Estonia
Finding work in Estonia in the present climate may prove to be difficult. Like many countries, the effects of the worldwide economic downturn have had a big impact on Estonia’s small working population. Unemployment is at 14% and is expected to rise as industries stop any new employment.
However, Estonia is more financially stable than some neighbouring states and prior to the financial crisis, was growing at a swift rate. Tallinn, the country’s capital, will be European Capital of Culture in 2011, which will bring investment and interest to the area.
Many Estonian companies commonly use online application forms. However, a CV and covering letter are still a popular method of application.
Estonian CVs are similar to those widely used in the UK. They follow a reverse chronological order and are structured according to sections such as personal details, education, employment history, skills and references.
You should adapt your CV to match each job you apply for. Covering letters should be no more than one page and focus on why you consider yourself the right person for the job. Larger organisations accept applications in English but many smaller companies may expect applications in Estonian.
An interview is considered to be the most important part of the selection procedure and you must be prepared for it. Make sure you have researched the company you have applied to and know as much as possible about the role. Bring important documents, like your CV and references, if requested. If you are successful, you will probably be told over the phone; if you don’t get the job, you will be told in writing.
If you wish to compare your professional, vocational or technical qualifications with Estonian qualifications, consult the ENIC-NARIC website for information on comparability of your qualifications.
For information about regulated professional qualifications in European countries, please visit Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
If you are planning to live and work in Estonia, check your UK tax and National Insurance position with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to ensure you are not losing any UK pension rights.
All of the above have English versions of their websites. Some vacancy posts are in English but many are in Estonian.
The EURES - European Job Mobility Portal, maintained by the European Commission, provides information about job vacancies in Estonia and a CV-posting service, as well as information about working conditions, labour markets, etc.
Estonia is a member of the International Confederation of Private Employment Agencies (CIETT). Estonia is a developing market for agencies and there are no laws in place to regulate their activities.
In recent times, some of the universities have started to organise careers fairs. Visit their websites for details of forthcoming events.
As with other countries, personal contacts are also a good way of learning about job opportunities. Networking and building relationships with people who might be able to assist your job search is as prevalent in Estonia as it is across other European countries.
It is not usual for foreign nationals to undertake work experience or internships with Estonian organisations. However, there are plenty of opportunities to gain work experience via exchange programmes and gap-year organisations.
Estonia participates in the Comenius programme, where future language teachers may apply for a grant to spend three to eight months as a language assistant in a host school.
Estonia is a member of The European Voluntary Service (EVS), which helps 18-25 year olds find voluntary work for 6-12 months in member countries. Opportunities cover different areas including youth work and the environment.
It has not been usual for foreign nationals to undertake casual work. However, with a burgeoning tourism trade, this could be set to change, as demand for foreign-speaking workers increases.
Concordia International Volunteers are partners with the Estonia Youth Exchange Service and offers the chance to work on youth camps in the country.
Estonia also has opportunities for ski instructors and TEFL teachers. See TEFL.com for more information.
For further ideas and advice see gap year.
The academic branch of higher education follows the three tier system of Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees. Bachelor-level study is normally for three years (bakalaureusekraad). Masters-level study is normally for one or two years, with a Bachelors degree being a prerequisite (magistrikraad).
Following Masters-level study is Doctoral study, lasting between three and four years (doktorikraad). The exceptions to this are medicine, veterinary science, architecture, pharmacy and civil engineering, which are taken as long-cycle study, lasting five to six years and leading to the magistrikraad.
You may study a wide range of subjects at magistrikraad and doktorikraad level. Estonia also has a number of specialist institutions in the arts, science, business and technology. Many postgraduate courses are offered in English.
There are six public universities:
The University of Tartu is the only general institution. All other institutions specialise in a particular field. There are four private universities and several private professional higher education institutions. Full details are available at Smart Estonia.
As with UK universities, most Estonian institutions require a Bachelors-level degree or equivalent for admission to postgraduate study. For Doctoral-level study, a Masters-level qualification is sometimes preferred. It is advisable to check with the institution you wish to apply to for their individual entry requirements.
Closing dates vary according to each institution. Please check each institution’s website for details.
Fees range from €1023 - €6730 (16,000 - 105,000 EEK) a year. Graduate and postgraduate study is more expensive. Check with the individual institution’s website for specific details for each course.
Yes, some institutions do offer scholarships to eligible and exceptional applicants. Visit their individual websites for details.
Estonia is part of the Erasmus programme, which enables students from 31 countries to study for a period of time in another country.
Please refer to the UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom) website for information about recognition of academic qualifications.
You may also want to visit the UK National Europass Centre (UK NEC) website for information on how to make your skills and qualifications easily understood in Estonia.
EU and EEA citizens do not need a visa or work permit. However, they must apply for residence permit/ID card if the length of stay exceeds three months. You must register within three months and you will be granted temporary residency. Go to the Estonian Ministry of the Interior for more information.
Non-EU or EEA citizens may require a visa or work permit. Some are eligible to work without a visa for up to three months in a six-month period, though they must register for short-term work. Check the arrangements between your home country and Estonia. Visit the Estonian Embassy website for details. More information is also available through the Police and Border Guard Estonia .
If you require a visa, you may apply via the Estonian Embassy using their online application form. The completed application must be printed out, signed and presented to the Estonian Embassy. Processing visa applications usually takes 5-10 days but can take up to 30 days. Full details, including fees, are available on the UK Estonian Embassy website.
To apply for long-term resident status, you must have held a temporary residence permit in Estonia for at least five years. Applications are submitted to the Police and Border Guard Estonia .
The Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund is the equivalent of the UK’s Jobcentre. There is one central office in Tallinn and 15 regional offices. They handle vacancies, manage the allocation of state unemployment benefits, provide advice and information about searching for work, training opportunities, etc.
Some higher education institutions in Estonia do have their own dedicated careers service. The services they offer are comparable with those in UK universities. See for example:
These services are available to international students at the relevant institutions. If you are not studying, it is advisable to contact the relevant institution to check if their services are available to you and if so whether there are any costs to non-students.
The British Embassy Estonia is located in Tallinn. They help British visitors in case of emergency situations.
The number to dial in Estonia for police, ambulance and fire services is 112.
Find the latest travel advice and a traveller's checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.
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