25.07.2023
THE PROCEDURE FOR AID FOR DAMAGED HOMES DURING DISASTERS IS SIMPLIFIED
The procedure for granting social assistance of up to BGN 2,500 to people and families whose homes have been damaged in crisis situations is being simplified.
The announcement to open a procedure for granting assistance under the new rules, which expand the scope of those assisted, was approved by order of the Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Ivanka Shalapatova, the MLSP reported.
According to the changes in the application conditions, the funds will be granted regardless of the income of the applicants for their home at their current address. There is no requirement that it be the only one, but the household must live in it permanently. This will enable more families to be helped.
People and families who have suffered in crisis situations such as floods, earthquakes, fires or other disasters are entitled to support from the "Social Protection" fund. The funds are allocated specifically for the purchase of equipment or furnishings for the damaged dwelling or object in a residential building. It must be legally built and legally occupied by the people in the household.
In order to be entitled to assistance from the fund, they must have received one-time assistance in connection with the crisis situation that has arisen in accordance with the Regulations for the Implementation of the Law on Social Assistance from the "Social Assistance" Directorate, on whose territory the dwelling at the current address is located. In the presence of identical assistance from the municipal administration, they must also be assisted with it, as well as if they did not receive financing for equipment and furnishings in any other way.
Social assistance in crisis situations is granted after submission of an application-declaration according to a model by the injured people in the municipal administration at the current address and presentation of all necessary documents. The board of directors of the "Social Protection" fund makes a decision on the granting of social assistance. The budget of the Fund for Social Assistance in Crisis Situations is up to BGN 860,000.
19.07.2023
DO I HAVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE A LOAN FROM MY EMPLOYER
In Bulgaria, labor relations are regulated only as employment relationships formed by an employment contract. The employment contract is concluded in writing between a worker or an employee and an employer.
The law requires that the contract be concluded before starting work, i.e. before its actual performance begins. As we have already discussed in other texts, there is no obstacle between the two parties to enter into other agreements with each other, the most common example of this being in the form of a civil contract.
Does the law in our country allow the worker and the employer to enter into another type of bond relationship, without this being an obstacle to the employment relationship, are there any restrictions on the ways of settling such relationships?
The parties to the employment relationship may also enter into any other relations with each other that have nothing to do with employment. There are no restrictions in the law, for example, on the employer granting a monetary or other loan to a worker or employee, with the stipulation of returning the amount at certain periods of time or in a manner that both parties have agreed upon.
There is certainly no obstacle in the law for the employer to be at the same time the landlord of the worker or employee who lives in a dwelling owned by the employer. The same applies to other similar examples of such relationships. It is important to specify that these relations are subject to general civil legislation, and if a dispute arises from them, it will be subject to resolution according to the general procedure, and not according to the procedure for resolving labor disputes.
In other words, bond relationships (provision of a loan under certain conditions, provision of housing and payment of rent for its use, etc.) have nothing to do with employment, and in no way can it be a question of any conflict of interest or of any other kind violation of legislation.
However, practice knows many cases of misunderstanding and confusion of these relations. It is common for the employer to make deductions from the worker's or employee's wages in order to repay the amount of the loan or other type of obligation, without the worker's express consent. The law comprehensively specifies the types of deductions that can be made from the labor remuneration without the consent of the worker or employee.
Disciplinary dismissal for failure to fulfill the employee's obligations as a tenant in housing owned by the same employer will also be a violation of the law. The Labor Code states that violations of labor discipline are sanctioned through disciplinary liability, and the given example has nothing to do with that.
In summary, it can also be said that even if simultaneous and parallel bond relations have arisen between the parties to the employment contract, their development and control should not be mixed with the rights and obligations under the employment contract. If such a situation were to be subject to administrative or judicial review, the employer's actions would likely be found to be unlawful because they were undertaken on the basis of the employment relationship.
