Career Advice Detail Europe

General tips for finding and applying for a graduate job in Bulgaria

Where to look and how to apply

There are many routes to find job opportunities: newspapers, Internet, agencies, friends and relatives. A good combination of the available channels will help you to find a job quickly.

We highly recommend that you use all available media to begin your job-search. In this section, we have gathered the necessary information for you in order to not miss any vacancies.

Internet job search

Internet job hunting is fast, easy and cheap. Start your job search from UK and arrive in your Promised Land ready to take actions. There are many job-sites and you can either browse offered jobs by category, or maintain your qualifications and preferences profile and the system will then tell you about suitable job offers as they are posted. Almost all job-sites for the Bulgarian market are also available in English! Start your job searching with the following list of Bulgarian job-sites:

www.jobtiger.bg　- On this site you can browse through job offers and various courses in Bulgaria or learn how to be a successful applicant.

www.jobs.bg　- A portal for jobs and courses with advanced option to search by specific work location, job type, category, career level etc.

www.synteticaconsult.com　- A site with job opportunities and a database for job seekers. Instructions on how to apply for the post and fill out an application. Information on legal work in Bulgaria and some useful links.

www.econ.bg　- Economic portal with updated ads for work in the field of economics. The site also includes links to publications for economics students.

Personal contacts

The majority of available jobs are never advertised, and over half of all employees get their jobs through personal contacts. Tell your friends, family, acquaintances, teachers, and former co-workers that you are looking for a job in Bulgaria. Develop new contacts by joining communities and professional organizations. The people that you know and the people that they know can lead to information about specific job openings abroad. And finally, don’t forget online networking. Join expats forums and job portals’ communities to find new friends and get professional contacts.

Source : https://www.justlanded.co.uk/english/Bulgaria/Bulgaria-Guide/Jobs/How-to-get-a-job

When taking the decision to start working in Bulgarian you need to be clear about a few things beforehand:

The location

Most of the times when receiving the job offer you might need to relocate. Usually the location of the role will be mention in the job offer, but this is not the case every time.

When applying for a job role in Bulgaria your CV need to be written down in Bulgarian language. Also please make a note that when applying to work in big companies or for the government your CV needs to be written down in the official European format. Here is link for the templates and instructions how to fill that properly -> https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/bg/documents/curriculum-vitae/templates-instructions.　

Here are five basic principles for a good CV [5]

1. Concentrate on the essentials

Employers generally spend less than one –two minute reading a CV before deciding to reject it.

If applying for an advertised vacancy, always ensure that you comply with any application process entirely.

Be brief: two A4 pages are usually more than enough, irrespective of your education or experience.

Is your work experience limited? Describe your education and training first; highlight volunteering activities and placements or traineeships.

2. Be clear and concise

Use short sentences. Avoid clichés. Concentrate on the relevant aspects of your training and work experience.

Give specific examples. Quantify your achievements.

Update your CV as your experience develops.

3. Always adapt your CV to suit the post you are applying for

Highlight your strengths according to the needs of the employer and focus on the skills that match the job.

Explain any breaks in your studies or career giving examples of any transferable skills you might have learned during your break.

Before sending your CV to an employer, check again that it corresponds to the required profile.

Do not artificially inflate your CV; if you do, you are likely to be found out at the interview

4. Pay attention to the presentation of your CV

Present your skills and competences clearly and logically, so that your advantages stand out.

Put the most relevant information first.

Pay attention to spelling and punctuation.

Retain the suggested font and layout.

5. Check your CV once you have filled it in

Do not forget to write a cover letter.

Correct any spelling mistakes, and ensure the layout is clear and logical.

Have someone else re-read your CV so that you are sure the content is clear and easy to understand.　

Whenever you apply for a role, take a few minutes to check your CV against the job advert and look for any potential improvements you can make. For example, if you are hiding a crucial qualification at the bottom of your CV, move it to the top and make it prominent.　[3]

Cover Letter

Sending a CV without cover letter is like meeting a potential employer for the first time without introducing yourself.

Your cover letter must convince the reader to read and short-list your CV when faced with hundreds of candidates.

What should a cover letter include?

Although cover letters are a lot less rigid than CVs, there are still some things you should always aim to include.

