19.04.2005
III. Looking for a job? (Ищете новую работу?) 1. Where to look for a job (где искать новую работу)
The most famous Russian want ads are Из рук в руки, a newspaper published daily in a format very much like The Thrifty Nickel in America. However, much like want ads in the states, those in Russia are not generally considered effective. Websites are better (see below), particularly since companies know that if a candidate applies through the Internet, they probably know how to work a computer and computer skills are still a fair rarity in Russia. The most effective means to find a job, of course, is through personal contacts. In Russian there is are phrases for this including: "пошарить по своим каналам," "пошарить по своим знакомым," "пошарить по старам каналам," "продавить по своим каналам." All of these phrases mean "to pull strings," although they are more formal in use. Commentary: The following are the top five most popular Russian sites for searching for a job (as listed by Rambler.ru): www.job.ru; www.rabota.ru; www.joblist.ru; www.superjob.ru; www.zarplata.ru. 2. How to apply for a job (как подавать заявление о приеме на работу)
A. The application (форма заявления)
Applications are not particularly common in Russia, save for in some international companies. Often, when an application is used, it is "short and sweet," not the monsters one usually encounters in America. We have included here an example application from McDonald's (as a zipped pdf file). B. The resume (резюме)
The resume is considered the primary document with which one applies for a job. They look much like they do in English, although often a photo is included, as one is usually kept with employee records anyway. For an example of a resume in Russian, click here.
C. The job interview (собеседование при приеме на работу)
Usually begins with a short telephone interview (собеседование по телефону), to determine the candidate's basic qualifications including, for example, availability for the job/workday, education, past work history, friendliness, certifications and knowledge of a foreign language. This interview is often conducted by the human resources manager.
If the telephone interview goes well, the candidate is called in for a face-to-face interview (личное собеседование). This interview is often conducted with several people, including the company director, the head of the department and sometimes even a company psychologist. Part of this interview may be conducted in a foreign language, if that is a requirement for the job. English is the most important foreign language in Russia but depending on the nationality of the company or clientele, German, Chinese, Swedish, etc. may also be the make-or-break issue to getting hired.
IV. Getting Hired (найм на работу) 1. The Job Contract (Трудовой договор; контракт)
ALL employment in Russia must be by contract. The contract stipulates what the employee’s job description and compensation will be. Generally the job description is very broadly defined, since an employer may not ask an employee to perform a duty not defined in the job contract without providing extra compensation. This job contract may stipulate any requirement or condition, but may not impinge upon a worker's rights as set forth by the Labor Code of the Russian Federation (Трудовой Кодекс Российской Федерации). 2. Documentation (документация) A. Passport (паспорт)
A copy of the employee's passport is made for company records. National passports are the major means of ID in Russia and must be carried by all persons over the age of 16 at all times. Russian police may stop any person at any time without cause and if that person does not have proper identification, they are subject to heavy fines and detention. Separate international passports are used for foreign travel. 
Soviet Issue
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Federation Issue
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B. The “Work Book” (трудовая книжка)
Roughly equivalent to the American Social Security Card, this passport-sized document provides proof of where, when, and how long an employee worked in a given position and location, though no remark is made to the exact duties performed or performance quality. The work book is required to claim retirement funds from the state. The employer must keep the book for the duration of employment and return it, updated, signed, and stamped, on the last day of employment. C. Photographs (фотографии)
Most employers will also collect several passport-sized photographs of their employees. These are standard in company records and are often needed to make a special pass (пропуск) for the employee. Russia is awash with security guards, a holdover from the soviet era, and most employees must show a пропуск as special identification to access their work places. D. Other information (другая информация)
Employers have the right to collect other personal identification as required by company policy and/or the law, with certain restrictions (information about religious and political beliefs, for example, is forbidden).
3. The "Work Order" (приказ о назначении на должность)
By Russian law, the employer must issue an executive order saying that the employee has been hired no less than three days after the contract takes effect. This order must be counter-signed by the employee. Similar orders (приказы) document any change in the employee’s status with the company (raises, vacations, promotions, disciplinary actions, etc.) - After these steps, the employee is legally hired.  | Special Thanks to:
Alexey Panteleev, Artem A. Babamuratov, Chet Bowling and especially to the employees of Alinga Consulting Group, a business consulting and audit firm with offices in Moscow and Boston, for their help in compiling and verifying this information. ACG is a sister company to SRAS. |
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