19.07.2023
FIGHTING BOREDNESS AT THE WORKPLACE
There are probably tasks in your job that you don't like to do. Every job has aspects that can be unpleasant, and we all have days when we are not motivated to do our best. However, what can we say about the cases in which a person constantly feels bored and can't wait for the working day to end?
The first step here is to find out what is causing you to feel this way.
"When people are bored, they fill their time with 'hollow activities' such as online shopping, overeating, endlessly scrolling through social media, etc.," says Annie Rosenkrans, director of people and culture at the HR services platform HiBob. "Boredom at work is no different, but these types of activities there can have a serious impact on your ability to stay in your position," she adds.
Boredom can be a sign of something you are neglecting. Consider if one of these five situations doesn't apply to you:
Your work is no longer challenging
While everyone sometimes gets bored with the workplace routine, it doesn't have to be the norm, much less describe your daily routine, says Rosenkrans. "It tells you that the job isn't challenging enough, that you're no longer engaged," she explains.
The good news is that finding a solution is up to you. Start by acknowledging your lack of challenges, then identify the root cause and address it with your boss. Rosenkrans says one potential solution is to get involved in new projects, and another is to think about whether it's time to take on a different role and talk to your boss about a promotion.
“You may have outgrown the company, or you may have dreamed of a complete career change but never had the courage to make the move. What you do and how you solve the problem is entirely in your hands. It's very empowering,” she says.
A lack of challenge may mean you've reached a "career maturity point," adds Yolanda Owens, chief career coach at The Muse.
“You grow and mature in your career just like you do in your personal life. Your preferences, tastes, priorities, and circumstances change, causing you to mature and lose interest in your environment, becoming bored with the activities it offers you," Owens adds.
When this happens, Owens suggests evaluating whether you can refocus your skills in another role or reevaluate your work environment to see if you can feel purposeful and productive in your work again.
You are ready for a new field of development
Boredom can also result from outgrowing not just a job, but an industry or field, says Mark Berry, senior human resources specialist at Insperity.
"Today's workers can expect to have multiple careers in their lifetime," he says. "With that comes the possibility that some bored employees may find that they've outgrown a certain industry or field that once suited their personality, goals and interests."
If you're constantly bored even when presented with challenging and engaging projects in your field, you may be ready for a new career development. Berry suggests talking openly with HR about the possibility of transferring to a new department, joining a rotational program, or seeking training to acquire new professional skills.
You have moved on to repetition of the same tasks, which does not require thought
Humans are lazy and energy-saving creatures. We often stop looking for challenges and turn off our brains when we know how to complete a task after repeated repetitions, says Stefan Falk, author of Intrinsic Motivation: Learn to Love Your Work and Succeed as Never Before.
"Instead, we shift to a behavior where we do the tasks out of habit," he says.
Doing tasks out of habit is good from an energy-saving point of view, but it leads to boredom because the tasks are no longer challenging. What's more, when we do tasks that we think are boring, our performance tends to suffer, making them even more boring, Falk explains.
"It's important for professionals to understand that over time, all tasks will become boring - even the ones we love and have motivated us in the past - if we don't challenge ourselves and use our energy to develop our skills," he adds.
You have strayed from your goal
Boredom in the workplace can also be a signal that you don't understand why you're doing what you're doing, says Nathan Pearson of human capital management firm Paycor.
"When employees feel bored at work, they should consider whether their managers are providing them with meaningful tasks and opportunities for development, and an environment that allows them to thrive," he says.
Pearson advises asking yourself if your job is still the best fit for you. "If the answer is yes, then the next step would be to talk to your line managers about taking on new tasks or getting clarification on the company's goals and vision to better understand why you're doing these things." Take the time to consider what this job offers you besides the salary. If nothing else, it might not be the right place for you,” he says.
You are involved in a negative workplace environment
Unfortunately, the usual environment in many organizations is negative, says Falk. Constantly complaining people and those always looking for a way to conflict with others are a common sight in many workplaces.