Here a few essential things you should aim to cover in your cover letter:

Your personal details (e.g. name, address, phone number)
The hiring manager’s name (if you have it)
Where you found the vacancy
Why you’re suitable for the job
What you can do for the company
Closing statements (including thanking the recruiter for their time)

This is guide how to write perfect cover letter-> https://resumegenius.com/cover-letters-the-how-to-guide

The Interview

When it comes to jobs the competition in Bulgaria is huge. That’s why most of the companies avoid taking the decision after the first or second interview. Sometimes you might need to attend to more than 3 or 4 interviews to get a job offer. If you want to work for the government you might need to take a specific exam, related to the job role that you are applying for even before the first interview. Just be patient.

You should realise that interviews are the most important part of the application procedure in Bulgaria. It is important to look interested, therefore ask questions during the interview. It is good to provide examples to prove your achievements.

Never sit until invited in an application interview in Bulgaria. Do not forget to bring copies of your diplomas and references to the interview and never criticise former employers. Furthermore, do not exaggerate, but stay calm and stick to the facts.　

Depending on the complexity of the tasks the future employee will be performing there might be several interviews. Still if you are well prepared and have a strategy none of these interviews will turn out to be an obstacle for you.

The most important rules for candidates in the　job interviewing　process are: be well prepared and be confident.　

Here are a few tips of how to prepare yourself for the job interview:

get acquainted with the name and short history of the company and be prepared to identify yourself with the values of the organization

examine closely the title and description of the position you are applying for; be prepared to talk about your experience and qualifications, as well as for your previous positions, responsibilities, successes and mistakes

familiarize yourself with the goals of the company and be able to answer questions on how you could contribute to better achieving those goals (if the organization is one of a larger size do such a research for the particular department’s objectives)

if the company is an international one you should be prepared to answer questions about it’s origins and the country where the headquarters are located (in　international recruitment　one can observe in general that many companies are proud about their particular culture)

be ready to answer questions on why you actually want to change your current workplace; inform yourself about the average level of compensation for the position in general and, if possible, in the specific organization, too

prepare all questions you were not able to find information for and you are interested in; take copies of your CV with you.

Not on the last place here are a few tips on how to look confident and make an overall good impression:

get dressed appropriately; arrive on time or up to 15 minutes earlier

introduce yourself friendly and do not forget to have a good firm handshake

give short and direct answers to the questions posed, still do not restrain to a simple yes/ no answers

maintain an eye contact with the interviewer(s) during the whole talk; show interest and enthusiasm for the job

have an idea what your final statement will be.[9]

Here are some of the best interview tips for jobseekers given from Dr. Randall S. Hansen:

1. Conduct Research on the Employer, Hiring Manager, and Job Opportunity

Success in a job interview starts with a solid foundation of knowledge on the jobseeker’s part. You should understand the employer, the requirements of the job, and the background of the person (or people) interviewing you. The more research you conduct, the more you’ll understand the employer, and the better you’ll be able to answer interview questions (as well as ask insightful questions" see #8). Scour the organization’s website and other published materials, search engines, research tools, and ask questions about the　company in your network　of contacts.

2. Review Common Interview Questions and Prepare Your Responses

Another key to　interview success　is preparing responses to　expected interview questions. First, ask the hiring manager as to the type of interview to expect. Will it be one-on-one or in a group? Will it be with one person, or will you meet several members of the organization? Your goal is to try to determine what you’ll be asked and to compose detailed yet concise responses that focus on specific examples and accomplishments.

A good tool for remembering your responses is to put them into a story form that you can tell in the interview. No need to memorize responses (in fact, it’s best not to), but do develop talking points. There are excellent　tools　available to help you with interview questions and responses. Also, consider using the　STAR Interviewing Technique.

3. Dress for Success

Plan out a wardrobe that fits the organization and its culture, striving for the most professional appearance you can accomplish. Remember that it’s always better to be overdressed than under" and to wear clothing that fits and is clean and pressed. Keep accessories and jewellery to a minimum. Try not to smoke or eat right before the interview" and if possible, brush your teeth or use mouthwash.

4. Arrive on Time, Relaxed and Prepared for the Interview

There is no excuse ever for arriving late to an interview. Short of a disaster, strive to arrive about 15 minutes before your scheduled interview to complete additional paperwork and allow yourself time to get settled. Arriving a bit early is also a chance to observe the dynamics of the workplace.

The day before the interview, pack up extra copies of your resume or CV and reference list. If you have a portfolio or samples of your work, bring those along too. Finally, remember to pack several pens and a pad of paper to jot notes. Finally, as you get to the offices, shut off your cell phone. (And if you were chewing gum, get rid of it.)

