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C:V: in East Europe Style
Cross border applications: Czech Republic
1. General advice on job hunting in the Czech Republic
The most successful way of finding a job in the Czech Republic is through newspaper advertisements. On Monday the national newspaper "Hospodá ské noviny" has a special job supplement entitled "Careers". The Tuesday and the Thursday issue of the national newspaper "Mladá Fronta Dnes" also carries job adds.
Young graduates often apply speculatively. Personal contacts can be helpful when applying speculatively, therefore, an apprenticeship, arranged for instance through the network of the student organsiation AIESEC active in 87 countries is a good introduction to working life in the Czech Republic. While English is the language of business, a sound working knowledge of Czech is highly appreciated, but not essential, to get a job.
Very popular now in the Czech Republic are CV databases, mainly hosted by the large multinational recruitment companies. You can find help when looking for a job in the Czech Republic from a CV and job vacancy database located at <http://www.job.cz> Most information is in Czech, but there is also some information available in English.
The Application Letter
The application letter is usually typed. Handwritten letters are sometimes requested, but this is clearly specified in the advertisement. The covering letter should be short, about 10 to 20 lines. You should be able to illustrate why you are the right candidate for the job with specific examples. Mention several reasons why you consider yourself the appropriate candidate fitting the job description. Copies of diplomas are generally not included, although sometimes employers specifically ask for it. References are usually not required. Occasionally a photograph is requested.
The Curriculum Vitae
The CV is usually chronological (reversed chronological most recent activity first occurs less often; functional CVs information structured per item is relatively new, but companies especially the foreign companies like a biography presented in this format).The CV should be brief, direct and structured, one to two page at the most. Your personal details should include name, address, telephone and/or fax number (including international access code), your nationality, civil status and date of birth. With regard to your education you should chronologically mention all qualifications and diplomas obtained. Specify exactly when, where and what (give the name of the University) you have studied (mention the discipline).Language skills should be given in detail; mention your native tongue and describe your level of fluency for the other languages. Under the heading 'work experience' you have to mention all your practical experience, including apprenticeships. Mention the exact job description and the responsibilities you have had in each job. Under this heading give all information on your knowledge and your skills that might interest a future employer. Sometimes references are given in the CV, but no strict rules apply here. Remember, that the Czech Republic is currently establishing their own national recruitment habits after the days of communism, when rather traditional academic selection criteria where used.
The Application Procedure
Interviews are the most crucial part of the selection procedure. Usually two to four structured interviews are held with various people, although panel interviews are less common. Most attention is paid to the personality of the candidate. Expect questions about your personal and professional goals for the near future and about your achievements in the past. As English is usually required for managerial positions, most interviews would take place in English (sometimes even when an interview is conducted between two Czechs).
Psychological tests are sometimes used. In the beginning of the '90s there was a real boom in psychological tests, but today tests are mainly used in combination with other selection procedures. Assessment centres are only used with the large multinational firms. Often these firms use similar selection procedures for their worldwide recruitment.
Cross border applications: Hungary
1. General advice on job hunting in Hungary
Although job advertisements appear in the national and local press, personal contacts are the most important way to find a job. Use any contacts you (or your university) may have. Friends, family, former professors; anybody you can think of that might be helpful in getting the necessary contacts established with Hungary. Because of the importance of personal contacts you might want to consider an apprenticeship or a period of studyin Hungary in advance before starting your job hunt. For an apprenticeship you can contact multinational companies in your home country that have a subsidiary firm in Hungary. Sending a speculative application to the local office in which you would like to work can also be reasonably successful. If you decide to study abroad you might consider the Central European University (CEU) in Budapest < http://www.ceu.hu> It offers several courses in which the focus is, besides the subject matter, on working in an international and multi-cultural environment. The CEU is well-regarded by employers in the region.
Please note that Hungarian employers consider a good academic background, linguistic and computer skills and an understanding of business as favourable. However compared to some countries in western Europe degree relevance is less important, i.e. the fact that you have studied is more important than what subject you have studied, except of course for some specific professions such as lawyer or physician.