"Being surrounded by or engaging in negativity directs the mind to focus only on the bad aspects of work, which causes us to subconsciously view interesting tasks as less enjoyable and boring tasks as downright boring," he explains.
Falk says the solution is to choose wisely when it comes to who you spend time with at work so that your experience is enhanced.
A new Gallup survey finds that only 36% of employees say they are engaged in their work and workplace, meaning the majority of people are not. By taking the time to understand why you are bored, you can make the necessary changes to improve your situation. Since you spend about a third of your life at work, the effort will definitely be worth it.
18.07.2023
WHAT JOBS ARE YOUNG PEOPLE LOOKING FOR AND WHAT PREVENTS THEM FROM STAYING PERMANENTLY ON THE LABOR MARKET
Is youth unemployment a myth? What jobs are young people looking for and what prevents young people from vulnerable groups from staying permanently in the labor market?
The final event of the project "Employed for the Future" of the Concordia - Bulgaria Foundation will provide answers to some of the questions related to youth employment.
The project is aimed at young people aged 18-35, implemented from March 2022. 55 young people from vulnerable groups were consulted, including engagement in a paid internship program.
Trainings were conducted related to emotional intelligence and social skills, in which young people from risk groups have significant deficits, Grigor Stoyanov, head of the center for temporary accommodation of young people in "Concordia - Bulgaria", explained to BNR.
For young people at risk of falling into social isolation, finding a job turns out to be difficult, because they do not have the culture to organize and search, and very often they simply give up, Stoyanov told BNR. One of the most difficult things, according to him, turned out to be motivating the young people themselves to commit themselves for a long time.
"They have problems typical of the target group - financial obligations due to quick credits and loans, they often have liens, they are looking for the first time to be able to receive their pay as soon as possible - per day, per week, because they are in a situation where the money they need them now. It's hard for them to take advantage of standard job offers. They're looking for short-term employment, seasonal work. For them, the prospect of being employed long-term from the start is atypical and takes them out of the labor market a bit."
A lot of these at-risk youth tend to work a little in the gray sector, then not work for a while, then work again somewhere, which is an unsustainable pattern, he added.
"A manner that does not imply progress that would provide them with a stable life."
Against this background, there are many employers who state the need for unskilled labor, Grigor Stoyanov added, noting the response from the employers and their support and commitment in hiring these people.
"The labor market has changed a lot. While ten years ago qualification, experience, some kind of specialization was required, you had to search yourself, be the active party. Currently, employers tend to hire people who have no experience, qualification, who just want to to work and provide them with everything so that they acquire skills. Which is a radical change, a positive one, because it gives young people who would otherwise not have a stable job the opportunity to get it."
Stoyanov also drew attention to the "extremely unrealistic notion", "that they can always go to an EU country and there a very high-paying job awaits them and everything there is better", which makes them skeptical about their realization here.
18.07.2023
IN WHICH SECTORS ARE COMPANIES LOOKING FOR WORKERS?
Unemployment remains above 10 percent in only 4 regions in our country, according to the data of the Employment Agency for May. These are Vidin, where unemployment is the highest - 14.1 percent, Vratsa - 10.1 percent, Montana - 11.8 percent and Silistra - 10.3 percent.
Unemployment is expected to be the lowest in the city of Sofia - only 1.5 percent, in Stara Zagora, Plovdiv and Gabrovo it is 4%, and in Pernik - 3.9 percent. Unemployment remains high in Blagoevgrad - 9.5%, Kardzhali - 9.4%, Lovech - 9.3%, Razgrad - 9.5%, Smolyan - 9.9% and Shumen - 9.4%.
And in June, the Employment Agency again reported a drop in the number of registered unemployed at the labor offices. They are 142,510, which is 1,392 persons or 1.0% less than in May. With this number, the level of registered unemployment in June was 5.0%. Thus, compared to the previous month, the decrease was by 0.1 points, and compared to June 2022, a decrease of 0.1 points was also observed.
