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With the end of the year comes the end of our beloved series. For the finale, we've brought you the answers of a girl who is equally good at working with young children and finding the right fit for each candidate. Her story is proof that when you want something, there is a way. Without telling any more, we leave you to enjoy the answers of Violina Dimitrova - recruitment assistant in our company.

Hi, Vili! We would like to learn more about you. Can you tell us how a day of yours goes?

My daily life is full of dynamics and many activities that follow a pre-structured schedule. I am a children's teacher by profession and actively practice this profession, while also fulfilling my duties as a recruiter at Trenkwalder. I am married and a mother of two children. I love cooking and painting. I do sports three times a week. So far I have successfully combined all my commitments and enjoy the opportunity to be useful to people through my work and efforts.

What is the biggest challenge you face in your work?

The challenge is finding committed, responsible and honest people.

Can you share a difficult situation you have encountered in recruitment and how you resolved it?

One of the most challenging situations I've encountered has to do with client feedback. I've had cases where there are candidates available and an expressed desire to work together, but no feedback from the client. In such cases, I do my best to make contact with the client using different channels of communication. I organise meetings to improve our work together and build a more effective collaboration.

What mistakes do candidates most often make during an interview?

Many candidates have demands on the respective company and expect a high salary that does not match their competencies.

What catches your attention first when looking at a candidate's CV?

The photo. 🙂

What don't you like to see in a resume?

I don't hate anything, but I don't like freestyle descriptions.

What is the most important thing that makes you believe in a candidate and give them a chance, even if they don't have the right experience?

The interest and desire to develop.

What three pieces of advice would you give your candidates to get through an interview successfully?

Don't be late for an interview.

Write down the important things.

Stay patient and positive.

What are the main criteria employers have been paying attention to in recent months?

Employers insist on prepared candidates ready to start right away.

What is the best interview attire? What clothes would you recommend to leave a good impression?

I always go for black - it's a safe choice that you can't go wrong with.

What is the difference between a good candidate and a suitable candidate for a position?

A good candidate is willing to compromise, while a suitable candidate is willing to make decisions.

What are the main reasons why companies miss out on good candidates?

They have too high requirements for the position.

They don't provide a motivating salary.

Don't provide security and stability.

Which field is currently most in demand and dynamic?

The IT sector is one of the most sought after and dynamic fields right now. The demand for professionals in this field continues to grow, with companies often struggling to find qualified staff to meet the high demands of the market.

Can a candidate with no experience be preferred to a candidate with more experience? If so, why?

Possibly, if the client is in a bind and needs to fill the position urgently.

What clothing is not advisable to wear to an interview?

I would never recommend the trendy ripped jeans. 😃

What behaviors should we avoid during an interview?

We shouldn't look at our watch and phone, it can make a bad impression.

Can you give an example of a good profession that we can start a career with, even without specific education?

A good profession can also be your hobby. Many artists successfully combine their creative talents with professional skills, proving that art and craft can be not only a passion, but also a successful career. Manicurists, hairdressers, decorators, crafters and other creative professionals often excel with a high level of expertise in their fields while continuing to inspire and enrich the community with their skills.

If a candidate has the opportunity to choose only one thing to improve, what would you advise them to choose?

Common culture plays a key role in personal development as it enriches the worldview and expands the capabilities of the individual. A person with a broad general culture often has a greater ability to acquire new skills, such as mastering a foreign language.

What place does LinkedIn have in today's career world? And what is its contribution to your work?

In recent years, LinkedIn has established itself as a platform that connects professionals with potential employers. I personally use it to distribute ads.

What proportion of the candidates you find come from LinkedIn?

So far, I have not been able to find candidates from LinkedIn as my search is for different types of positions.

What is the best platform to search for candidates right now and why?

Facebook is the best place because it is accessible to everyone and my positions are usually lower skilled.

Are candidate expectations getting higher?

Yes, candidates often place an emphasis on high pay and prefer hours that don't involve shift work. This reflects their desire for stability and financial security, as well as a better work-life balance.

Are salary or working conditions more important to candidates?

Both are important.

And to finish, of course, something from you..

Always set clear goals. Your goals will be your guide to finding the right job and career success. be persistent. The process of finding a job that matches your skills and desires requires perseverance and and belief in your own abilities.

