Jobs in Bulgaria

[kevinosborn]

I am looking for a job in Bulgaria. My wife and I are interested in living in BG and with me graduating this December from BYU, now seems like a good time to make this happen.

Most recently I found an opening with UNICEF in Sofia, but by the time I found the opening I was a little late submitting a resume.

My favorite site to search for jobs in BG so far is jobs.bg, does anyone know of a better place to look?

My preferences are to work for a global company/organization that pays American wages, with a job that has something to do with management.

If anyone has any thoughts about jobs in general in BG, please post them for everyone's benefit.

[crawli]

You might want to email Blindspot - he might be able to give you some info to get your started.

[Blindspot]

Are you sure you want to work here?  The working world in Bulgaria is quite a bit different that what you're used to.  It has it's rewards, not the least of which is the fact that you also get to live here.  But it is also very difficult in ways you wouldn't expect. 

Finding a job on a western pay scale is tricky.  I decided not to wait to find one and took a job making about 1/4 what I made in the states.  It is way above what most Bulgarians make, but it isn't for the faint of heart.  I recommend looking for companies that are expanding operations over here.  Check out the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria first.  http://www.amcham.bg/  Check the member list.  Most have job listings on their own sites.  Technology outsourcing is growing really fast so companies like HP and IBM are growing over here.  (Especially HP).

www.jobtiger.bg is another job search site.

Good luck.  If you succeed, the rewards are great. 

Blindspot

[Richard Davies]

Blindspot,

Ok, now you've got me curious... I'd like to hear more about your experiences working in Bulgaria. It's something that's crossed my mind from time to time (although I've never been too serious about it), and I'm sure it's something that many other RM's wonder about.

So you said it's "quite a bit different" and that it has rewards and challenges. Would you mind elaboraing on those topics? I'm sure there are others who would also like to hear more about your experiences.

Thanks!

[kevinosborn]

blindspot-

What do you do there? What city do you live in? What motivated you to work there? What is the monthly rent for a decent/nice apartment in Sofia?

(sorry for all the questions)

[Blindspot]

This is a long story, the details of which are way to much for a forum.

Like most missionaries, I wanted to come back.  I had been looking for a way to come back ever since 1995.  (yeah, I'm that old.)  I got engaged to a Bulgarian in 2005 and we discussed where we would live.  Most Bulgarians want to come to the US, but fortunately for me, my wife feels committed to helping the people here as much or more than I do.  Together we decided that I would move to Bulgaria.  To make a long story short, I took a leap of faith, left my job and moved here.  I didn't have a job here when I arrived.  I just trusted that God would provide.  It is not the most lucrative move I've ever made, but I don't regret it.

I hooked up with a headhunter company (www.bulwork.net) and they found me a position.  I work as a technical writer for an Israeli software company.  I'm not a programmer, but my background is in Network Administration.  Because Bulgaria has lots of well-trained people, I didn't feel I could compete in that arena, so I stood on my strength - English.  I now act as a style and grammar nanny for public-facing technical documents.  It's not the most exciting work I've ever done, but it pays fairly well on a Bulgarian scale.  (If anyone is curious exactly how much, you'll have to PM me.  I don't publish that info).

What I did was a scary prospect.  I had a little residual income when I came which made it a little easier, but that ran out after 6 months.  I don't know that I'd recommend it.  For me, I just had to resolve to do it no matter what and let the chips fall where they may.

For those of you looking to come over here and rent an apartment, the cost varies depending on the location.  A decent two bedroom apartment will run about 500 lev/month.  You may be able to find one as little as 300, but I wouldn't hold my breath. 

Good luck to all those who want to move here.  Most of the work available to foreigners is in Sofia, although I wouldn't be surprised if someone found a job in Plovdiv or even Varna.  As for my own future....Mika and I have some plans...but we'll just have see how it all turns out.  I'll be sure to post more info once we know.  (Is that cryptic enough?)

Blindspot.

[Blindspot]

My father sent me this job listing.  For those of you looking:

http://jobview.monster.com/getjob.asp?JobID=62706288&aid=57091065-2197&WT.mc_n=MKT000125

[bg-usa]

hello! You can try to look for a job in this site www.rabota.start.bg
 

[bg-usa]

In last 3-4 years many peoples(about 40 000) from West Europe came to live in Bulgaria.If you have a good education ,you can find well-paid job(1500-2000$).This salary is very good for Bulgaria.In Sofia,Varna,Bourgas  you can find to work for a big international company.  Hope to be useful.
   (Sorry, for my english! I'm bulgarian.)