The number of newly registered unemployed in June increased - by 2,402 persons compared to May 2023. According to the reported data, they are 19,575 persons and are 2,485 more than their number in June 2022. Another 755 persons from the groups of employed jobseekers, students and pensioners also registered at the labor offices during the month, which saw an increase compared to the previous month by more than 12% of those seeking the services of the Employment Agency from these groups. The number of inactive persons on the labor market activated in June by the Roma and youth mediators, as well as by the labor mediators in the labor offices, is also increasing - for the month they are a total of 3,488.
The administrative statistics of the Employment Agency reports a slight decrease in the number of people who started work in June - in the month they were 14,176 compared to the reported 14,775 in May. 597 pensioners, students and employed people also found work with the support of the labor offices. The largest share of those who started working in the processing industry sector - 17.6%, followed by those in the hotel and restaurant industry - 14.7%, trade - 12.6%, public administration - 7.5%, construction 5.7%, human health care and social work - 5.0% and other. Nearly 1,300 unemployed started work during the month in EU countries with the mediation of the Employment Agency.
1,356 unemployed people from the risk groups found their employment through subsidized jobs - 349 under employment programs and measures and 1,007 - under schemes of the Human Resources Development Program. 326 unemployed and employed people are included in various trainings, and 281 people have completed the training started in previous months, acquiring a new profession or key competence.
During the month, 11,325 vacancies were declared in the labor offices in the primary market, compared to 13,116 in May 2023. In the real economy, the most vacancies were declared in the processing industry (25.5%), hotels and restaurants (15.2%) ), followed by trade (12.3%), government (9.1%), education (7.5%), administrative and auxiliary activities (6.0%) and construction (7.0%).
The most sought-after professions by businesses in June are: personnel employed in the field of personal services; staff caring for people; machine operators of stationary machinery and equipment; workers in the mining and processing industries, construction and transport; sellers; waste collection and related workers; skilled workers in the production of food, clothing, wood products and related; drivers of motor vehicles and mobile equipment; teachers; cleaners and helpers etc.
12.07.2023
BEFORE YOU LEAVE BECAUSE OF A BAD BOSS
In extreme situations - when you work with a boss who is harassing you in one way or another, you may want to confront your boss and/or report the situation to Human Resources. But our advice to most people leaving toxic bosses is to move gracefully to the exit door in the four ways discussed here.
Even if your boss annoys you, don't act impulsively. Take time to decide if you really want to leave. Your boss may make you feel like you're living in a nightmare, but there may be good reasons for not leaving. For example, you may be learning skills and gaining experience that will put you in a good position to get a promotion or a higher-level job elsewhere.
One reader responded, “I once quit a job after only 6 days - due to micromanagement.” While rushing for the exit door is understandable in such situations, this speed approach doesn't give you time to at least try to improve the situation. Give your decision some time, weigh the pros and cons, and make sure you're not giving up on something that might turn out to be better than it seems at first glance.
The danger in leaving hastily is that you allow someone else (your boss) to determine the trajectory of your career.
When you decide to leave, it's always tempting to lash out at the person you're running from. You might want to say, "I can't take your idiocy anymore, I'm leaving!".
You might even want to be more blunt, telling your boss that he has a toxic management style, that he's losing people, including you, because he's not up to his role. If your boss was really toxic, this might be the best course of action. Sometimes it is right to confront the offender directly and say what you have always wanted to say so that outdated patterns of behavior can be left in the past.
But under normal circumstances, this approach would be wrong and your career could suffer, as such an outburst would ensure that this person would never have a good word to say about you. If your next employer asks for a reference, you won't get particularly good reviews from your former boss. I once left a bad boss who regularly called everyone on his team idiots, but I never confronted him when I left. I waited until he was traveling and called him to say I was leaving. I thanked him for everything he taught me. We left on good terms, having lunch today as friends.
