A 37-year-old Latin American who is married with a child, Miguel says he needs job-

hunting advice. He has been unemployed since the beginning of July. The place where he used to work was sad to see him go, but he felt that he had no prospects for career growth there. He is a graduate in food science and technology but wants a job in economic analysis.

His work experience to date

He came to Russia with a joint-venture restaurant chain and occupied a managerial position in food manufacturing. But he was made redundant as a result of the streamlining of the company’s retail operations, and has since found it hard to get a job in his area of specialty. His last job, as a sales manager, lasted for three years. His main responsibility was to find and visit clients all over Russia, who were interested in buying large quantities of second-hand clothes. But he achieved his aims there, and in the end the job became routine for him.

What he wants to work in and where

Miguel says he would be interested in working in market or data analysis, but that unfortunately market research isn’t a priority for many companies in Russia. He has read a lot about data analysis in specialty publications and did some research in the second-hand clothes market at his last place of work. But he is above all keen to work in finance, economic research or investment analysis. He says that he is interested in getting a job in a bank or foreign organization such as The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). In addition, he says that he would also be prepared to work as an assistant to a director. Miguel says he would be willing to relocate to St. Petersburg or elsewhere if the job prospects were worth it.

The problem

The problem is that he hasn’t got an educational background in economics, although he has been interested in the subject, as well as finance, for a long time. He wants professional advice as to how to make the jump from food and sales.

His job search to date

He has found it hard to get a job in his area of specialty (food science). He sends his CV out frequently but companies don’t get back to him. He feels that the job market is very tight, that most people get jobs through connections and that vacancies are only published as a formality. He says that many employers don’t want to employ foreigners, possibly because they don’t know how long a foreigner will stay with their company. In fact, in Miguel’s case, such worry is unnecessary because he is married and has two kids and no plans to leave Russia.

Miguel also feels that it is easy for a job seeker to be deceived by companies and employment agencies that charge a fee for interviewing a job applicant.

He has a list of Hispanic companies, but hasn’t got round to sending his CV off to them yet. He says that he knows how to write a cover letter and is confident about the presentation of his CV.

His language skills

He studied in the state of Texas in the United States and, as a result, speaks excellent English, but he feels that Russians are mistrustful of the quality of his English and are often looking for a native speaker. He also speaks fluent Russian, as he has lived in Russia for four-and-a-half years.

His salary expectations

He says that $600 or $700 a month is the minimum he is willing to earn for an entry-level job in finance. If he were to get a job in data analysis in the area of sales, then he would naturally expect a higher salary that would reflect his experience.

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