Meet Gergana Todorova - recruitment assistant in our company. Geri is placed at one of our largest partners and faces the task of finding the most suitable candidates on a daily basis. As before, today we'll ask her questions you've heard countless times before, but with one goal in mind - to gather the answers of professionals in the field who have proven over the years that they know what they're talking about.

First of all, we can't resist starting with our favorite question, who is Geri?

My name is Gergana Todorova and I am 29 years old. I come from one of the most old towns in Bulgaria, namely Kyustendil. I graduated in law in Blagoevgrad, but today I work in the field of human resources here in Botevgrad.Yet, if I had to describe myself in a few words I would say that I am a loving mother of a 5 year old daughter and wife of a wonderful man. It is with them that I like to spend my free time.

Great, but how do your not so peaceful days go?

My day starts dynamically and necessarily with a cup of aromatic coffee. After I sort out the tasks for the day, I move on to reviewing emails and having conversations with active candidates and companies.

There are certainly challenges in these dynamic days, what is the biggest one you face?

In my job, the hardest thing for me is telling candidates that they are not approved for interviews and even harder is terminating a candidate that started.

And what is the most difficult situation you can face in recruitment?

It's almost impossible to get into a difficult situation because I'm very calm and I know there's nothing irreparable.

One of the most important steps, and usually the first one, in looking for a new job is creating a CV. What are the most common mistakes that are made in this step?

A poorly structured CV and an inappropriate photo. In my day-to-day life I almost always have to assist candidates to make a good CV.

And what do you definitely not like to see on a resume?

Let's put it this way: it's better to have no photo than to use an inappropriate one.

Okay, we handle the resume and get invited for an interview. And here we almost always ask ourselves one question, "Well, what should I wear?" Do you have any advice on that?

I'm rather thinking at the moment about what not to wear during an interview, namely "disco" clothes. We often make this mistake in our attempt to look elegant, but these two things are quite different from each other.

What is the main mistake candidates make most often in an interview?

Being late for an interview without calling - this is a sure sign of not being serious from the start.

What should you never do during an interview?

It's not a good idea to start the interview by asking "How much are you going to pay me?". Instead, it's better to show interest in the role, the duties and the team first, and leave the conversation about pay for an appropriate time.

What's the main thing employers have been holding onto for the last 6 months?

The main thing employers have been holding onto over the last 6 months is that candidates have previous experience in the role. This requirement often comes up in my conversations with them.

Yet is it possible that a candidate with no experience could be chosen over a candidate who has experience?

Rather not.

And what makes you believe in a candidate and give them a chance despite their lack of experience?

Motivation and the desire to develop. There are people who are aware that to succeed you will probably have to start from a lower position and prove yourself and improve over time.

If a candidate only has a choice of one thing to improve at, what would you advise them to choose?

I would advise him to focus on foreign language and reading books regularly.

Turning last to our candidates, I would ask what advice would you give them?

Whatever you do, do it willingly and find a job you love so you don't have to work.

Geri, thank you for those answers and advice. I truly believe they would be helpful to many people. I hope you don't mind if I ask you a few questions aimed at the other side, namely our partners?

Of course!

What is the best platform to search for candidates right now and why do you think so?

My candidates are mostly from Facebook as people find it very easy to find us there.

Are candidate expectations getting higher?

Definitely yes, especially for candidates with less experience.

Which is more important to candidates - the salary or the working conditions?

For candidates at the beginning salary is more important, and after starting they start thinking about working conditions.

And last... Why do companies miss out on good candidates?

Very often it happens that companies are slower to make their decisions and the market is so dynamic that candidates disappear in SECONDS.

And to finish.. something from you.

Do more things that make you truly happy!

Today we will introduce you Toni, who is a recruitment assistant in the company. We are really glad that we have the opportunity to ask her some very ordinary but everyday questions, because what better answer could we get than that of a psychologist with so many interviews. But of course we can't start without a favourite question..

1.Who is Tony?

My name is Antonia Yachkova and I am 26 years old, I am originally from Kardzhali, but I have been living in Plovdiv for 7 years now. I am currently a Recruitment Assistant at Trenkwalder Bulgaria. In my free time I like long walks and traveling to new and interesting places.

2.How does a day go for you?

My day usually starts with a few minutes to wake up with a cup of coffee in hand. Then I make a plan for the day with the important tasks I need to get done.I start contacting active candidates and reviewing job postings. Our work is quite dynamic. My day passes quickly and imperceptibly.

3.We know that one of the main things in this dynamic day is the review of applications. What do you notice first on a CV?

