International professionals looking to get additional experience in the energy and construction sectors have long had the option of working in Russia. This nation is a powerhouse when it comes to oil and natural gas. Though major companies are government-run, foreigners can still find opportunities in this lucrative industry. In addition, Russia always needs building and remodeling, particularly in the country’s major cities, Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Working in this country has been incredibly popular since the major shift that started in the 1990s. Both good and bad things have come about for the populace as a result of the shift to an open market economy. Overall, nevertheless, foreign workers and Russian nationals have benefited from the enormous economic boom of the last ten years.
Russian labor market
Big cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg is said to have the most jobs in the nation. This makes sense, as these areas are bustling with activity. It’s important to note that unemployment did jump in July 2020, likely due to COVID-19. Around a quarter of Russia’s economy relies on people working, and Moscow has the most jobs available overall. The service sector employs more than half of all workers in the nation, with retail, tourism, health care, and education being the most important service industries. The building, mining, and manufacturing industries are the three biggest industrial segments.
In the major Russian cities, there is plenty of employment available in English with major international corporations. The following are a few of the largest foreign employers in Russia:
- EuropeanChem
- Philip Morris Internationalย
- Apple
The biggest Russian employers include:
- Gazprom (Oil and gas)
- Lukoil (Oil and gas)
- The Russian Sberbank (Finance)
- Russian Railways (Transport)
- PAO Rosseti (Energy)
Jobs available in Russia
It may not be simple to find employment openings in Russia depending on your history. English speakers have options such as working for multinational corporations in sectors like energy, finance, or construction and teaching English or local languages like French or German. Another option is translating if you are multilingual. English instructors ought to check out BKC International. In Moscow, the following industries have greater demand: IT, business development, finance, human resources, pharmaceutical and medical. In St. Petersburg, there are not enough sales experts, Operators, and Engineers, technical experts
How to look for work in Russia
Opportunities can be found in Moscow and St. Petersburg on a number of job boards and recruitment agencies. That being said, they are most appropriate for highly qualified individuals who want to target larger business organizations. Your CV must be sent in English to the majority of those agencies by email or online. Making direct contact with foreign businesses from your own country and inquiring about their presence in Russia is another helpful strategy for finding employment there. It is more likely for these businesses to employ foreign workers in Russia.
Public employment services
In addition to providing information on working in this nation, the Russian Federal Service for Labour and Employment (ROSTRUD) also operates an employment service.
Work visa and legal requirements
While finding a job in this country as an expat, keep in mind that there is a very important step to take which is obtaining the appropriate visa. The ability to work lawfully in Russia is like having a unique magic key. Firstly, obtain a job offer from a Russian company first and foremost. As your sponsor, they will work with you to obtain the visa. Your firm will then submit the work permit application on your behalf. Consider it official permission to work in your new capacity from the Russian government. The Russian embassy or consulate in your home country is where you can apply for a work visa. This should only be done after receiving a work permit. As a requirement of the application, a medical exam may occasionally be necessary which is a means of guaranteeing that everyone remains well. Ultimately, the local migration office is where you must register your visa upon arrival in the country. Like signaling to them that you’ve arrived officially, it’s like checking in.
Labor laws and labor rights
The Russian Labour Code of 2002 contains the country’s employment laws. Written contracts should govern employment. There are three primary categories of contracts, according to the Russian Labour Code:
- Employment contract with free text which includes termination clause but lacks fixed validity duration
- A definite-time employment contract for temporary employees cannot exceed five years.
- A two-month-long seasonal employment contract.
Depending on the reason for termination, different notice periods apply to contracts in Russia. They can be as little as two months’ notice (in situations like layoffs or business liquidations). When quitting, employees often have to give at least two weeks’ notice.
Jobs websites in Russia for expats
- CareerJet
- ExpatRu
- HeadHunter.ru
- IAgora
- JobRapido
- Learn4Good
- Moscowjob.net
- Rabota
- SuperJob.ru
- TrovitRussia
- Xpat Jobs
You may also find these articles helpful
Finding a job in Mongolia as an expat
Finding a job in Kyrgyzstan as an expat
Finding accommodation in Austria