The most meaningful connections are those to which you have no expectations

Introduce yourself in a few words..

I am Milena Hristova – a person who believes that coincidences are rarely random, and that effort is never in vain. My career is like a long conversation with life – sometimes logical, sometimes ironic, but always with a cause. I love to seek meaning between the lines, to see people beyond their CVs, and to believe that every “right place” finds us when we are ready for it. I have a weakness for warm coffee, great stories, and those moments when you say to yourself: "Yes, this is my thing."

It’s no surprise that I am involved in recruitment – and more specifically in the human side of selection. I founded ImpacT Hire to prove that with the right philosophy, selection can be not just a service, but a meaningful process that creates value for both people and businesses.

How would you describe your career in a few words?

As a path filled with searching, awareness, and courage. At first, I was driven by a strong motivation and a desire to prove myself – both to myself and to the opportunities. Over time, this changed. I went through different stages and environments that enriched me, but also provoked me to look inward and ask myself: “What if instead of waiting for the right system – I create it?” That’s how my desire was born to build an environment where work reflects my beliefs, because the reality we live in starts from the way we choose to act.

What was the most important choice that shaped your path?

The most important choice was the one I made not in a moment of certainty, but in a moment of inner tension and a feeling that something needed to change. This was the moment I shared a little earlier, when I chose not to wait for someone else to create the right environment, but to take responsibility and create such an environment myself – with a clear vision, sustainable principles, and a desire for something greater than myself.

The choice to found ImpacT Hire was not just a professional decision – it was an inner necessity. After years of gathering experience, observations, and understanding of the needs and gaps in the industry, the realization came that if I wanted to work in a way that I believe in, I needed to create the place where this way is possible.

This was not an easy choice – there were many unknowns, and the security of the "beaten path" is always tempting. But I believe that the strongest decisions are not born in calmness, but in the pursuit of something more meaningful. This choice gave me the freedom to turn my vision into reality and reminded me that when we choose to believe in ourselves, even the impossible begins to seem possible and achievable.

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

That there is no universal script and that the "right path" is not always straightforward. I would have liked someone to whisper to me that mistakes are not failures, but invitations to growth. And most importantly – that I don’t have to fit into an environment where I don’t feel like myself.

Over time, I realized that effort does not always yield immediate results, but it is never in vain – it builds character and sharpens direction. I learned that our value is not measured only in titles and results, but in how we deal with doubts, how we approach others, and what kind of imprint we leave behind.

If I could turn back time, I would tell myself: “Be brave. Ask even more questions. Don’t wait for approval to act. And remember – sometimes searching is just as important as finding.”

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

For me, the right approach is like a puzzle – you find the answer when you put together two important pieces: what you love to do, and what you are good at.

It sounds simple, but it requires awareness. It’s important to give ourselves time to take stock – which activities energize us, what brings us satisfaction, which tasks make us lose track of time… And alongside this – what we actually do well, what qualities and skills set us apart from others.

Where these two things meet – between passion and strength – usually lies the profession that not only “works,” but makes sense. And when you start to feel that your work brings energy instead of taking it away – it means you are close.

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

Looking ahead, one thing is certain – changes will continue to happen at the pace of technology, and the market will remain dynamic, even chaotic at times. In such a reality, it is not the specific technology, but the ability to adapt to new environments, roles, and requirements that will be the most valuable resource.

Adaptability is no longer a “soft skill” – it is the new strategic superpower. Whether it’s a developer, engineer, product manager, or recruiter – success will depend on how quickly people learn, how they accept feedback, and whether they can recalibrate without losing motivation and direction.

In the world of technology, where tools change at lightning speed, flexible thinking, curiosity, and a willingness to learn continuously will be fundamental. Areas like cloud engineering, data analysis, cybersecurity, AI/ML, or DevOps will be in demand, but they won’t mean much if not supported by emotional maturity, ethics, and teamwork skills.

The more technological the world becomes, the more people will be valued who can translate the complex into understandable language, listen, and lead dialogue. And in recruitment, this has always been the difference between a “good” and “irreplaceable” candidate. In other words – in a world where everything is changing, the ability to remain resilient, yet flexible, will be the most important. Not to fear the new, but to greet it with the thought: “What can I learn from this?”

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

Everything starts from the desire to connect with people, not from the need to get something from them. When we communicate with openness, attention, and respect for the person across from us, relationships build naturally – effortlessly, and authentically.

My personal experience has taught me that the most meaningful contacts come when you simply listen, show interest, offer help, or share something valuable without expecting anything in return.

Here are a few things that help:

Ø  Be sincere. You don’t need to impress – it’s enough to be actively present.

Ø  Act with the idea of contribution – even a small gesture or a kind word can open a door.

Ø  Maintain contact not only when you need something.

Ø  Be interested in people, not just their positions. Everyone carries their own story, and it is in these stories that the real connections lie.

When you approach with humanity, connections not only happen – they are remembered.

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

Before, I lived with the idea that effort alone is enough. That if you give everything of yourself, if you don't give up and remain loyal, things will fall into place sooner or later. This belief has made me stay too long in environments and situations where my intuition quietly whispered that I was not in the right place.

With time and experience, I learned that effort makes sense only when it is directed in the right direction. That not every battle needs to be fought to the end if the cost is your own peace, development, or sense of purpose.

I learned to distinguish when to fight and when to walk away with dignity. I realized that this is not weakness, but one of the greatest human strengths.

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

The toxic environment does not always scream – sometimes it whispers. It undermines your confidence quietly but persistently. It is recognized by the feeling that whatever you do, it is never enough. That your voice is not heard, your efforts remain invisible, and your boundaries are blurred.

If you increasingly doubt yourself, lose the joy of work, and start to “survive” instead of developing – this is no longer just a difficult period, but a signal.

It is time to leave when you have given change a chance, but it does not come.

What would you do differently if you could start over?

I would believe more in myself from the very beginning. And I would say “no” more often – not out of ego, but out of respect for myself and my time.

Despite this, although it may sound cliché, I would not want to change my past. It has shaped me – with all the lessons, doubts, and unexpected turns. If it weren't for it, I might not have reached this point with the same clarity and depth.

How to maintain our motivation in times of stagnation?

By stopping to seek it at all costs. Sometimes stagnation is not a step back, but a pause in which we gather strength for the next growth.

It is important to remind ourselves why we started and not to confuse silence with a lack of progress. Motivation is not always euphoria – sometimes it is just faith that even slow steps lead us where we want to go.

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

When we feel that even in the best company, in a great team, something inside us remains quiet and disengaged. When we do not feel exhausted by the environment, but by the very idea of what we are doing.

When we are inspired only by other things – topics, people, activities, that have nothing to do with our current profession.

And most importantly – when our dreams no longer fit within the framework of our current role.

Sometimes the direction we have taken is no longer the place we want to reach – and that is completely okay.

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

Do not chase success – seek meaning. Success will come as a natural result of dedication to something greater than yourself.

What is your definition of a “successful career”?

When your career is not just a list of titles and achievements, but evidence that you have lived in sync with yourself. That you have followed your values, even when it was harder. That you said "yes" when it made sense, and "no" when it was needed.

Success for me is not just where you have reached, but how you got there. Whether you have kept your curiosity. Whether you have inspired without burning out. Whether you have left an impact – not only in results but in the people you walked with.

If looking back, you can say that you have developed but also preserved yourself – then you have not just made a career, but something truly meaningful.