Employment in Armenia: Personal and Professional Tips

I hope that sharing my personal and professional experience and tips for the job searching process in Armenia will be insightful.

General overview of the labor market in Armenia

- COVID-19 panedmic and the Artsakh War significantly affected the labor market in Armenia. Some people lost their jobs during the first wave of the pandemic, and many companies suspended their hiring process during the war. The situation has changed so far, and more vacancies are appearing every day.

- Traditionally, IT/Software Development, Sales and Service Management, Marketing and Advertisement, Design as well as Logistics have many positions to offer.

- More and more vacancies are available in various NGOs, and this is related also to the post-war recovery period and never-ending challenges that Armenia and Artsakh face.

Personal experience in job searching process: SEARCH, FOLLOW, APPLY and NETWORK PROACTIVELY

- My job searching process started three months before the planned move to Armenia. I was applying almost every day to all suitable positions. I used most of all www.staff.am and www.careercenter.am

- A couple of days before my move, I got my first positive feedback from a potential employer, and we had a Zoom interview. I passed it successfully, and the next stage was to complete a written assignment that I submitted already being physically in Armenia. Unfortunately, two weeks later, I got a notification that I was not chosen for the position. I did not give up and continued the searching process.

- When I moved to Armenia, the first thing I did - contacted Repat Armenia Foundation for integration support. I was interested in getting citizenship and finding a job. The integration manager (now my colleague Dzovag Soghomonian) helped me with the CV editing according to the Armenian standards and shared all available platforms and websites for the job searches, as well as shared many insightful tips.

- I kept applying and getting no feedback from most places or getting “not being selected” notifications. However, a month later, after my move, I was invited to another interview which went super well and resulted again in no feedback (even though they promised to provide it the same day). I followed up with the organization two weeks later via email and got no feedback. I moved on.

- I was invited to another interview which I passed successfully and the written test too. I was hired by that NGO (as an Administrative and Logistics Assistant), and my real integration into Armenian society started from that day. The salary was not high, but it was not essential because I wanted to start with something. After the 3-month probation, I got a promotion, and the salary raised by 35%. Just FYI, I hold one specialist and two master's degrees and was getting relatively high salary back in Minsk. This first job placement was taken as an opportunity for future growth in Armenia.

- So, I spent almost three months in Armenia searching for a job. I recommend being proactive and also do not exclude freelance opportunities within that period. Thank God I had this opportunity as a professional translator.

- Also, alongside the job searching process, you can enroll in some courses you are interested in. I was enrolled in a free academic program on the legal approximation to the EU acquis according to the Armenia-EU CEPA agreement at Brusov University. Use your free time wisely, engage in self-education opportunities, practice new skills or improve the existing ones.

- Volunteer your free time (donate your skills). This is what I was doing for Repat Armenia Foundation as a native Russian speaker for a couple of months during the quarantine regime last spring. Since I was saving time due to the working from the home mode, I had more free time to devote it to volunteering.

Professional insights and tips on the job searching process (as integration manager of Repat Armenia):

- Your perfect CV. Make sure that the CV does not exceed two pages. It can be more only if you have more than ten years of experience. However, we recommend keeping it on one page. Pay attention to the formatting, no red colors in the CV, the photo is not obligatory here, delete the personal details (date of birth, nationality, marital status, hobbies/interests). Save your CV in PDF format - Name_Surname_CV. You can use special CV-designing tools, too.

- The first step for your job searching process will be joining our closed Facebook group. In this group, both our team and HRs representing different companies share vacancies daily. You can post here as well for opportunities or suggest job announcements.

- Subscribe to our WhatsApp and Telegram channels for vacancies.

-  Actively network and participate in Repat Armenia’s integration and community events. Update your LinkedIn profile and join relevant Facebook groups (HR.AM CLUB, Գործ կա)

- For a more successful job search, please check out all available job search websites in Armenia. Those platforms advertise day-to-day vacancies available in the Armenian market from various fields and backgrounds. We recommend checking out the majority of the websites for a more efficient search. This list also has a collection of international freelance job platforms, in case you are interested in working remotely from Armenia to abroad or you prefer working as a freelancer. 

- When applying for a vacancy, please do not forget to have an email subject (usually the position’s name). Be polite and respectful and follow the rules of official correspondence. If a cover letter or motivation letter is needed, attach it separately. You can Google for the best examples. Some positions require a portfolio (designers, architects). I recommend making it a separate document attached alongside your CV.

- Think out of the box and be flexible in the searching process. Search for not only the jobs in your professional area but also those matching your other skills. For example, you are coming from Lebanon, chances are you have a good command of four languages: Armenian, Arabic, English, and French.

- Once you are at an interview, keep calm and act natural. Do not try to overimpress your potential employer. Talk about the relevant skills and competencies and show that you are a team player who can be an asset to this organization. Learn more about the company, its history, mission before an interview.

- For professional advice and guidance, you can always rely on us.  Feel free to contact our Case Manager Asya at [email protected] 

- Remember, those who search always find. Never underestimate what you are capable of.

Marianna Chobanyan

Programs Manager of Repat Armenia