Do not let yourself be influenced by someone else's opinion, even if it is the most well-meaning

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

Svetlozar Petrov, isone of the founders and manager of JobTiger. In addition, I am a member of several boards of NGOs - Open Society Institute - Sofia, Business Foundation for Education, and the International Duke of Edinburgh Award in Bulgaria. I have been a long-time member of the boards of the American University in Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo University “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” and the Bulgarian Donors Forum.

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

The mission, vision, and values of the company are the result of long internal discussions of the entire team and express what we are all together, what we believe in. Namely:

The mission of the company is to create value for people seeking jobs, businesses, and society.

The vision of the company is to create a world filled with purposeful and inspired people, for whom work is not just a means of livelihood, but a key factor for a happy and fulfilling life.

Values of the company: kindness, self-improvement, competence, creativity, responsibility.

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

I have been with the company since its founding in 2000 – initially as an operational and technical director and after the acquisition of the company by its management in 2005 – as a manager.

The main lesson – business is done with people. The most important thing in a company is the people. And it is as good as the weakest member of the team. I say this not because we are an HR consulting company, it’s just the way it is.

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

I would describe as accurately as possible what his duties are and what we expect from him. Usually, in interviews, I also talk about how demanding and challenging the work is with us. I prefer when the person starts working to have pleasant surprises instead of disappointments from misconceptions that, God forbid, we have led him into.

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

We love and respect each other. We have always had a warm, almost family atmosphere. For this to happen, problems must be discussed openly and with a focus on the problem itself and its solution, without drifting into ad hominem comments. Intrigues and gossip, common in other companies, are nipped in the bud, and that is very important.

Whenever I have lost control of this rule, we have had problems. Over time, the team has liked and appreciated this atmosphere, and now the people in the company strive to maintain it.

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

Colleagues. In moments of triumph and in difficulties – they are the people with whom I share joys and hardships.

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?

Our model is simple. It is generally office-based, but everyone has the freedom to work remotely when needed and desired. I must note that due to the spirit and atmosphere in the office, colleagues prefer to be in the office. So do I.

How do the ongoing technological changes worldwide affect your business?

I, and therefore the company, are early adopters of innovations. We constantly test, think about how each innovation can benefit us, test in a real environment, and what works is implemented. This cycle is quite fast for us, literally hours or days.

This speed and flexibility in business have always helped us cope with difficulties and stay on top.

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

In principle, companies are hierarchical structures and that should be the case. But we have open communication and discuss everything at length and in detail, every idea. In the end, we do what we have decided together. And for me, this is the best strategy - after the discussion, from the very beginning, colleagues have accepted the idea as their own and work towards its realization without hesitation. The opposite leads to at least frustration, and most often to poor results.

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

Career decisions should also rest on the logic of the market, the situation in the world, in Bulgaria, and in the specific business, as well as on in-depth self-assessment. But from there on - believe in yourself and develop in the direction that you like, so that you work with pleasure. Do not let yourself be influenced by someone else's opinion, even if it is the most well-meaning. Work hard and you will succeed.