Well organized and updated information immediately gives the impression of an organized candidate, so it's easy to see their skills and experience. A CV should be structured and clearly show skills, experience and achievements in a particular field. We very often help candidates prepare their CVs. We prepare profiles together which we then send to the given company.

4.Great, and what would you never allow to be on a candidate's resume that you send to our partners?

Poorly structured information or an inappropriate photo.

5.And how do you reach all these candidates? What's the best platform to search for candidates right now and why do you think so?

Choosing the best platform here depends on the requirements and needs of the company. According to the position we can judge which platform is suitable. At this stage, LinkedIn is considered the leading platform for recruitment. As an active and effective channel for me is Facebook.

6.Okay, you have found the right candidate in one of these channels, you have prepared a perfect resume, but something fails him in the interview. What is it usually?

Candidates quite often don't prepare for the interview itself. For example. What is the position? It always makes a good impression when a candidate is prepared and has taken the time to learn about the company.

The topic of pay and benefits is extremely important to any candidate. But in a first job interview, it's a good idea to wait for the employer to raise this issue themselves. Also a common mistake is discussing a previous employer. Even if you did not part with a good one, it is not to your advantage to comment on it.

7.And what do employers really hold, what do they expect, to say yes this is our person?

Willingness to work, adaptability, motivation and an interest in progressing in the position are always qualities that stand out.

8.Sometimes the interview goes well, but companies miss the candidate? What are the main reasons for this?

The search for the "ideal candidate". In my opinion, a number of employers waste a lot of time searching for that candidate and in most cases something is missing for them to hire that candidate. Also a common reason is slow feedback to candidates, the job market is quite dynamic and candidates can find another job quite quickly.

9.Are salary or working conditions more important for candidates?

The choice depends entirely on the priorities and needs of each candidate. I guess for many candidates the best option is a balance between an adequate salary and good working conditions. Employers very often expect candidates to value their work and to make a pay offer themselves. The candidate should also be prepared for this question. By being able to review the job postings in a given field, in the relevant area and so will be aware of how salaries vary in a given position.

10.And to diversify the topic of interviews and resumes a bit, a little side question, what do you think is the most in demand field right now.

In Bulgaria, for example, the IT sector continues to be one of the leading sectors in terms of employment growth and salaries. The development of technology and the need for improvement creates demand.

Digital marketing is an area that many people are developing right now. Companies are increasingly relying on online channels to reach more customers, making digital marketing extremely important and necessary. In this regard, once companies increase their volume with online activities they need to protect their data. Cybersecurity is one of the growing areas in the market. In my opinion, with this dynamic, it will continue to be the most sought after and important area in the future.

11.And to finish.. something from you 🙂

The job search process can be challenging and time consuming. Persistence and a positive attitude, will help you find your place.

We celebrate the successes of our inventory team with a bonus article and Dennis Kamburov - department head.

Before we get started we want to congratulate Dennis and his team on the great successes this month.

But before we take a look into the world of inventory and your hard work, could you tell us a little more about yourself - who is Dennis outside of all of this?

My name is Dennis and I am 27 years old. I have been working for Trenkwalder Bulgaria for 3 years as Inventory Supervisor and since March 2024 as Head of the whole department. Outside of work I am a person with a great sense of humor and a great sense of self-irony. I love spending time with my family, watching movies and being lazy together. I generally consider myself a good person who can be counted on, and as long as I can, I look to always help, whether it's with work or something on a personal level.

And who is the leader Kamburov?

I've been working since I was 19 and have always been loyal to the companies I work for. I have a bad habit of caring and wanting the company to move forward because I realized very quickly that if a company performs well, I benefit from it too. Otherwise, I don't take myself as a super strict manager during a shift. My employees know that when there's work to be done, work gets done, and when they can drool, I drool with them.

Can you tell us more about what inventories are?

Inventories are one of the most important processes and are an essential part of any company. It doesn't matter if the company consists of only 1 or 100 locations - inventories are, to say the least, a must. In short, inventories are a process that determines the current stock at a given site. Thanks to inventory, all possible gaps are revealed, from deliveries to theft by customers or employees.

How does a day at work go for you, and a month?

In a word - dynamic. My day starts with waking up around noon because I was on inventory the night before. The good thing about us is that week in and week out don't look alike. I might be 4 nights in Sofia one week and 3 nights in 3 different cities in Bulgaria the next. After a quick check of emails from the morning, I open the laptop and organize the inventory for the next week. A quick breakfast follows and I'm off to the store for the next inventory. I'm not going to tell you how a month goes by because this post will get very long (laughs).

