The name of my role in the company came as a suggestion from ChatGPT

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

They call me Yo. That's how I introduce myself - short, open, and with open arms: “Nice to meet you - Yo.” Because I really enjoy it. Otherwise, at my parents' request - Yoana Atanasova. At my own request - part of Manpower Bulgaria in the role of HR Innovation Partner. The name of the role came from ChatGPT. The functions – from the collective agreement, that we have something to give in the name of common success. Or in other words - everything related to communication with the people inside and with the people outside (workshops, events, internal initiatives for the people, etc.). AI is also a serious part of my daily life - how it works in HR, what it means for us, how to use it. And what I learn, I pass on.

The feeling of community is a mission that I recognize - only this way do we bring our worldviews closer. How? Through experiences and shared spaces of knowledge, experience, views. I believe, that if we need to develop a single skill in this world of constant changes - it is communication. With ourselves and with others.

How many years have you completed in the company? How do you feel in it and what does this stage mean for you?

3 years. On paper - nothing time. Experienced - three times. I started cautiously - “let's dip our toes in”, today I am in my own waters - free, and the unknown horizon - still challenging. That's how I feel too - free and challenged. Challenged to invent new paths and the freedom to draw them. And this, in this personal moment of my professional journey, means everything.

What are the most memorable moments or achievements from your time here so far?

I won't list appointments, achieved goals, events, or trainings. What really remains are the people. The formal and informal mentors, the like-minded, the friends. And the lessons of patience, humility, and “what else can be done and what is best”.

I haven't stopped changing. To change forms, consciousness, behavior. And I don't like change. So, maybe, I can call myself brave. And I take great pride in that.

What motivates you to stay and develop specifically in this organization?

Words are my superpower. And here I can be an open superhero. I am motivated by the freedom to express myself, the autonomy and flexibility - to have space for education, travel, experiences, challenges, meaning. I am motivated by the personalities I encounter at work - diverse, genuine, each with their unique story.

How has your professional path changed from day one until now – and what has it taught you?

I started as an intern “Selection”, and a week later I was already conducting interviews on my own (did I tell you - words are my strength ;)).

I first learned to use my voice to steal attention. Then - to listen actively, to keep it. This is how I learned to understand what the business wants, but does not say; what the person (the candidate) wants, but hides. And how to convince both sides that they are “the one for each other”, when they themselves do not see it.

Over time, my curiosity about AI grew into project management - “How does it work? What do we need it for? How is it useful to us?”. This led to internal and external trainings. Interest in leadership and creating experiences intensified (a passion since my time in the NGO sector). Today I don't do selection, but the knowledge from there is irreplaceable - it introduced me to different industries, teams, cultures, strategies, and experiences.

 What are your aspirations moving forward – both for yourself and for the team or company you are part of?

I have answered the question “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” many times, and each time the answer is different. Not because I lack direction, but because I do not measure it in titles or organizations. I measure it in a sense of contribution and meaning.

We have a dream (plural, because it is shared). To build a community that fills that gap between the demands of business and the reality in which the young grow - a chasm between what they should “be able to do”, and what someone has actually taught them. It may sound mysterious, but it makes sense.

And at this very moment, my aspiration is simple: to wake up tomorrow, to feel whole and ready for the people and events that await me. And while we are together with the current organization, to be useful and fulfilling, for those who expect from us. The rest will come. In its time and in its light.