Polina on Positive Change and Being in the Right Place

“At the beginning of my career, I was often avoiding things that brought me out of my comfort zone. It was something I worked on, but the job itself makes you more assertive. With the huge diversity of technologies and projects, you simply have to be adaptive. I don’t feel so uncertain about new things anymore and I never say ‘no’ when I’m approached with something new. Like this interview.”

Tell us who you are.

My name is Polina Mihova and I am а Quality Engineer III at Scalefocus. I’ve been a part of the company for almost 6 years now and I’m working on many different projects. I’m responsible for the whole process of manual and/or automation testing.

How and why did you join Scalefocus?

I was looking for a job and a colleague from the university, who at the time worked at Scalefocus, recommended the company. I went through the interview process and got hired. The fact that it is a Bulgarian company really impressed me.

I came to Scalefocus with only internship experience, a diploma and a strong desire to learn.

I liked being a developer too, but in my work as a QE, I find a lot of aspects that fit me better as a professional and a person.

The transition was a challenge, but a positive one. I was the only QE in my first team and it was hard, but awesome in the sense of learning and growing. The work is really dynamic and diverse, there is a lot of communication with people and even clients. This communication helps me to understand better the business logic of the work, the business processes and the essence of the client’s needs. That is crucial for better testing of the product later.

Do you like challenges?

At the beginning of my career, I was often avoiding things that brought me out of my comfort zone. It was something I worked on, but the job itself makes you more assertive. With the huge diversity of technologies and projects, you simply have to be adaptive. I don’t feel so uncertain about new things anymore and I never say ‘no’ when I’m approached with something new for me. Like this interview, for instance 🙂

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

An introvert, for sure, but with some extrovert qualities. In the work of the QE, it actually helps to be an introvert – to look more closely, to observe the details, to have consistency. The extrovert quality that is beneficial here is the ability to communicate with anyone.

Why do you like your team?

They are young, positive people with a jest for life and work. They are super helpful when needed and we as a team manage to make everything run smoothly. They are also really fun!

What gives you fuel in the morning?

Coffee! I wake up really early and come to the office before the others. This is my time to charge up for the day and I’m actually most productive in the first part of the day.

And what gives you fuel in your personal life?

I am a real homebody, actually – I love being at home, on the sofa, or cooking something delicious, just being there.