And what are the advantages and disadvantages of this mode of operation?

For me, the biggest advantage is that every day is different. Today I'm in a small shop in Stara Zagora, the next day I'm in a big and heavy shop in Plovdiv. As someone born in Sofia, apart from the sea and the mountains, I have hardly travelled around Bulgaria. After I started working at Trenkwalder and travelled around most of the small towns, I was honestly quite pleasantly surprised. Every day I meet different people, good ones, and the shifts pass easily and without tension. Of course, there are the exceptions, but we'll talk about them next time.

As for the disadvantages - for me personally there is only one, and that is that I am away from my family for a few days almost every week. Next year my first born daughter will come into the world and the thought of leaving them for 3-4 days a week drives me crazy. Another downside is that our work is almost always at night. Not everyone likes to work nights, and a lot of people turn down shifts just because they are nights and can't stand working all night.

Why should companies choose to outsource the inventory process?

We offer objective counting and our goal is to provide 98% accuracy. When a company chooses an outside vendor to do their inventory, they are assured that the inventory will be done correctly and there will be no manipulation. As a former employee of a grocery store and someone who has been on the other side, I know very well how employees can manipulate the outcome.

Who are the biggest partners you have worked with? Who is easier to work with - larger or smaller companies?

All of the current clients are large international companies, some of which are "small" in Bulgaria with 2-3 stores and others with 50-60. The smaller the company, the more demanding their bosses are. The big companies already have processes in place on how to do the inventory and what report to make to them at the end, which makes things much easier.

Your work is very dynamic. What is the "recipe" for survival and what is the biggest sacrifice you make?

One of the advantages with us is that the work itself is not mentally taxing. This is not the case for me as a supervisor who is in charge of the whole process, but I survive thanks to my family, whom I met, as it usually happens at work, my colleagues and my friends. The sacrifice we all make in the department is being separated from our loved ones.

Is work-life balance possible in this type of activity?

Of course, yes. If there was no balance, this type of activity would not exist. Except for the fall, which is the busiest season for us and almost all clients have inventory then, the rest of the year I am able to make the schedule so that all employees have what is called a long weekend. They have Friday, Saturday and Sunday off almost every week so they can relax and see their families.

Why would you direct someone to do inventories? What would you say to a candidate to get them on your team?

Inventories is a specific activity and anyone who likes to travel could do it. As long as you are sociable and enjoy interacting with people, this is the job for you.

But apart from people, how much does the software and devices you work with matter?

Huge. The more optimized the process is at the software level, the easier the task is for supervisors during an inventory. If the supervisor doesn't have to be in front of the laptop all the time, they have more opportunities to supervise employees and distribute them for faster inventory completion. Often, our teams use mobile apps to get inventory reports on the go so they don't have to wait at the end of the inventory to see what the result is.

In any job there is a risk of errors and failures - what are they for you and are there any fatal ones?

Our software is designed to prevent loss of information. It has three levels of protection, allowing us to find it at any time. Mistakes can always happen, whether it's counting or scanning, but we have supervisors to monitor the process, as well as store colleagues.

We know that your successes are now spreading beyond Bulgaria. What are the differences between the Bulgarian and foreign markets?

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the stores in Bulgaria are significantly better prepared for inventories compared to those in Croatia, Slovenia and Romania. Our overseas projects are not many yet, so I cannot give an objective assessment, but at least in this respect Bulgaria is not lagging behind, as it is in many other aspects.

Is it easy to find people who are willing to be posted abroad? What are their expectations?

At the risk of jinxing things, for the projects we've had in Greece, Romania, Croatia and Slovenia, I managed to get the teams together in one day. The overseas assignments are heavier, with more shifts, but always provide the opportunity to walk around and see the city. Unfortunately, not everyone has the chance to travel abroad, and we offer this opportunity so people can earn money and see Europe.

What is the project you are most proud of?

I've been running the department since March 2024. Just two months after I took over the department, I managed to win back one of our biggest clients, which has over 50 stores in Bulgaria. Furthermore, in the last six months we have increased the department's turnover by 40% compared to 2023. For the first time in the six years that Trenkwalder Bulgaria's inventory department has been in existence, we will be able to scan over 1.5 million units in a single month. These are three achievements of which I am extremely proud.

