Securing Your First Job/Internship As A Student In Estonia
Numerous reasons may have compelled you to choose Estonia as your study destination and amongst those reasons is the ability to work full time alongside your studies. Several economic metrics suggest that Estonia is developing rapidly in a sustainable manner. The tech boom has created numerous opportunities not only within the tech-industry but also other ancillary industries that cater to the tech industry.
Estonia is perhaps the only nation in the developed world that allows students to work-full time alongside their studies upon receiving proper documents. Securing a decent job anywhere in the world is a tough task. Neither I nor anyone for that matter can provide you with an accurate answer as to the length of time it will take you to secure a job as numerous factors such as previous experience and language proficiency have to be considered. As a first semester Bachelors student in a non-tech study program, I have secured an amazing job at an Engineering firm and the steps below are those that have personally assisted me in securing this job and previous jobs.
1.Build Your CV/Resume
Every one of us, including myself had to start somewhere. I built up my resume by initially doing numerous unpaid internships and by actively participating in student organisations in my previous college. In many instances tasks at these internships involved menial work such as stacking tables and answering phone calls. But every subsequent internship I secured often involved more responsibilities and cumulatively they eventually resulted in paid positions. If you lack or do not have work experience, employees would be hard pressed to hire you. Thus, your best bet would be to secure internships. Though a paid internship would be best, even if it is unpaid, apply! Internships usually run for short durations and depending on your performance they could turn into full-time positions.
2. Patience is a virtue
Financial circumstances differ. The approval of your D-Visa would suggest that you have adequate funds to sustain yourself at-least for a year in Estonia. Nonetheless, life happens and there might be unexpected expenses that might need to be covered. It is fairly easy to become a Bolt or Wolt courier. However, my advice would be to work as a courier for an extremely short period of time to help you get on your feet should you be in a dire financial situation. Though these jobs provide an income, they have very little to no impact on strengthening your resume and they can often be extremely strenuous especially during the winter months. If your long term goal is to live and work in Estonia, working as a Bolt courier might not assist you in securing a decent job following graduation. Patience is key when securing a long-term position and while securing a job as a Bolt Courier is fairly easy, being patient is a far more rewarding endeavour when on the job search.
3. Language Proficiency
The two major languages in Estonia are Estonian and Russian. Securing a job should be a fairly easy if you speak either one of those languages in any field. Nevertheless, most tech jobs often do not have language requirements as all that is required is the appropriate technical skill and or experience. If you do not speak Estonian, Russian and do not possess technical skills required by the tech industry, it would be advantageous if you are proficient in English language. English is a global language and it is still is the preferred language of business in some parts of the world and this includes Tallinn, Estonia. Surpassing the IELTS/TOEFL admissions requirements, does not automatically make you proficient in the English language.There is the form of English that you utilise to communicate with your peers and then there is Business English, which often times is a lot more formal and technical. Consider enrolling in a Business Communication class to improve your English skills as well as an introductory Estonian and or Russian course to further strengthen your other language skills.
4. Perseverance is a necessity
Over a span of two months, I applied to over 15 jobs, received 12 rejections, secured 5 interviews and received 3 job-offers. You may lose the battle, but not the war! No rejection fazed me nor did I let it dampen my spirits. If you have applied to numerous jobs and have had rejections like I have, just keep on continuing the job hunt. Numerous reasons may have contributed to the rejection of your application, such as a competitive applicant pool, your failure to meet the requirements and this can often be beyond your control. I applied to every job and entered every interview with the same level of vigour and motivation. Statistics favours you, the job applicant. Apply to as many jobs that you meet the requirements of, and even if you are rejected from all the jobs you have applied to with the exception of one, you have succeeded!
Hopefully this article has been beneficial in assisting you on your job hunt. We, the Student Ambassadors at TalTech, wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year and the best of luck in job hunting this upcoming year.
