When I first moved to Estonia as an international student, finding a job felt like a daunting task. I was in a new country, unfamiliar with the job market, and didn’t speak the language. But through trial and error, and with the help of several resources, I was eventually able to land both jobs and internships. I hope sharing my experience can help others navigate their own job search.
Photo by: Renee Altrov
Navigating Online Job Platforms
The first tools I turned to were CV.ee and CVKeskus, two of the most popular job platforms in Estonia. These sites were invaluable, offering a wide range of job listings across different industries and locations. I was able to filter searches for English-speaking positions, remote jobs, and jobs based in my city. Although I got my fair share of rejections, these platforms made it easy to apply and receive feedback quickly.
Like many others, I already had a LinkedIn profile but hadn’t used it much for job hunting in Estonia. To my surprise, it became a useful tool, especially for finding remote opportunities outside Estonia. I managed to land a few interviews. LinkedIn wasn’t my favourite platform, but it’s good to know it offers another option, particularly for remote work.
Photo by: Riina Varol
University Resources
One of the most helpful discoveries during my search was the University of Tartu’s internal job resources. The university’s Jobs in English page provided listings specifically for English-speaking students, many of which I hadn’t seen elsewhere. I also found the Internships page useful, especially since many of the internships were designed to fit around a student’s schedule. While the one I took was unpaid, it gave me invaluable connections and helped me build a network here in Estonia.
The Ups and Downs
My journey had its fair share of challenges, but it was also full of valuable lessons. I encountered many rejections, and there were times when companies didn’t respond. Language barriers added an extra layer of difficulty, and the job market was competitive. However, I remained persistent and saw each rejection as an opportunity to grow. After more than a year, I finally secured my first job in Estonia, and although it took a bit longer to find one that truly suited me, the experience made the success all the sweeter. Looking back, I’m proud of how far I’ve come.
Photo by: Martti Volt
Final Thoughts
If you’re an international student searching for work in Estonia, my advice is to use every resource you can find. Use local job platforms, leverage university listings, and don’t underestimate the power of networking. The process can take time, and there will likely be some setbacks, but it will pay off in the end.
CV.ee platform: https://cv.ee/en
CVKeskus platform: https://www.cvkeskus.ee
University career platform: https://ut.ee/en/careers
University internship listings platform: https://newsletter.ut.ee/internship-and-job/
Cover photo by: Rasmus Jurkatam
Leave a Reply