The main mistakes and myths when looking for a job abroad

During the pandemic and house arrest, many were forced to switch to online work. We ended up at home, tried to perform our duties remotely. Some managers were afraid of losing control, but experience has shown that even at a distance of one click, all employees are quite manageable.

Some even lost their jobs.

The market is changing before our eyes. Will there be enough vacancies for everyone within their region and country? Experts in the field of management and recruiting predict the expansion of the boundaries for job seekers. If now it is not necessary to move there to work in a company in another country, then it is a sin not to take advantage of this opportunity.

“Opportunities have expanded despite COVID-19,” says career consultant Maria Lassued. “Employers no longer care so much where you are from. It is important that the language is passable, at least at an intermediate level, so that you can write and respond. In the course of work, the level of language proficiency will increase.”

If you wish, you can go to express courses, but it is better to go to the language environment, live there for three to four weeks. And the language will catch up very quickly. It would seem, dare, try! But among Russian applicants, more often than women, fears and myths are common that prevent them from taking risks.

What does Maria Lassued face during her consultations? The main problem is the difference in mentalities. But it is the knowledge of the Russian mentality that will give us a competitive advantage if the company has an interest in the Russian market. What do Russian applicants broadcast about themselves?

“Our people tend to put themselves down,” says a career counselor. — “I have no experience”, “my diploma is not quoted”, “I am many years old”, “I came here by accident”. Requests for work look like we are begging for alms in the subway: “We ourselves are not local, help in any way you can.” You don’t have to do that. Russia is a beautiful country, we have active women, they just lack self-confidence. Namely, it is welcomed and appreciated.

But there is another extreme. «We come from a great country.» Some demonstrate patriotism beyond the bounds, begin to speak out about the Second World War. But each European country has its own position on this matter. It is better not to touch upon such topics when applying for a job.

“You should focus more on yourself — what exactly you can do. What are you ready to do, how will you be useful to the company. And don’t worry about permits. If the employer is interested, he will write and ask the necessary questions.”

Surprisingly, many people are intimidated by video interviews. Either they refuse because the house is not tidy, or, on the contrary, they put on a suit, although it is clear to everyone that you are now working from home. After all, an interview, according to Russian applicants, is a serious matter. And it looks funny in the frame for a European. Be natural, advises Maria Lassued. Learn to smile.

But much more Russians are hindered by the myths they invented themselves.

Myth 1. They only hire low-skilled jobs.

“It happens,” explains Maria Lassued. “But to think that no one manages to get a job in any other way is a prejudice. If you are not confident in your abilities, think that you do not have a language and do not know anything at all, then yes, this is probably your option. But in any case, then you need to look for a better job. I know cases when people came and after six months they found a suitable vacancy.

Myth 2. Russian diploma in Europe is not quoted

“Our diploma is quoted. In every European country there is an authority where you can submit documents, and do it in advance, even before arrival, the career consultant recommends. — Send a copy of the apostilled certificate, diploma, certificate. And they send you back its equivalent of a local sample, with watermarks in the local language, qualifications and knowledge are confirmed. A certain level is assigned, which is understandable to the employer.

Our diplomas are highly valued because we study for a long time. It does not happen that you have a higher education and have not received any qualifications. Let’s say there are 7 levels in total. We, Russians, are assigned 6 or even 7. The locals have 2, 3, maximum 5. The locals don’t even dream about the 6th level.

Myth 3. It is necessary to report information to the maximum

“Russians are very fond of writing age, number of children, zodiac signs, marital status and other details in their resumes. This is not important for a European employer, — says Maria. We don’t write about it in Europe. There must be a live photograph, a portrait (no need to send a photo where you are in hats, sunglasses, swimsuits or on the seashore with your hands behind your head), a smile is desirable.

You present yourself as a person who is ready to help a particular company with specific knowledge and competencies. Report that you have some experience, and if not, you are ready to get it. And do not load your functionality for the last 10-15 years. The ideal resume is two pages. One page is for a young specialist. You do not need all the ins and outs. And there is no need for academicism in education, sometimes short-term courses are enough.”

Myth 4. Age prevents you from getting a job.

“We don’t write age on resumes, we don’t indicate gender. You do not have the right to refuse because you are old or, for example, a woman with children. This does not happen with foreign employers — they are punished for this with fines.

The question is how you can be of help. What is good about a person with experience is that he can bring in some options that others, less experienced, are not able to offer. There are a lot of people in Europe who are 65, 70, and 90 years old, and they are still working. If you are motivated, if you are interested, this is the most important thing, ”says the career consultant.

Myth 5. Changing a profession is indecent and unrealistic

“It’s never too late to change everything. Especially if you don’t have a job right now. You don’t have any money anyway, and you have nothing to lose, says Maria Lassued. We all have abilities that we are embarrassed to talk about. For example, I like to draw. Since childhood. And nobody knows about it. I’m not going to retrain as an art teacher. But if she wanted to, she would have done it. And in Europe, no one would have condemned me.

In Russia, there will definitely be those who will condemn, say: “I studied in such academies, there is work experience there, but who are you or who are you? Walk my path first, learn and work like me.” But today our hobbies and hobbies can become a source of income and opportunities for self-realization. Instead of listening to others, it’s better to remind yourself of this more often. ”

Maria offers a simple test that will help you find the point of application of your skills and talents. Draw three circles so that they all intersect like the Olympic rings. Above the first circle, write the question «What do I like to do?». Above the second — «What am I good at?» (write yourself and ask your acquaintances, friends, relatives to answer this question for you). And above the third — «What does the market offer now?» (for this, you can study any job site, even Russian).

You can write 5 answers or more. See what matches. Place these matching options in the intersection zone. You may find that you have matches in all three circles. And there will be many of them. This means that you have many abilities and talents, it remains only to decide where to start and where to move in the first place.