks, working hours, compensation, company, position, and whatever else. Everything taken together, because a person should always go to bed at night with a sense of purpose and wake up with a desire for life.