What are your plans for the future? What can we expect from you?

We continue to look for new customers both in Bulgaria and abroad. We expect 2025 to bring a minimum of five new international projects.

And to finish... Anything from you?

The one thing I want to say to my peers and those younger than me is that not everything is served on a platter and it doesn't happen with a magic wand. Stop being lazy and realize that you have to give first in order to receive.

Today we continue our "HR Respond" column with another exciting and useful interview, in which we will introduce you to Svetoslava Klisuranova, Recruiting Team Manager at Trenqualder Bulgaria. Svetoslava has many years of experience in recruitment. She shares what inspires her at work, as well as her views on the challenges and opportunities in HR.

We know each other well, but what would you say to our readers to help them figure out who you are?

Hello! My name is Svetoslava Klisuranova and I am the Recruiting Team Manager at Trenqualder Bulgaria. I have been with the company for about 6 years - I started my career in 2018 as a "Recruitment Assistant". I have a Master's degree from the UNWE, specializing in Human Resource Management, and even then I knew that recruitment was exactly what I wanted to do. I am married and have a lovely daughter. In my spare time I like to meet friends and go to the mountains - probably because I come from a small mountain town.

1.Tell us a bit more about your working day. How does it usually go?

My work day starts at 9:00 am and the first thing I do is go through my emails from the day before to make sure I haven't missed anything important. Then, with a cup of coffee in hand (because you can't do without it!), I start contacting active candidates through the various channels we work with. I usually leave the afternoons for administrative tasks. The work is quite dynamic and sometimes you don't feel how the day has flown by.

2.What challenges do you face most often in your job?

One of the main challenges is the constant communication with clients and candidates. In order to achieve good results, we need to pay special attention to each one and gain insight into their needs and goals.

3.Have there been cases when it was really difficult to find the right candidate? What do you do then?

Of course.The most difficult situation for any recruiter is when you can't find the right candidate for a company. No matter how hard you try, there are times when things just don't work out. Then you feel dissatisfied with your job and start looking for new ways and new recruitment channels.

4.Which platform do you think is the most effective for finding candidates right now?

For senior positions LinkedIn is certainly the best platform - we can find qualified and experienced candidates there.

5.What is LinkedIn's place for you and how does it influence the recruitment process?

LinkedIn is a really important part of my job. In recent years it has established itself as a platform that connects professionals with businesses, and now many companies prefer to recruit there. I personally use it on a daily basis to monitor trends and find suitable candidates.

6.Are there many candidates you find specifically through LinkedIn?

Yes, in fact a large proportion of them - over 70% - are from LinkedIn because this channel usually attracts the most suitable professionals.

7.When you interview candidates, is there something that makes you believe in them, even if they lack experience?

Definitely! A candidate's willingness and determination are most important to me. If a person is motivated to learn and develop, I am always willing to give them a chance, even if they have no experience.

8.What do you think are some of the common mistakes candidates make during an interview?

The most common mistake is insufficient preparation for the interview. When candidates don't know the company and the position they are applying for well, they sometimes have to improvise, and this rarely leaves a good impression. Another mistake is when they rush to ask about pay before they have learned the details of their duties.

9.What tips would you give to candidates to make a good impression in an interview?

I would advise them to be natural and confident. It is also important to present their skills to the best of their ability and remember to smile - this always makes a good impression.

10.Is there anything that wouldn't be appropriate to wear for an interview?

It is better to avoid overly sporty and revealing clothing. Clothes play an important role in the first impression.

11.What is the best style for an interview? Are there universal clothes that always make a good impression?

In my opinion, the most important thing is to feel comfortable in your clothes. Neither a strictly formal style nor overly casual clothing, such as a sports legging or tracksuit, are appropriate for an interview. For me, a practical combination is one of trousers, t-shirt and jacket - it looks professional but is also comfortable enough for the candidate to feel confident and relaxed.

12.What are the things you think are good to avoid during an interview?

I would recommend not being late for the interview because it is often planned on a strict schedule. It's also important to avoid lying or making negative comments about previous employers and colleagues - it doesn't make a good impression.

13.And lastly... something from you

Before you apply for any position, make sure it's the area you really want to develop professionally.

This advice is particularly valuable and very soon we will find out why, as well as learning the answers to more interesting questions. Why? Because there's so much we want to know that one interview with Sveti just wasn't enough...

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