Nina is well qualified but has some misconceptions about Western companies and should consider directing her job search at another sector.

There are both positive and negative sides to Nina’s job history. The negative side is the long period spent without fulltime work; this influences not only her professional qualities, but the potential employer’s attitude toward her as well. A candidate should attend training courses during this period, should the opportunity present itself — as Nina did.

But let’s discuss the ability to speak English, for instance. A person shouldn’t attend only one course, even if it is very intensive and well taught. As Nina has pointed out in her resume, she hasn’t had experience in making use of her knowledge of the language, and so she fails to keep up to a high level. Western banks expect employees to speak English well, and the lack of practice could influence Nina’s opportunity to find a job in a banking environment.

It should also be taken into consideration that the banking business has been in stagnation for a long time. A great number of bank employees can find jobs only by explaining their personal and professional connections. Due to this fact, there is a large rotation in Russian- and even in Western banks.

If a candidate decides to apply to recruitment agencies in the banking sector, they should send resumes to all the Moscow agencies (of which there are more than 200). I would advise applying to those agencies that specialize in finding qualified employees for banks. The candidate should spend time discovering what the agency specializes in, making use of informational materials, advertisements, Websites, etc.

Nina’s belief that she won’t have to work overtime in Western companies is mistaken. In well-known foreign companies this practice is widespread, and sometimes overtime work is not paid separately.

The starting salary for positions that Nina can aspire to (for example, in the sphere of financial management or analysis) will not exceed $400-$450. That is the situation in the labor market now. A person should take into consideration the possibilities for career advancement in specific companies, however.

Now let’s consider Nina’s strong points. As I see it, her solid basic education is a plus — she graduated from Moscow State University’s Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Cybernetics. Also, as I understand from her resume, Nina has some software experience. I would advise her to expand her field of search by adding software developing companies, Internet providers, etc. This market is rapidly growing and has great prospects. For example, I think Nina could look for a position as a processing manager or account manager in a software company. Quite recently, I placed a young woman with similar education and experience in a processing manager’s position. The vacancy opened in a big Russian company specializing in software development, and her starting salary was $500. If Nina is interested in such positions, I would advise her, in addition to placing her info on the Internet (job.ru, joblist.ru, etc.) to send her resume directly to relevant companies. Many of them maintain their own job-seeker databases. She would probably get an offer quickly. Most companies in the sector offer good packages and attractive career opportunities.

In general, employers normally make the decision to employ an applicant if they see a genuine interest in his or her eyes in the job in question.

Finally, I have quite a few critical notes concerning Nina’s resume.

1. A resume should specify positions the applicant believes he or she is qualified for. In Nina’s case, these would include management accountant, financial analyst, etc. Sometimes it is reasonable to compose several resumes for different positions accentuating different skills and experience.

2. Nina’s resume says that from 1994-99 she worked as head of department in a bank’s payment center. But she should make it clear that she started as an operator and was promoted, including time periods and job descriptions.