5. Make Good First Impressions

A cardinal rule of interviewing is to be polite and offer warm greetings to everyone you meet" from the parking attendant to the receptionist to the hiring manager. Employers often are curious how job applicants treat staff members" and your job offer could easily be derailed if you’re rude or arrogant to any of the staff. When it’s time for the interview, keep in mind that first impressions" the impression interviewers get in the first few seconds of meeting you" can make or break an interview.

Make a strong first impression by dressing well arriving early, and when greeting your interviewer, stand, smile, make eye contact, and offer a firm but not bone-crushing handshake.

Remember that having a positive attitude and expressing enthusiasm for the job and employer are vital in the initial stages of the interview; studies show that hiring managers make critical decisions about job applicants in the first 20 minutes of the interview.

6. Be Authentic, Upbeat, Focused, Confident, Candid, and Concise

Once the interview starts, the key to success is the quality and delivery of your responses. Your goal should always be authenticity, responding truthfully to interview questions. At the same time, your goal is to get to the next step, so you’ll want to provide focused responses that showcase your skills, experience, and fit" with the job and the employer. Provide solid examples of solutions and accomplishments" but keep your responses short and to the point.

By preparing responses to common interview questions, you’ll ideally avoid long, rambling responses that bore interviewers. Always attempt to keep your interview responses short and to the point. Finally, no matter how much an interviewer might bait you, never badmouth a previous employer, boss, or co-worker. The interview is about you" and making your case that you are the ideal candidate for the job.

7. Remember the Importance of Body Language

While the content of your interview responses is paramount, poor body language can be a distraction at best or a reason not to hire you at worst. Effective forms of body language include smiling, eye contact, solid posture, active listening, and nodding. Detrimental forms of body language include slouching, looking off in the distance, playing with a pen, fidgeting in a chair, brushing back your hair, touching your face, chewing gum, or mumbling.

8. Ask Insightful Questions

Studies continually show that employers make a judgment about an applicant’s interest in the job by whether or not the interviewee asks questions. Thus, even if the hiring manager was thorough in his or her discussions about the job opening and what is expected, you must ask a few questions. This shows that you have done your research and that you are curious. The smart jobseeker prepares questions to ask days before the interview, adding any additional queries that might arise from the interview.

9. Sell Yourself and then Close the Deal

The most qualified applicant is not always the one who is hired; the winning candidate is often the jobseeker who does the best job responding to interview questions and showcasing his or her fit with the job, department, and organization. Some liken the job interview to a sales call. You are the salesperson" and the product you are selling to the employer is your ability to fill the organization’s needs, solve its problems, propel its success.

Finally, as the interview winds down, ask about the next steps in the process and the timetable in which the employer expects to use to make a decision about the position.

10. Thank Interviewer(s) in Person, by Email, or Postal Mail

Common courtesy and politeness go far in interviewing; thus, the importance of thanking each person who interviews you should come as no surprise. Start the process while at the interview, thanking each person who interviewed you before you leave. Writing thank-you emails or notes shortly after the interview will not get you the job offer, but doing so will certainly give you an edge over any of the other finalists who didn’t bother to send thank-you notes.

Final Thoughts on Job Interview Success

Succeeding in job interviews takes research, practice, and persistence. The more effort you put into your interview preparation, the more success you’ll see in obtaining job offers especially if you remember and follow these ten job interviewing tips.
　

Social Media

Social media can be a real help when embarking on your job hunt or career planning. Having a social media presence can support your networking activities and can also help you to identify job opportunities. Remember, that while social media networks can help you find a job, they won’t do it on their own. You need to be strategic and proactive in how you use them.

Manage your online profile

Networking for career progression is a ‘slow burn’ so the real value of social networking is not about ‘getting a job’ – at least not straight away. It's about creating your public, and professional, image – what some career experts call your ‘personal brand’.

Your ‘digital footprint’ is likely to be spread across several different places on the web. You need to ensure that your social presence matches the professional image you want employers to see. Be clear about who you are, what you can offer and what you want, then make sure that message gets across in the different social media that you use.

In social media, the boundaries between personal and professional can be blurred, so you need to decide how much you will reveal. If necessary, have separate accounts for professional and personal use. And don’t forget it works the other way, so don’t let your digital footprint work against you. It’s not just about the ‘off-duty’ photos on Facebook: there are numerous stories of people who were a bit too candid on Twitter about job interviews.