When you start looking for your next job, it's best not to share the news (except with close friends). If you get the word out that you're on the job market, the perception of you will change.
Instead, keep your job search a secret, don't share the fact with your boss or even your coworkers. In this way, you will continue to perceive yourself as part of the team and receive new tasks. News travels fast in a work environment, and if you tell someone you're looking for a job, that information is bound to reach your boss's ears. As a result, there may be consequences that you would like to avoid.
If you decide to leave your bad boss, it's best not to attack him during your job interview with a prospective employer. This can be an emotionally charged topic for you, and if you're not careful, you can go into too much negative detail and ruin your chances of landing the next job.
Just think about it - who would want to hire someone who constantly complains about their former boss, or had a bad relationship with them? Even if it was all your boss's fault, you don't want to end up in that scenario. The conclusion your interviewer will draw is that you don't get along well with people. The ability to collaborate is one of the most important qualities employers look for. Don't let your bad feelings about your boss get in the way of landing your dream job.
06.07.2023
SUCCESS TECHNIQUES: THE QUALITY THAT WILL MAKE FINDING A JOB EASIER
Those entering the job market today or seeking promotion within the company they work for must possess one crucial quality - adaptability.
In TopResume's new report, What Turns Employers On—and Off—About Job Candidates, adaptability tops the list of 21 traits that hiring managers look for in job candidates.
This quality has not always been in such demand, as before the pandemic, adaptability was not even on the list. Today, however, it is key to the success of any job seeker. The reason for this change is that adaptability demonstrates that you will be able to thrive in today's chaotic business environment.
How can you demonstrate this desirable quality in your job search? Amanda Augustine, TopResume's career expert, shares a few ways:
Show that you can find creative solutions
The first thing you need to do when you appear for a job interview is to show that you can find creative solutions to problems. Don't say, "I'm adaptable," but demonstrate it by "showing how you've implemented creative solutions," advises Augustine. Give specific examples of ways you have successfully dealt with challenges.
Present a story about how you faced a problem, such as a budget constraint or a software problem, and how you overcame it by applying a new approach.
Be specific. Show how and when you came to your conclusions, how you applied them, and what quantifiable results you got from your creative decision.
Be open to new ideas
Show that you are not fixed in your thinking, but open to new ideas.
"This flexibility can mean working really well in a team and recognizing that someone else's idea is better than yours, and then giving it up in favor of the bigger goals," Augustine explains.
Job seekers should prepare at least one story that shows how they went from believing they had the best idea to listening and discovering there was a better approach they were willing to take.
Show flexibility with customers
Assuming you're applying for a job that involves face-to-face contact with clients, take the interview as an opportunity to share instances where you've demonstrated flexibility in dealing with clients.
"Show that when you presented an idea to a client and they rejected it, you were able to maintain balance and offer an alternative solution," Augustine says.
"Demonstrate how you still met the client's needs and engaged them, even if your first idea wasn't successful," she adds.
This story will impress any manager looking for a candidate who can handle the whims and ever-changing expectations of customers.
Be resourceful in achieving goals
Regardless of the position you hold, you can talk about your ability to achieve goals even when the financial or human resources you have been given are reduced.
Augustine gives the following example: “Suppose you are a manager. Your team has shrunk after your company laid off some of your subordinates, but you're still expected to reach your goal. The plan you had is no longer working. Show what resourceful decisions you have made to achieve your primary goals, even when circumstances have changed.”
“This may mean showing that you have transferred resources from one project to another. It may mean that you have engaged people from different departments to help you. You want to show that you are very resourceful in your approach,” she adds.
Take on new responsibilities
Show your adaptability by giving examples of when you have taken on additional tasks to help with important tasks.
"Taking on different roles or trying out skills in an area outside of your job description will allow you to show adaptability," Augustine explains.
However, she adds, that doesn't mean letting people take advantage of you. “It gives you an opportunity to show your worth. This can lead to promotion as you take on new responsibilities,” Augustine said.
