1. Tell us about your education and your first job.
I have a bachelor's degree with a professional qualification "Engineer-Manager", a master's degree in industrial management, and other additional specializations.
The specialties I studied at the university were focused on the management of enterprises, as well as their functional areas – marketing, finance, human resources, innovation, organization, organizational behavior, business communications, etc.
Later, I underwent specializations in Human Resources, which went hand in hand with my professional realization in this field.
Education does not end with university; one learns throughout one's life. We will always face new challenges and trials, no matter how much we learn and gain knowledge from our work and life. And to deal with them effectively, we must learn something new.
I am constantly looking for ways to upgrade my knowledge and try to apply everything I have learned in my work, as well as on a personal level. I follow current trends in the field, watch podcasts, exchange information with colleagues, attend conferences, etc.
My first job was starting a family business during my studies at university. It was a great challenge for me to take responsibility for starting a new project, building a customer network, marketing, and market enforcement. When you have your own business, you cannot concentrate only in one area, which was a big plus for my development. I gained a wide range of knowledge that I still apply in my work to this day.
I love challenging myself, starting and building something from scratch, which was also the main reason I took the path of Human Resources. I received an offer to start an even larger project with a foreign investment, which at that stage I could not refuse. I rolled up my sleeves and started working, while at the same time being trained by selected specialists in the field. We successfully implemented this project; I went through all the intricacies of the profession, solved complex cases, met thousands of people, and realized that this is mine.
2. What are the moments in your career that you have the most vivid memories of and find most important?
All the moments in my career I consider important because they have given me a lot professionally and personally. Over the years, I have encountered various cases and situations that helped me build upon.
Working in the IT field has given me many different and positive experiences. Moving into new roles and the expectations that come with them, culture and people are indispensable.
One of the things that stands out is the COVID-19 pandemic, which has accelerated employees' HR requirements to meet physical and mental health needs. The crisis has also made the creation of more flexible HR models a reality. I had to adapt very quickly to the new reality, to be more creative and to expand the scope of strategic thinking about the workforce.
3. How did you start working for VSG Bulgaria?
I was still on parental leave and decided to apply as a joke without even being sure that I wanted to end my motherhood. The position was announced through an external HR consulting company. At my first meetings with the VSG management, I realized that this is my place. I was very well received by everyone. They are very friendly, welcoming, but I was most impressed by the friendly atmosphere in the company. Incredibly good and communicative colleagues, ready to always help, friendly, without exception, it is difficult to build as a culture and to preserve in time.
4. What are your responsibilities today?
Everything related to human resources management in the company is part of my duties.
5. What have been the biggest challenges so far in your career and what have you learned from them?
The biggest challenge for me was Covid and the changes that were imposed on us in a brief time, without the possibility of pre-planning. I started working in the company in early March, and two weeks later they closed down the whole country and we switched to work from home. Until then, I did not know I could work outside the office for more than a few days. New measures and constraints have made it necessary to quickly adapt and find new ways to connect our teams, care for their well-being and mental health. I faced a whole new reality and way of working, and I did not even know all my colleagues. It was a challenge that helped me learn a lot of new things.
6. We are sure that your team is essential. How do you form it? What kind of people do you want to attract to your team and what qualities do you value in them?
I will share the values of the company, which in themselves say a lot:
- Do the right thing We believe that we can be successful if we are good people. We will come to your help and look forward to the beautiful in a tough time for us. Stand up for your highest moral position and you will be appreciated
- Do whatever it takes Every day is a battle and good steel is forged in fire. Be inexorable, unbending and your journey will take you to new heights. Always be persistent in your pursuit of self-sufficiency and perfection.
- Will to improve We believe that every successful person never stops improving. Learn and practice new skills and knowledge every day. Your only true competitor is yesterday's self.
- Have fun! - Enjoy what you do every day and have fun!
We strive to attract people who have the desire and potential for development. We believe that if a person has a desire for development, she/he can achieve it, and we try to provide the best possible environment and opportunities for this to happen.
We value qualities such as kindness, honesty, perseverance, positivity, persistence, communicativeness. We strive to maintain a good and friendly environment, as well as the trust we have built so far.
7. What would you not compromise on?
Especially with myself and the things I believe in.
8. What are the key skills that you think a manager must possess to manage the employees of a large company today?
The ability to build trust in the team is leading, so that everyone can work effectively together and to increase engagement. The manager must be able to encourage the development of his team and give timely feedback. To think about the future, to see the "Big Picture" and to be open to changes, novelties, new strategies, and anticipation of trends.
9. For a successful leader, work-life balance is important. How do you relax and what energizes you?
I am energized by the activities and games with my children. We play together, ride bikes, run and have fun. We love to travel and visit different destinations every year. On weekends, we hike in the mountains, go on a picnic, or find other pleasant activities outside.
10. What are your sources of inspiration?
I am inspired by people, their experiences, successes, and feedback. I love communicating with them, and they are my main inspiration after my family.
From the perspective of today's experience, would you change anything along the way of your career?
I would not change anything. Everything I have been through is valuable to me.
11. How do you imagine the development of the HR function in the coming years?
The HR function requires managing the changes that the business and the situation in the country impose. Care for people and strategic planning will intensify even further in the coming years. The digitalization of HR processes will be strengthened and especially the introduction of software solutions for fully digitized management of labor relations.