The Application Letter
Often, when personal contacts lead to an opening, the first phase of having to write an application letter is skipped and replaced by less formal telephone and e-mail contact. But in all the other cases you have to send an application consisting of an application letter and a CV. The letter is usually typed. Handwritten letters are occasionally requested, but this is clearly specified by the employer. American and western European companies have had a strong influence in recent years on the recruitment process in Hungary. This shows in the brief and concise applications that are becoming more and more common. The covering letter should be short, about 15 to 20 lines. You should be able to explain clearly why you are the appropriate candidate for the job. Copies of diplomas and references are generally not included, although sometimes employers specifically ask for it. However, bring both with you to the interview.
The Curriculum Vitae
CVs are normally typed and detailed, emphasising your education and practical experience. Pay attention to the lay-out, make sure it is well-structured and focused. Your CV should be one to two page maximum.
You can choose between a chronological or reversed chronological (most recent activity first) order. Functional CVs (information structured per item) is relatively new, but companies especially foreign companies like a biography presented in this format. Your personal details should include name, address, telephone and/or fax number (including international access code), e-mail address, your nationality, civil status and date of birth. With regard to your education you should mention all qualifications and diplomas obtained. Language skills should be given in detail; mention your native tongue and describe your level of fluency for the other languages. Although Hungarian is not essential, a sound working knowledge of the language is considered necessary to cope with daily office life (and life outside work!). Under the heading 'work experience' you should mention all your practical experience, including apprenticeships. Mention the exact job description and the responsibilities you have had in each job. Give, under this heading, all information on your knowledge and your skills that might interest a future employer.
The Application Procedure
Interviews are the most crucial part of the selection procedure. No rules can be given regarding how many interviews will be held. This depends largely on the sector, the sort of company (local or international) and whether you know the employer already or not. In general, expect questions about your personal and professional goals for the near future and about your achievements in the past. As English is usually required for managerial positions, most interviews will take place in English, but at least a part of the interview will most probably be conducted in Hungarian.
Psychological tests and assessment centres are mainly used by large multinational firms. Often these firms use similar selection procedures for their worldwide recruitment.
Cross border applications: Poland
1. General advice on a job hunting in Poland
The way of finding a job in Poland is very much connected with the type of work you are looking for. For all sorts of jobs connected with science you have the best chances through speculative applications to those companies and institutions you are interested in. Jobs for qualified specialists and managerial posts are published weekly in the national newspaper "Gazeta Wyborcza". It is published in 18 different regional issues and on Mondays it carries the supplement "Job" with most of the advertisements in English (approx. 400 vacancies every week). A selection of those vacancies are available on the Internet: < http://www.gazeta.pl> Another main national newspaper, "Rzeczpospolita", carries, on Wednesdays, interesting information about the Polish economy and the job market (i.e. supplement "Economy and Market"). If you want to work as an economist you can find useful information in specific magazines like "Businessman" and "Gazeta Bankowa". IT specialists should read "Computer World" or "PC Kurier". You can also publish your own advertisement in the above mentioned newspapers. To meet potential future employers you can attend job fairs (mainly in the period March-May and some in autumn) or employers' presentations (throughout the academic year) organised by AIESEC, BEST and the University Careers Services (currently there are Careers Services available at 10 Polish Universities). You can send your application free of charge to recruitment agencies.
Foreign job seekers should realise they need a residence permit and a job permit. During the procedure your potential employer can be asked to provide proof of the fact that there are no unemployed Poles able to do the job you applied for (remember that the unemployment rate is high).
You can, quite easily find a job as a teacher using your native language (especially if your native tongue is English). Furthermore, you can try to find a job in an international company (a list of companies from your home country who have subsidiaries in Poland can be obtained from your own embassy in Poland). It is also possible of course to start your own business when you receive the necessary permission.
The guidelines for writing application letters and CVs are not very strict in Poland. The style is currently changing and getting more similar to the Anglo-Saxon one.
The Application Letter
The application letter is short (one page) and usually typed. You write in Polish to Polish companies and in English to international ones. You start with your name, address and telephone number at the top left corner. At the top right corner you write the city and current date; below the name of the person your letter is addressed to, give her/his job title and company name and address. The style is formal without being too persistent. The letter finishes with a signature. Do not duplicate information, but do comment on your CV!
