Ukraine
- About Ukraine
- Working conditions
- Sectors and companies that are recruiting
- Applying for a job
- Major recruitment pointers
- Recruitment Resources and networks
1. About Ukraine
After Russia, the Ukrainian republic was far and away the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union, producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic. Its fertile black soil generated more than one-fourth of Soviet agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantities of meat, milk, grain, and vegetables to other republics. Likewise, its diversified heavy industry supplied the unique equipment (for example, large diameter pipes) and raw materials to industrial and mining sites (vertical drilling apparatus) in other regions of the former USSR. Shortly after independence in August 1991, the Ukrainian Government liberalized most prices and erected a legal framework for privatization, but widespread resistance to reform within the government and the legislature soon stalled reform efforts and led to some backtracking. Output by 1999 had fallen to less than 40% of the 1991 level. Ukraine’s dependence on Russia for energy supplies and the lack of significant structural reform have made the Ukrainian economy vulnerable to external shocks. Ukraine depends on imports to meet about three-fourths of its annual oil and natural gas requirements and 100% of its nuclear fuel needs. After a two-week dispute that saw gas supplies cutoff to Europe, Ukraine agreed to 10-year gas supply and transit contracts with Russia in January 2009 that brought gas prices to “world” levels. The strict terms of the contracts have further hobbled Ukraine’s cash-strapped state gas company, Naftohaz. Outside institutions – particularly the IMF – have encouraged Ukraine to quicken the pace and scope of reforms. Ukrainian Government officials eliminated most tax and customs privileges in a March 2005 budget law, bringing more economic activity out of Ukraine’s large shadow economy, but more improvements are needed, including fighting corruption, developing capital markets, and improving the legislative framework. Ukraine’s economy was buoyant despite political turmoil between the prime minister and president until mid-2008. Real GDP growth exceeded 7% in 2006-07, fueled by high global prices for steel – Ukraine’s top export – and by strong domestic consumption, spurred by rising pensions and wages. Ukraine reached an agreement with the IMF for a $16.4 billion Stand-By Arrangement in November 2008 to deal with the economic crisis, but the Ukrainian Government’s lack of progress in implementing reforms has twice delayed the release of IMF assistance funds. The drop in steel prices and Ukraine’s exposure to the global financial crisis due to aggressive foreign borrowing lowered growth in 2008 and the economy contracted more than 15% in 2009, among the worst economic performances in the world; growth resumed in 2010, buoyed by exports. External conditions are likely to hamper efforts for economic recovery in 2011.
Read more: Information about the Ukraine at www.cia.gov
Population: 45.1 million
GDP per inhabitant (2010): USD 6.700,-
Unemployment rate (09/10): 8.1%
2. Working conditions
Office hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, or perhaps 8.30am to 4.30pm in manufacturing and other environments.
Holidays: minimum holiday entitlement is 21 days after one year’s continuous employment, plus ten public holidays.
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 Ukrainian workplace, as people tend to mix work and socialising. It is usual for Ukrainian employees to be late to meetings by about five to ten minutes. This is seen as acceptable in Ukraine.
Read more: Information about Working conditions in the Ukraine from prospects.ac.uk
Legal working hours : 40.0 hours per week.
Length of trial / notice period: Trial period – 45 days; Notice period – 2 months.
Employment formalities: EU nationals do not need to apply for a visa to enter Ukraine but will need one if they are planning to work or study there. If you wish to work in the Ukraine, your potential employer will need to apply for permission from the Ukrainian Ministry for Work and prove that the job could not be filled by a Ukrainian national. Your employer will then send you a work permit which you will need to include in your visa application. For a student visa, you will need a letter of invitation from the university or Ministry of Education of Ukraine. If you are not a UK national, contact the Ukrainian embassy in the country where you are currently residing about how to obtain visas and work permits. If you are living in the UK, go to Ukrainian Embassy. You might also find it helpful to contact your ministry of foreign affairs (or your own embassy if you are not living in your home country) to ask whether there are any issues to be taken into account when considering working in Ukraine.
3. Sectors that are recruiting
Information Technologies
Companies that are recruiting: No information available;
Major industries: electric power, coal, metals and chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, food processing (especially sugar).
4. Applying for a job
Application documents: Application in response to an advertisement is usually by CV, but speculative applications and word of mouth are also means of finding work. If you do approach a company speculatively, ensure you explain why you want to move to Ukraine and what you hope to achieve. You should target your application to their specific organisation. They need to understand why employing you, rather than a Ukrainian citizen, would be beneficial to them. It may be useful to supply certificates or other documents relating to your qualifications at the time of application, so the potential employer can see how suitable you are.
Advice regarding the CV: CV in Russian or Ukrainian – for local companies and CV in English – for international companies; Cover letter (motivation letter) with explaining why do you think you are the best fit candidate for the position.
5. Major recruitment pointers
Business Etiquette/knowing how to behave during interviews: Nicely dressed, business style, shake hands with recruiter – it is not really necessary. It is important to be on time. Interview processes depend on the type of job applied for. Interviews usually involve at least two stages: an initial interview with someone from Human Resources, then a further interview with the potential line manager. Some recruiters use combinations of several interviews (perhaps with the HR manager, potential line manager, senior manager and the company director), psychometric testing, assessment centre, collection of references and security service checks.
Languages you must be able to speak: After Ukraine achieved independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991, Ukrainian has become the official language. Around 67% of the population speak Ukrainian, while about 24% speak Russian. In practice, most Ukrainians are bilingual, and in some eastern areas of the country, such as the Crimea, Russian is the main language. It is certainly helpful to learn Ukrainian and details of summer courses in Ukraine are available from the Eurolingua Institute and Study in Ukraine. Teach yourself courses are available from Eurotalk Interactive.
Flagship training:National University of the name of Tarasa Shevchenka, National University of “Kiev Mogyla Academy”, National Technical University (KPI – Kiev polytechnic institute).
Compensation&Benefits / Taxes: Fixed salary + bonus or % (for sales positions). Company car, medical and life insurance, laptop are usually offered by international companies. Corporate mobile for sales/client service positions are often offered. Profit sharing scheme is usually using for top-management positions. Deference between gross and net salary is 16-18%.
6. Recruitment resources and networks
Important business networking sites:
www.facebook.com
www.linkedIn.com
www.Headhunter.ua
www.rabota.ua
www.ukrjob.com.ua
Where to network:
Recruitment agencies, newspaper’s ads and internet.