Stay up to date, learn new skills
When speaking with a hiring manager, be sure to mention that your skills and knowledge are up-to-date, especially in fast-moving fields like technology.
"Once a month, even if you're not looking for a job, check the types of jobs that would interest you and see what skills are in demand. If you find you have a gap, take a course to prepare you for the new market,” advises Augustine.
“You can start to fill that gap proactively. And you might even use this new knowledge to offer something to your current company. Demonstrate how you adapt to industry trends - this way you'll help both your current employer and yourself as you prepare for the next big position."
05.07.2023
6 CAUSES OF WORKPLACE BURNOUT AND HOW TO CORRECT THEM
According to a number of studies, 49% of rank-and-file employees and almost 60% of managers in different countries of the world have noticed signs of burnout. And it often leads to emotional exhaustion, significantly reduces work efficiency, and also increases the likelihood from health problems, frequent sick leave and voluntary dismissal. People with a high degree of neuroticism, perfectionists and introverts are in a special risk group.
Despite the fact that many people understand the problem, not everyone knows how to solve it. The efforts of not only the employees themselves, but also the company's managers are important here. But first of all, it is necessary to determine what exactly leads to burnout.
Too many tasks or constant overload is one of the main causes of burnout. This can lead to problems not only with mental, but also with physical health. Research has confirmed that excessive work impairs sleep and increases levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
What to do if you're the boss
Select tasks for employees based on their strengths. Help them separate the priority and important tasks from those that can be put off for later. This will allow employees not to be overwhelmed with small and non-urgent tasks.
Provide your subordinates with simple and clear channels of communication, for example through the HR department. Employees need a convenient way to give feedback in case they are overwhelmed with extra work or something goes wrong.
What to do if you are a subordinate
Try splitting your workload. Use the MoSCoW method, "fugitive list" planning, or any other technique that makes a proper distribution of forces possible. And don't forget to take breaks as needed - it will be much easier to maintain your focus and stay productive.
Research shows that autonomy at work improves our well-being and has a positive effect on mental well-being. Micromanagement or constant control over all our actions, on the contrary, kills motivation.
What to do if you're the boss
Try not to follow every step of your subordinates, but to become a kind of mentor or coach for them. Of course, it is better to immediately hire people with the necessary skills. But it's also up to you to create a comfortable work environment so employees know they can ask any questions and be honest about their needs.
Also, try letting subordinates make their own schedules.
What to do if you are a subordinate
Speak carefully and politely to your boss. Explain that you understand the purpose of your work and know what steps to take. Try not only in words, but also in deeds to convince the management that you are trustworthy.
For example, if you want to work remotely a few days a week, get your boss to set up a trial period on your terms. When your boss is convinced that you are as productive at home as you are at the office, he will start to trust you and give you the freedom you want.
We may need both financial and moral encouragement to feel important. When we don't feel appreciated, our performance drops significantly and we want to do much less for the company.
What to do if you're the boss
Encouragement must be sincere - we all experience hypocrisy and fakeness. Do not forget to praise your subordinates and notice not only the results achieved, but also the efforts made.
Do not set employees as examples to each other. This will only develop unnecessary rivalry and spoil the general mood of the team. It is better, on the contrary, to promote warm relations between employees and motivate them to praise more often.
What to do if you are a subordinate
If it's not common in your team to enjoy the success of others, start doing it yourself. Compliment a colleague on a project well done. If you're working on a task together, notice how the other person's quality work helped you complete yours. Gradually, you will begin to receive the same feedback and the atmosphere will change for the better.
Constant quarrels, skirmishes and misunderstandings do not help in solving problems. We will hardly go to work with pleasure, where unpleasant people and new conflicts await us.
Back in 1999, Gallup conducted a study that revealed that employees who have good relationships with colleagues cope much better with stress. More recent research does not give completely definitive results on the matter, but it can also be confidently argued that friendly relations between colleagues help at work.