LinkedIn

As a way of actually getting a job, LinkedIn is probably more useful for experienced hires than for graduates. However, it’s a great way to get an online CV that showcases your experience and skills.

Complete your profile as fully as possible, then put the link on your email footer, on Facebook, on your Twitter bio... even on your ‘real’ CV. Update your profile regularly with examples of activities that could enhance your employability. Look at people in jobs you'd like to do, for ideas on how best to present yourself.

Facebook

Facebook has the most potential to be tricky but it should not be a problem if you check your privacy settings regularly. If you’re using Facebook to interact with potential employers, ensure they only see things that fit your professional image. It’s fine to mention your achievements on Facebook, but don’t overdo it.

Nowadays most of the companies have a Facebook pages so you can go there and ask some questions before even applying in the company.

Twitter

Make your Twitter as specific as possible – this will help people decide whether to follow you. Include a website address such as your blog or LinkedIn profile. Add a professional-looking photograph, preferably the same as you use for LinkedIn. State that you are looking for a job.

Blogs

Blogs are a great way to showcase your expertise, particularly if you're looking for work in the media or IT. Post regularly; manage comments and respond appropriately. Spellcheck before you post.

Social networking do’s and don’ts

DO…

use a variety of social media.

use your real name – you want people to find you.

check your privacy settings.

be interesting and helpful: share information, insights and resources.

update regularly.

network – it's social media, so be social!

be generous: share information, thanks and praise.

DON’T…

spam people.

only talk about your job hunt; make sure you are interesting.

expect an immediate job offer.

forget that potential recruiters can and do Google you too!

just be online – remember to meet people in the real world as well. [12]

Using these online platforms is an effective way to impress employers and boost your chances of landing a job

Try Googling yourself and seeing what comes up in the search is a good place to start, suggests Rachel Basger, graduate talent manager at The Hut Group.

By creating strong profiles, coordinated across all the main platforms, you'll find that recruiters may get in touch with you. So manage your Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram accounts correctly and you'll be well placed to reap the career rewards.

As it's a highly creative medium, you're perfectly fine to provide an insight into your personality, putting forward your ideas, opinions and interests. You can also use sites like YouTube, Vimeo and any personal blogs to present yourself to potential employers.

How employers use social media to screen applicants?

It's becoming common among recruiters to look at social profiles to learn more about potential employees before an interview.

When considering what you are putting into the public domain, remember that what you publish can be used to prove or disprove claims that you've made in your　CV and cover letter, or during an　interview. You'll therefore need to give a positive representation of yourself, in the knowledge that potential employers will be viewing your profiles.

Once an interview is over, you'll still be expected to remain engaged - maintaining this connection throughout the recruitment process

Choose a sensible email address and consistent username alongside an appropriate current image for each profile, which should be made publicly visible. You can then link to other platforms that you're using professionally.

5 tips for creating a professional LinkedIn profile:

Write a compelling headline　that makes you stand out from the crowd. Get across your expertise in your chosen career and state why you're unique.

Use your biography　to let recruiters know what type of role you're after and share your current location with them. You can then list your course, key modules, dissertation, work experience, interests, hobbies and key accomplishments - but be selective, as some　part-time jobs　may not be relevant.

Use the 'LinkedIn Groups' feature　to find people sharing job leads in your local area.

Look at people you admire　to find out what they did to get where they are. You can then search similar profiles and companies.

Follow companies　and ensure your contact details are listed, making it easier for potential employers to get in touch. [11]

Online networks are a great alternative to job sites. Millions of recruiters actively search for candidates on LinkedIn, so you can’t afford not to have a presence on there. As well as connecting with prospective employers on the professional networking site, you can obtain recommendations from previous managers, giving recruiters the confidence to trust you.

General infomation

Most jobs in Bulgaria are full-time. The working week is usually 40 hours, and daily work is 8 hours or more, with an additional hour for a lunch break.

Salary standards in the majority of sectors in Bulgaria are lower than in other EU countries. Yet some spheres offer competitive and sometimes international level remunerations. Professionals who are well paid in this country are usually highly qualified IT specialists, visual artists and engineers with knowledge of foreign languages.

Another developing job market in Bulgaria is　tourism. The country boasts a wide range of landscapes and rural and urban areas where tourism is already well established or is emerging. There are winter sports in the mountains, hiking throughout the year, sports like mountain and cross-country biking, etc., and of course the summer peak season on the Black Sea seaside. The hospitality industry in Bulgaria can offer jobs around the year.

