12+
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
30 +
COUNTRIES
10.000+
CVs REVIEWED
Hi, I’m Darija.
Hi, I’m Darija Mesko, founder of Thrive Through HR. I’m a career coach and HR consultant with more than 12 years of experience across management, recruitment and HR. My working life began in Slovenia, before I moved into formal HR roles and later worked as a People & Culture Business Partner in Germany and Head of People & Culture in Dubai. Today, I support job seekers, companies and teams across Europe, the UAE and the wider Middle East.
1.000+
INTERVIEWS
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I believe work can feel good. I want people to wake up excited about their jobs, I want teams built on trust, and I want careers that start with confidence instead of confusion.
Nobody taught us how to write a CV, how to pass an interview, or how to negotiate a salary, this was never part of school.
My job is to fill that gap, for people who feel stuck in the job market and for companies that want to build a workplace people don’t want to leave.
2008
The first steps in Slovenia
My working life started in Slovenia while I was still in high school. Through student jobs in shops, stores, reception, a casino and wellness companies, I saw contracts mishandled, promotions ignored and bullying tolerated. That was when I started questioning why HR was not supporting employees.
2014
Becoming a store manager
At 20, I became the manager of a small store. I hired and managed people with no training or guidance. It was my first experience of people responsibility, although I was still not working in HR.
The early career years
Work & study
I worked in banks and telemarketing companies, observed interviews and hiring decisions from inside, and saw how people were treated. I studied international business and wrote my thesis on emotional intelligence.
2016 - 2019
Building the HR foundation
This is where my formal, hands-on HR journey began. I worked in international companies as a freelancer where I learned about recruitment, employee relations and compliance, and built processes that supported people and the business.
2020 - 2024
Moving to Germany... a new vision of HR
I joined 2 fast-growing companies in Germany as a People & Culture Business Partner, working closely with the COO, CEO and other directors across international teams. I have we rebuilt onboarding, improved communication and collaboration, and created a culture of trust and accountability.
My biggest achievements:
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Hired 80 people in the first nine months
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Helped implement a four-day working week
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Created workshops on communication, stress management, DEIB and imposter syndrome
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Raised employee satisfaction from 65% to almost 90% in one year
2024
Moving to Dubai
During my stay in Dubai, I hired 12 people in the first 4 months and experienced the reality of one of the world’s most competitive job markets. For a single vacancy I have received form 2,000 - 7,000 applications. Working with people from across the Middle East, Asia and Africa also deepened my understanding of how culture shapes communication, leadership and hiring.
2024
The birth of Thrive Through HR
I combined everything I learned to build Thrive Through HR, to help people and companies thrive.
Career coaching & workshops for companies
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Experience and credentials
12+ years of experience across management, recruitment and HR
8.000+ CVs reviewed
1.000+ interviews conducted
Worked with people from 30+ countries
500+ people hired
People and Culture Business Partner in Germany
Head of People & Culture in Dubai
Emotional Intelligence certified
SPHRi Certified
(Senior Professional HR international certification from HRCI)
Author of From Jobless to Empowered
The UAE edition
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
What does Thrive Through HR offer?
Thrive Through HR offers career coaching for individuals, recruitment support for companies and workshops for teams. Career coaching includes CV and LinkedIn support, interview preparation, salary negotiation and job search guidance. Company workshops focus on personalities, communication, emotional intelligence and cultural differences.
Do you work with international clients?
Yes. I work with individuals and companies across Europe, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other international markets. I have worked with people from more than 30 different cultures, so I understand how differently people communicate, work and approach hiring.
Can I work with you online?
Yes. Career coaching sessions and consultations are available online, so we can work together regardless of where you live. Sessions are available in English and Slovenian.
What experience do you have in recruitment?
I have reviewed more than 10,000 CVs, conducted more than 1,000 interviews. I have worked as both an HR professional and a hiring manager, so I understand how decisions are made at every stage of the hiring process.
Do you also work with companies?
Yes. I support companies with recruitment and practical workshops for teams. The workshops help people understand their working styles, communicate more clearly, build emotional intelligence and work better across different personalities and cultures.