What to do if you're the boss
Organize regular corporate events, encourage employees to go out to lunch or events outside of work hours. Allocate a room in the office where subordinates can relax and talk. The more cohesive the team, the better the work will continue.
What to do if you are a subordinate
Look at your colleagues. Perhaps among them there is a person with whom you can really make friends. Participate more often in the social life of the team - this will help you feel like a part of the team.
Bias, favoritism, mistreatment by co-workers or a boss, unfair pay distribution, or strange company rules can lead to burnout.
Different attitudes can be related to gender, nationality, financial status - in any case, a job where we constantly deal with such problems is not very inspiring. A study shows that employees who face injustice are more likely to take sick days and burn out.
What to do if you're the boss
Make sure that all your subordinates have equal rights and opportunities and stop any even the beginnings of inequality. Create a system that allows employees to speak up about injustices when they experience them, preferably through HR departments. Do not forget to discuss and find a way out of such situations in a timely manner.
What to do if you are a subordinate
If you regularly experience discrimination and humiliation in the workplace, please consult with management. If the negativity comes from management itself, contact the HR manager. When the problem is not solved for weeks, months or even years, and the authorities do nothing, it makes sense to look for a new job.
When a person enters a company whose values conflict with their own, they can quickly begin to experience stress and burnout.
What to do if you're the boss
Be responsible when hiring. Do not forget to listen not only to their experience and achievements, but also to say about yourself: what is your mission, what are you striving for, what is your corporate culture. This will help weed out unsuitable candidates from the start.
What to do if you are a subordinate
Often the company's values that we are told at the interview remain lip service. If this is seriously bothering you and harming your mental health, you should contact management or look for another job.
What is the conclusion?
If you want to feel comfortable, listen to yourself. Determine what causes workplace burnout for you and try to eliminate that factor or reduce its impact. Choose what you love to do and avoid what drains your energy. For example, skip a Zoom meeting if you're uncomfortable with a video call and just call a colleague instead.
If you run a company, be considerate of your employees. Yes, each of us is responsible for our own happiness and mental well-being. But remember that happy subordinates are effective subordinates. As soon as you organize comfortable conditions for them, you will notice how quickly your team will start moving the company forward.
29.06.2023
SUCCESS TECHNIQUES: TIPS FOR AN EFFECTIVE JOB SEARCH
The job search in any field is always intense and the competition becomes fiercer also because of the new challenges you have to face to get the job you want. If you are one of those who have already sent out hundreds of resumes without getting a positive response, don't worry, there are important tips for effective job hunting to get you hired quickly.
Personalize your resume
Regardless of whether you are looking for a job in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna or another city in the country, check that you have all the updated information in your resume, with the start and end dates of each of the positions you held, and that your experience is relevant to the offer for job you want to apply for. Remember that each CV should be different depending on the position you are applying for. You can organize the content according to what is most relevant to the job posting.
Resume design can help grab the attention of the person reviewing your CV. There are sites where you can find help in choosing a suitable resume template, in addition to this you can also find guides to a good cover letter.
Create contacts
Knowing more people can help you get a job, because if they know you and your skills, if they know of a position that fits your profile, they could recommend you or even write letters of recommendation for future work.
Use social networks
A social networking profile to find a job is also essential to advance your professional career, as many HR and recruiting companies use this way to find professionals that meet their needs.
Subscribe to job posting sites
There are hundreds of job portals that offer offers in every field of work. Subscribe to one of them, make sure you've selected the portal preferences well so that it shows you the job offers that best match what you're looking for, and don't forget to set notifications to see the most new offers and be the first to sign up.
Prepare for an interview
This is the last chance to convince the employer that you are the right person for the job. To be more successful in this task, research the company you want to work for, understand the mission, vision, and core business, and try to frame your answers according to the company's philosophy.
