I've got the first job and practical knowledge when I was a second-year student – I joined a Moldavian company as a layout designer and have worked with them for a few years. After graduating from university, I decided to move on and started looking for a more prospective job. At that time, I studied at ULIM to become an IT specialist. In 2008, thanks to my friends, I found a small 8-person company – it wasn't Grafit Holding yet at the time. And I continue to work here to this day.

At first, I was hired as a programmer. I remember my surprise at the number of countries that the company worked with because there were Americans, Belgians, Mexicans, and even Egyptians. I knew English quite well, so I was offered to work in the technical support department. I had to maintain communications with them and help them solve technical issues that were arising in the course of work. Honestly, at that moment, I felt as if I was a wizard that could do anything. A bit later, we started to launch our own startups.

Every startup has two types of investors: those that invest their knowledge, skills, and funds, and those that exclusively invest their knowledge. The second category includes those, who eventually become partners because at some point the salary stops motivating. I was lucky when a new startup was launched and it didn't have enough budget but it required an IT specialist. I simply was in the right place at the right time. I believe that success consists of 50% of luck and 50% of my work, due to which I proved myself as a reliable specialist.

The difficulties that I encountered were basically related to the fact that I've had a lot of responsibility for the servers, networks, development, and support. This was quite a test for stress tolerance, during which I obtained my first grey hair. But, despite this, I managed well and now can do pretty much anything :)

Our team consists of 3 managers that run seven projects. I believe that the secret of good relationships in a team lies in communication. Unfortunately, I don't talk with everyone as often as I'd want to, since there are many colleagues in my projects, but I'm trying to keep the balance. Sometimes, I do it well, but sometimes – not as well as I'd like to. There are no special hints or magic – just practice and experience. It's not really hard to learn to do it over 12 years of work with various teams. Any problem can be solved with a calm dialogue.

When I came to work here, it was 2008 outside. At that time and even today, this was and is the best workplace. It just so happened that I was carried away a bit and stayed here for 12 years J Why Grafit? Despite their hierarchy, the relationships between people here are always on an equal footing. This is very relaxing and morally helpful. The company has a rather objective work and time expenditure tracking system that doesn't allow for "favorites" to appear. If you are a good specialist, you are going to be reckoned with despite your position. You are going to be valued and promoted up the career ladder.

I was offered to work in a Canadian IT giant. Despite a good salary, I wasn't sure because Graft has had good conditions. The decisive factor was personal: friends, family, and everything else here. I believe that you first have to achieve particular heights wherever you were born and when you start feeling that you're hitting the ceiling, then you should try your capabilities somewhere else. If you didn't accomplish yourself at home, then there are almost no chances you're going to make it in another country.

I go to the gym. At first, it was a hobby, but later became a form of meditation where I work physically, but relax morally. I also relax with my family and children. But, I can't say that this is mental relaxation, but I love it. And, of course, I play video games, although I thought I would outgrow this hobby.

Also, I enjoyed drawing previously, but it was taking too much time, so the hobby gradually faded away. Of course, it's difficult to combine work and personal life, but I'm trying to make time for everything, and it seems that I'm doing this well so far.

My team features good working conditions, friendly staff, and stability. I'm working with the company since 2008 and I have never regretted this. IT specialists will feel comfortable working at the company for the following reasons:

1. A specialist can grow in a wide range of directions since we are working on the Full Stack principle. A programmer takes care of tool development from A to Z;

2. Objective system of work assessment of each employee. We don't have favorites and "stars." Each and every single person is evaluated based on their work and not on some huge achievements in the past or something they've done for their boss. This helps to avoid 'favoritism' in the team;

3. Absence of authoritative management. Our team leads are a part of the team that works on the same level as the developer;

4. We equip the workplace according to the needs of each developer. We create comfortable conditions so that the specialist can take care of their favorite business and not be distracted by anything;

5. Flexible work schedule. An IT department employee can come at the time comfortable for them, whether in the morning, during lunchtime, or even in the afternoon. It's important that the problem is solved effectively rather than poorly but according to a particular schedule;

6. A gym pass to support the employee's physical shape, not just their mental shape;

7. Like most companies, we pay good salaries, whose sizes depend on the skills of each particular specialist. The better the specialist, the higher the salary;

8. Free unlimited coffee :)