Sometimes confidence comes after the first step, not before it

Introduce yourself in a few words..

My name is Milena Hristova and I am founder and CEO of ImpacT Hire – an IT recruitment agency with character, vision, and a distinctly different approach. We do not just fill positions – we aim to create real matches and connections between people and companies. By profession, I am a career consultant, and by soul – a seeker of meaning and strong stories in the world of human potential and the work choices that shape our lives.

Tell us what the philosophy and values of the company you currently represent are?

The agency was born not just as a business idea, but as a natural response to an internal need – to create a working model in which recruitment is not just a hiring process, but the creation of meaningful connections between people and organizations. Our philosophy is that long-term success for both companies and professionals begins with a deep understanding of the needs, potential, and expectations of both sides.

The values that build the foundation of the agency are:

Ø  Transparency: We share reality as it is – with respect, but without illusions. This builds trust, and trust is our currency.

Ø  Professionalism with soul: We approach with high standards, but also with empathy. We know that every decision in recruitment affects someone's life – and we carry this responsibility consciously.

Ø  Adaptability: The world of IT is changing rapidly, but the main principle remains: if you want to be helpful, you must listen, learn, and develop together with your clients and candidates.

Ø  Quality over quantity: For us, success is not measured by the number of sent CVs, but by the right meetings between people and opportunities.

ImpacT Hire is built on the belief that value-based recruitment is not about “filling positions”, but about building a future. And when we work with this perspective, the results do not delay – neither for the business nor for the people in it.

How long have you been developing your current company? What are the most valuable lessons that the events of this period have taught you?

The agency has existed for several years, but I have carried the idea within me for much longer. I started the company with the desire to create a model in which recruitment is driven by meaning, respect, and sustainability – and to this day, this remains the core of our work.

The most valuable lessons did not come from successes, but from the moments when things did not go “as planned”. I learned to trust my intuition more, to be flexible, but also consistent in my principles. I realized that the team is not just a resource, but a living organism that needs care, direction, and inspiration.

Over time, I realized that developing a company is not just a business task – it is a deep personal process. It requires honesty, patience, the ability to learn, as well as the courage to act, even when there are no guarantees.

And perhaps most importantly – I learned that when you create something with people in mind, the value always comes back. Sometimes not immediately. But always in time.

If you personally had to write a job advertisement, how would you attract the attention of a future employee?

I would start with something very simple, but honest: “We are looking for not just a colleague, but a person who wants to have a voice, to matter, and to participate in something bigger than just another workday.”

I do not believe in standard ads filled with clichés and promises. I believe in clarity, specificity, and inviting the person to recognize themselves in the cause, not just in the responsibilities. I would speak about what we are – a team that works hard, laughs a lot, learns constantly, and is not afraid of its mistakes.

I would attract attention with sincerity, with respect for the time and personality of the candidate, and with an invitation to those who do not just seek a job, but a role with perspective and meaning.

And most importantly – I would promise that with us, you will not be “just another in the team”, but part of a process in which every opinion has weight, every idea can become a reality, and every person develops at their own pace and direction.

What does your company do to organize a constructive and beneficial working environment for everyone? Should people in the collective be friends?

In the agency we believe that a productive environment is created not only with offices and rewards, but also with a sense of belonging, trust, and respect. It is important for us that people feel heard, seen, and free to be themselves – not only as professionals but also as individuals.

We strive for a culture in which mistakes are not punished, but discussed. In which feedback is not criticism, but an invitation for growth. And in which the success of one is a reason for joy for all – not for competition.

Should we be friends? Not necessarily. But we must respect each other, be able to laugh together, and help each other. If friendship is born from this – wonderful. But the most important thing for us is that there is humanity, professionalism, and a sense of "we".

 

    What makes you enjoy going to work? How do you handle difficult and stressful moments?

What inspires me the most is the feeling that I am doing something meaningful – that through my work I am truly changing people's lives, helping them find their place, and companies – the right partners. The fact that every meeting, every appointment, every “we did it!” has weight makes my days fulfilling.

Equally important is my team – because we are different, but we move in one direction. Because there is laughter, support, and that feeling that we can speak honestly to each other.

And when difficult moments come (and they always do), I try to breathe deeply – sometimes literally. I remind myself why I started what I do, and I give myself a little time. Sometimes a conversation with a team member, a kind word from a client, or even a coffee break with thought in silence is enough.

What work model does your company adhere to – office or remote? What do you think about the possibility of offering options for flexible working hours, within which employees have greater freedom to balance their personal and work commitments?

In ImpacT Hire we believe that trust and responsibility are not measured in hours in front of a screen or presence in an office. We work entirely remotely because for us, it is not the place, but the meaning and quality of work that are leading.

We adhere to a model with a high degree of flexibility – because we believe that people give their best when they have the freedom to balance between their professional and personal rhythm. Flexible working hours for us are not a privilege, but a logical continuation of a culture based on mutual respect and clearly shared expectations.

Every person has their own way of working, their own peaks of concentration, their life commitments – and we respect that. For us, it is important not when and where work is done, but what the person achieves.

Freedom creates engagement – and when there is trust and meaning, results follow naturally.

How do the ongoing technological changes in the world affect your business?

Technological changes are a constant background in our world – especially when you work in a highly competitive environment with IT specialists. The truth is that sometimes it is hard to keep up with the pace, but that is part of the game – to always be alert, to observe the market, to learn, and to adapt on the go.

For us, these changes are not a threat, but an invitation to think more flexibly and to develop our services in sync with reality. We believe that we cannot be a good partner to companies and candidates if we do not deeply understand the context in which they operate. That is why we invest a lot of time in training, in tracking trends, and in continuous dialogue with people from the industry.

Being adaptable today is not just a competitive advantage – it is a basic condition for survival. And we do not just survive – we try to lead with quality, awareness, and the ability to hear both the needs of the business and the voices of the people behind it.

How important is hierarchy and what does it mean for you? What kind of communication do you advocate in your company?

For me, hierarchy makes sense when it exists as a structure, not as a wall. It can provide clarity, responsibilities, and direction, but it should not stifle spontaneity, ideas, and the voices of people.

In the agency we believe in flat and open communication – everyone has the right to an opinion, regardless of their position. The best ideas often come from the people who work “on the ground” – that is why we create a culture in which there is no fear to ask, to share, to disagree.

I prefer dialogue, not orders. Feedback in both directions. Care, but also clarity. Because when people feel heard, they also feel responsible – not because they “have to”, but because they want.

What is your career advice for all people building a strategy for their professional development?

Do not start with “is it worth it”, but with “does it make sense for me”. The most sustainable strategy is the one that is aligned not only with the market but also with your values, interests, and personal rhythm.

Building a career is not a linear path, but a series of conscious choices, corrections, and sometimes bold turns. Therefore, be open to change, but also stick to what is important to you.

Don't wait for the "perfect moment" – it often comes in the form of a challenge, not an invitation. Act, even when you are not 100% ready – sometimes confidence comes after the first step, not before it.

And last but not least – seek a environment where you will not only grow, but will also be allowed to be yourself. Success is not just an achievement, but the feeling that you are in the right place with your own definition of what it looks like.