Research the frequently asked questions they usually ask in interviews and practice them in front of the mirror or in front of a friend or family and prepare questions to ask at the interview. Although everything about the position has been explained to you, it is important to ask at least one question to show interest in the company.
Send a thank you message
One thing most people don't do is follow up with the interviewer after the interview is over. For this reason, it is important to send a thank-you message after the interview and emphasize your interest in being part of the company's team, as this will help you to be better present in the employer's mind and stand out from other applicants.
29.06.2023
THE INSTITUTE FOR MARKET ECONOMICS PRESENTS THE STUDY "EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT: VOCATIONAL EDUCATION CORRESPONDENCE INDEX WITH THE PROFILE OF THE ECONOMY - 2023"
EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT: Index of the match between vocational education and the profile of the economy 2023
The full text of the study is available HERE
The main role and advantage of vocational education is to provide a direct link between learners and the labor market.
The correlation index measures the relationship between vocational education and the profile of the economy.
The index shows vocational training by sector and compares it with the distribution of the labor force in different economic activities. This makes it possible to see both the structural coincidences and the deviations in the education provided in relation to the needs of the labor market. The calculations also allow to trace the relationship between education and the labor market at the regional level.
Almost half of students will not apply what they studied for
The index of correspondence of vocational education with the profile of the economy for the country in 2023 is 53.6 points (out of a maximum of 100 points).
The study covers a graduating class of over 21,000 students who will study in the next five years in specialties from six selected sectors: agriculture, processing industry, construction, transport, hospitality and catering, and ICT. The results of the index show that probably 10 thousand of them will not do what they studied for.
Compared to last year's edition of the index, there was a decrease of 1.2 points. The reason for this lies mainly in the shrinking of admissions in majors related to the manufacturing industry, at the expense of expanded admissions in majors aimed at occupations in the field of information and communication technologies. Although this deepens the disparity, this transformation is not necessarily entirely negative.
Training continues in specialties that are not in demand on the labor market
The data show the high burden of specialties and professions that are practically not in demand, but fill places - on the one hand in already outdated and unnecessarily broad specialties (for example, in agricultural disciplines), and on the other, in those with relatively low training costs (for example, in the hotel and restaurant industry).
However, recent years have generally seen an expansion of vocational education enrollments in ICT fields at the expense of the previously highly prevalent training in the agriculture and hospitality sectors. There is also the emergence and increase in popularity of some new specialties responding to the transformation of the structure of the economy and the development of technology such as "Electric Vehicle Technicians" and "E-Commerce Organizers".
The regions are presented differently - in the capital, the compliance is the highest
Data at the district level provide an even clearer picture of the match between vocational education and the profile of the economy.
The capital has the highest score - 67.3 points, and the Lovech region - 36.4 points - the lowest. The first place of Sofia (the capital) is determined by the high share of both those studying for the PPK and those employed in the ICT sector, and together with that - the low share of those studying and employed in agriculture. The capital retains its first place from the previous edition of the index. The last place of the Lovech district is due to the fact that it is the district with the highest share of students in specialties aimed at the hotel and restaurant sector (almost double the average share in the country) with a relatively low share of those employed in this economic activity in the field.
Flexible education, dual training and professional guidance are needed
The negative effects of mismatches between what is taught and the profile of the economy can be reduced by more general education in a school environment at the expense of specific training in specialties for the full course of education. Thus, for example, highly specialized subjects from the initial courses of vocational education could be replaced to some extent by language and technological training, as well as by the acquisition of soft skills that increase the chances of employment.
An important aspect in vocational education and training is the continued expansion of the scope of dual training. Work-based learning while still in school will also increase the employability and attractiveness of vocational education because of stronger practical skills (relatively less need for training at the start of the working career at the first employer after secondary education) and the possibility to remain in work at the place of study. At the same time, the widespread application of dual education will naturally increase the correspondence between the specialties offered and the profile of the local economy. This approach should be complemented by the possibility of transfer between professions, as well as by mandatory professional orientation of students.
