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 Ukraine: Job market
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What are my chances of getting a job?Although some UK companies operate in Ukraine, opportunities for new graduates may be rare. Finding work with a Ukrainian company, although not impossible, is unlikely. - Typical problems encountered: employers tend to be looking for graduates with a few years’ relevant experience. There is a degree of corruption within the system. Fluency in Ukrainian is often a requirement.
- How to improve your chances: You could find work as a teacher of English, through an exchange programme or voluntary project - agencies that organise this will often assist you with visa requirements. Learning Ukrainian will be a great advantage.
- Language requirements: After Ukraine achieved independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991, Ukrainian has become the official language. About 67% of the population now regard Ukrainian as their first language, while about 29% prefer to use Russian. In practice, most Ukrainians are bilingual, and in some eastern areas of the country, such as the Crimea, Russian is the main language. Minority languages include Romanian, Polish and Hungarian. Basic help with learning Ukrainian can be found at Best of Ukraine. Details of summer courses in Ukrainian (and Russian) in Ukraine are available from the Eurolingua Institute and Study in Ukraine and Hot Courses has a list of courses in the UK. Teach yourself courses are available from Eurotalk Interactive.
back to top Where can I work?- Major industries: coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food processing (especially sugar).
- Recent growth areas: IT, space technology.
- Industries in decline: steel, chemicals and machinery, especially as a result of the current (2009) economic downturn.
- Shortage occupations: there is currently a demand for experienced professionals across many industries, including finance and law, as the Ukrainian education system is not yet able to provide enough qualified personnel.
- Major companies: Multinationals with a base in Ukraine include PriceWaterhouseCoopers, KPMG and Proctor and Gamble. Companies in Ukraine with British connections include British Airways and Galaxosmithkline. Some opportunities exist for those with relevant experience working for organisations such as the World Bank or international non-governmental organisations.
- Search for more companies: BizUkraine, the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Global Business Gateways, Europages, Kompass. The British Embassy Ukraine website has a directory of businesses in Ukraine with UK connections.
- Major cities: Kiev (or Kyiv) (capital and largest city), Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Odessa, Donetsk.
back to top What’s it like working in Ukraine?- Average working hours: similar to the UK: office hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, or perhaps 8.30 to 4.30 in manufacturing and other environments.
- Holidays: minimum holiday entitlement is 21 days after one year’s continuous employment, plus ten public holidays.
- Average graduate starting salary: around 93000 HVA Ukrainian Hryvnia (roughly £10,000).
- Tax rates: non-residents working in Ukraine pay 15% income tax as well as contributions towards the state pension fund, the state employment fund and social insurance reserves.
- Working practices and customs: the handshake along with a statement of your name is the usual greeting in business situations. Friendships with business colleagues are important in the Ukraninan workplace, as people tend to mix work and socializing. A fair amount of time might be spent ‘warming up’ at the start of meetings e.g. discussion of the weather, the family, plans for the evening, etc., but once the meeting has started communication which is direct (but tactful where necessary) will be appreciated.
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