Because more and more job offers (about 20-30%) require a specific personal profile (i.e. social and transferable skills), you should illustrate your skills with examples that fit the job description and the company culture (it is useful to read some company brochures).
The Curriculum Vitae
The CV should have a clear layout (separate headings for your personal details, education, practical experience, qualifications and hobbies/interests) typed on one or two pages. Recent graduates usually write a reversed chronological CV. In case the job is not directly connected with your studies, but more with your work experience or hobbies, you can write a functional CV. Marital status is usually included. If you have already obtained some work experience (for example working as a volunteer) during your studies you should include it. Describe your level of oral and written knowledge of languages, the most useful, additional to Polish, are English, German, French and Russian. Moreover, employers are looking for a computer literacy.
You can either include the names (including job title, address and telephone number) of referees or state that you will send references on request. You should bring all your references and copies of diplomas to the interview.
Some large multinational companies use their own application forms instead of personal CVs. You should pay attention to the open questions that try to establish your social and transferable skills. Never leave any blank spaces.
The Application Procedure
Regarding the application procedure, you can distinguish between three groups of employers:
1. Civil service (public administration, schools, police, army, etc): Traditional methods of application apply here; a hand written application letter and CV or a standard application form. Followed by two interviews, the first with the HR manager and the next one with your future boss.
2. Polish companies (state or private owned): Application letter and CV, two interviews, the first one with HR manager and the next one with a manager and/or company manager.
3. Foreign and international companies: These firms use similar application and selection procedures for their world-wide recruitment; own application forms, usually two interviews, psychometric tests, and sometimes an Assessment Centre.
Cross border applications: Romania
1. General advice on job hunting in Romania
Romania is not among the five applicant countries (i.e. Hungary, Poland, The Czech Republic, Slovenia and Esthonia) with which formal accession negotiations will take place for membership of the European Union. For various reasons, developments are slower in Romania than in those countries, but there are signs of recovery.
Advertising job vacancies is relatively new in the past graduates were allocated jobs by the government. Speculative applications might be more successful. You can use "Kompass Romania" for addresses of companies or the web pages of the Romanian Chamber of Commerce < http://www.ccir.ro/> offers a wealth of information on Romania, both in Romanian and in English. Other sources are the newspaper "Romania Libera" and the weekly "Capital".
Please note that degree relevance is important in Romania.
The Application Letter
The application letter is usually typed. Handwritten letters are sometimes requested.
The Curriculum Vitae
A Romanian CV contains personal details such as name, address, telephone number including international access code, e-mail address (!), date of birth, place of birth, age, nationality, and civil status. Furthermore, it includes information regarding your education, qualifications obtained, your skills, specific knowledge, professional experience, posts of responsibility, hobbies and other interests. At the bottom of your CV you should give three references (mention the name, address, phone number and job title of all three referees).
The Application Procedure
Interviews are, like in many other countries, the most crucial part of the selection procedure.
Cross border applications: Russia
1. General advice on job hunting in Russia
Although job advertisements appear in the national and local press, personal contacts are the most important way to find a job. Use any contacts you (or your university) may have. Friends, family, former professors, anybody you can think of that might be helpful in getting the necessary contacts established with Russia. Please note that Russian employers consider a good academic background, linguistic and computer skills and an understanding of business as indispensable, but most important is your personality. A warm personality combined with humour and a good understanding of the country and culture (both the Russian culture and cultural knowledge of your own country are essential) will gain more than anything else in a country where personal contact and inter-human relations are extremely important in recruitment.
Useful information for applicants can be found on < http://www.job.ru/cb-bin/job/link.scr.win> and < http://www.hro.ru/> Most information is in Russian, but there is also some information available in English.
The Application Letter
The application letter is usually handwritten, although typed letters are getting more and more common.
The Curriculum Vitae
CVs are normally handwritten and very detailed. Russian employers expect a biography in full sentences, explaining everything you have done.
The Application Procedure
Interviews are, as in many other countries, the most crucial part of the selection procedure.