Knowledge of one or more foreign languages will definitely be an asset during your　job search.

You can view job offers on general and specialized job websites, as well as on professional social networks. Word-of-mouth and networking might also help if you have friends and contacts in Bulgaria. [2]

Sofia – the capital city of Bulgaria is the place with the lowest unemployment rate in the country. The IT, customer care and marketing sectors offer competitive salaries to both Bulgarians and expats. There is also a demand for highly qualified persons with degrees in engineering, accounting and law. In recent several years many multinational companies have outsourced important departments to Eastern Europe, in cities like Sofia. [1]

Study the job description and any available information you have on the position. Are you mirroring the words and phrases in the job description? Are you showcasing your strengths in the areas that seem to be of paramount importance to this role? Line it up. Line it up.

By lining up with people on the inside of the companies at which you want to work, you will instantly set yourself apart. Decision makers interview people who come recommended or by way of a personal referral before they start sorting through the blob of resumes.

If you’re a covert job seeker, remember to turn off your activity broadcasts (within privacy and settings) when you make edits to your LinkedIn profile. If your current boss or colleagues are connected to you on LinkedIn, they may get suspicious about all the frequent changes.

If you figure out how to harness the power of no other social media tool for job search, figure out LinkedIn. It’s (by far) the best resource we have available today for career and job search networking, for finding people working at companies of interest, and for　positioning yourself to be found by a recruiter　who has a relevant job opening.

Consider crafting, original, genuine thank you notes (one for each interviewer) the moment you get back to a computer, following the interview. The speed with which you send the notes, and the quality, will make an impact.[4]

In this article you will be able to find a lot of information and statistic analysis of the employment as a process in Bulgaria https://forjobhunters.com/%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%B2-%D0%B1%D1%8A%D0%BB%D0%B3%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%8F/#tab-con-2

These are very helpful articles if you are looking to find a job in Bulgaria:

https://www.edna.bg/kak-da/kak-da-si-namerim-nova-rabota-4632826

https://tuk-tam.bg/guide-kak-da-si-namerya-rabota-v-bulgaria/?gclid=CjwKCAjw9qfZBRA5EiwAiq0AbZeJhnbn-YdzguJ4BlneLT4KbwQgTVZQUhCdg2wrCntYF-EtBUWDSRoC4jkQAvD_BwE

Here are the most popular job portals in Bulgaria

www.jobs.bg
www.zaplata.bg
www.rabota.bg
www.jobtiger.bg
www.karieri.bg
www.itjobs.bg
www.ceevee.com
www.jobspartner.bg
www.mycv.bg
www.buljobs.bg
www.bgtrud.com
www.work.bg
www.back2bg.com
www.obiavi.org
www.computerworld.bg/careerzone– IT ads
https://dev.bg/companies/ IT ads
www.jobsagents.com
www.jobco.bg
www.iagora.com/
http://careersinbulgaria.eu/jobs-in-bulgaria/
www.learn4good.com/jobs/language/english/list/country/bulgaria/

And here you can find other websites with job ads

www.555.bg
www.obiavi.bansko.net
www.bezplatno.net
www.forums.bgdev.org– IT forum
www.jobs.borsa.bg
www.botevgrad.com
www.bularts.com
www.bulborsa.com
www.burkan.info
www.jobs.dev.bg　– IT ads
www.dgpazar.eu　– ads for Dimitrovgrad
www.djobs.bg
www.dobrichplus.com　– open positions in Dobrich
www.driverbg.net　– transport positions
www.e-finger.net/jobandeducation/
www.freelance.bg　– freelance IT positions
www.getjobs.eu
www.grad.bg
www.hardwarebg.com　– IT ads
www.jobsagents.com
www.jobspace.bg
www.mediajobs.bg
www.moreto.net　– open positions in Varna
www.mytime.bg
www.napazar.eu
www.obiavi.bg
www.obiavi.com
www.obiavi.info
www.HYPERLINK "http://obiavite.info/"obiavite.info
www.obqvi.me
www.oferti.bg
www.onlineruse.com　– open positions in Ruse
www.plovdiv.bg-rabota.com　– open positions in Plovdiv
www.prepressbg.com　– open positions for designers and about printing technologies
www.proekti.bg
www.pusni.net
www.rabotav.bg
www.rabotnimesta.com
www.rightpersons.com
www.shansnews.vratza.com　– open positions in Vratza
www.www.sofiajobs.com
www.workabroad.bg　– open positions abroad