Chapters
Where is Russia Situated When it Comes to English?
- First, they only take into account the adult and de facto population of people over 50, for whom English proficiency has never been a priority,
- In addition, command of English is much more developed in large cities (such as Saint Petersburg, Novgorod, or the capital of Moscow) than in the depths of Siberia! For an expatriate, the probability of working in these big cities is more substantial and it will be easier to find one's place if the language of Shakespeare is your mother tongue.
You Will Need More than Just English to Work in Russia
Although there are many stories of people who go to work in Russia without first taking Russian courses online and without speaking a word of Russian, we advise against going on an expat adventure without a specific opportunity there waiting for you. Indeed, it is difficult to look for a job without first mastering the Cyrillic alphabet, Russian grammar, and without mastery of the intermediate language level. We are sure you know that an employer will favor a candidate with better command of Russian over one who does not speak a word of the language. Suffice to say that the chances of finding a position in a Russian company (where Russian is the chosen language and English does not matter) are close to zero without a command of the language. But if it is precisely this thirst for adventure that can push you to take the plunge into Russian. Know that it will be easier to move to Russia and apply for posts that do not require very long interactions with natives (such as being a bartender for example). For office positions, it will be very difficult for you to get the job.
It's Easier to Get Hired With Certain Jobs
Knowing Russian words specific to your field can be very helpful.
Are you an expert in oenology, cooking, or baking? Relatively quickly, you will be able to supplement the Russian language to your skills. Russians are fond of American cooks and pastry chefs. The only prerogative will be to become familiar with the Russian transcription of the technical terms you need to know for the job. But, again, you still risk working with natives... While your expertise may gain you the job, the employees helping you in the kitchen are almost always locals. How can you communicate with them without basic Russian? Look up "russian course london" to find your a native speaker to teach you Russian in the capital.
American Companies in Russia
Despite the tensions that may exist politically between America and Russia, the land of Dostoyevsky remains a formidable eldorado for American companies. Indeed, many American corporations are present on the Russian territory. In total there are almost 3,000 American companies in Russia, and the U.S. is also the leader in terms of foreign companies in Special Economic Zones, with 11 projects. From MacDonalds, Ford, to Boeing there are plenty of companies for you to find the job you are dreaming of. Ford has been in Russia for 13 years. In April 2015, the joint Russian-American venture Ford Sollers launched the production of the Ford Transit. The American brand launched four new vehicles in Russia last year,including the Focus and Fiesta models sold here. According to Export.Gov:
The United States is committed to supporting the trade and investment relationship between the United States and Russia in non-sanctioned sectors of the economy. The foreign Commercial Service (FCS) at the U.S. Mission in Russia serves as an important resource for both U.S. and Russian Businesses seeking to develop and expand new relationships. FCS had helped Russian and American firms introduce innovative technologies and increase investment, strengthening ties between our two countries. The inhumane cap imposed by the Russian Federation on our staff has reduced our in-country presence, limiting our ability to provide the full suite of services. Despite these restrictions, we remain committed to supporting American businesses in the Russian Federation and will provide assistance and information as resources allow.
Working with an American company in Russia allows you to circumvent the imperative to speak Russian. Most of the exchanges will be in English, which is an important parameter for those who only have time to master the basics of Russian.
Being an Expatriate in Russia
Taking A Few Classes in Russian Before Leaving: A Great Idea
- Although it is quite possible to work in Russia without mastering the language of Tolstoy, the challenge is more complex if you have no basics at all.
- Unless you want to go on an adventure and explore Russian culture, we do not recommend leaving without thinking about your action plan and not having hiring opportunities before leaving. Always keep in mind that the recruiter will favor someone who has a better command of Russian.
- On the other hand, it is quite possible to get by in some jobs with basic knowledge of Russian. For an oenologist, the mastery of the terms specific to his or her field of activity remains essential to perform his or her job in the best conditions.
- For those who already have a contract with an American company in Russia, the transition will be smoother, because the working language will not necessarily be Russian but more likely English. It is possible to find American companies established in Russia. They are numerous!
- Finally, even if mastering the subtleties of the Russian language like a native is not your ultimate end goal, we still recommend taking some Russian introductory courses to at least get acquainted with the basics of pronunciation, phonetics, the accents, Russian expressions, or just to work on your listening comprehension. This learning desire will probably be lauded by the Russians.
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