Finding a job in Israel is often the biggest hurdle in the aliyah process and it’s compounded by the fact that the hiring process can be quite different from what you are used to. We’re here to clear up some of that confusion and provide clarity on what to expect. If you haven’t read our post on how to get a job in Israel, start there and then come back here to read about what happens when you apply for a position.
Step 1: Your CV lands in a pile
When you send your CV to a company, first a robot goes through the CVs to weed out totally irrelevant applications. Then, your CV lands in a pile of resumes from all the appropriate job seekers who have applied for the same position. An HR employee and the hiring manager on the team will skim through all the CVs to see who seems suitable. Notice that we said skim and not read, because they tend to glance at each one and make an almost-instant decision about whether to contact you. Your CV must have all the important information on top, be easy to read and be tailored to the job you are applying for. Make sure your skills and experience are easy to spot and relevant to the position.
Step 2: Phone interview
If your CV stood out, you will get a call or e-mail from an HR representative asking you to interview for the position. Companies will often start with a 15-20 minute phone interview before asking to meet you in person. Sometimes, you will get a call out of the blue and be expected to interview on the spot. If this is inconvenient, let them know very politely that this isn’t a good time to talk and schedule a time where you can be fully present.
To prepare for this call, research the company online, review the job description and be ready with an answer to the question, “What are your salary expectations?” It’s best to give an honest answer when asked, so that you don’t waste your time or theirs continuing in the process with a company which won’t satisfy your salary needs.
Because each company has a slightly different hiring process, this is the time to ask what the next steps are so you are prepared for whatever comes next.
Step 3: In-person interview
If the phone call went well, you will likely be invited to an in-person interview. This is the time to showcase what you bring to the table as well as to ask questions about the job expectations and get a feel for whether this job is the right fit for you. You’ll want to understand the hours required, the tasks you will be expected to complete and who you will be working with. For instance, if you’re being hired to interface with people in the US, will you be required to work American hours? This is an especially important question if you are interviewing for a position in sales, customer support, customer success or marketing.
You also want to pay attention to the general atmosphere of the company to determine whether this is a place where you will feel comfortable and enjoy working.
Olim are often unsure what to wear to an interview in Israel, since the more formal wear they might have worn in their country of origin seems out of place here. The best way to determine what to wear is to look online at the company website and their social media to see how their employees are dressed. You want to dress similarly, but look as if you made a bit of an effort to look put together.
Step 4: Assignment and/or presentation
Companies in Israel sometimes ask you to complete an assignment in a fairly short deadline and/or prepare a presentation for your potential team members. The purpose of this “homework” is to determine whether you have the skills necessary for the job. You can look at this as another way to see if this job is a good fit for you. If you can complete the task with relative ease and enjoy doing it, you’re on the right track. But if it’s totally out of your wheelhouse, boring or frustrating, you may not want this job.
If you are asked to give a presentation, prepare for it so you go in confident and knowledgeable. If the presentation is in English, keep in mind that you may be presenting to people who are not native English speakers. They likely know all the professional terminology in English, but might not know other complex words, so stick to vocabulary they are likely to understand.
Step 5: Checking your references
If the hiring team is seriously considering you, they will reach out to the references that you have mentioned on your CV. It’s important that you choose references who will say positive things about you, so make sure to list people you had a good relationship with. Ask them beforehand if they are OK with being listed as a reference. If they hem and haw, choose someone else!
If you can, let them know that you are in the advanced stages of a hiring process and they might be contacted in the near future. Tell them what job you are applying for and what skills are crucial for it. This gives them a chance to prepare and raises the likelihood that they will give a good impression of you.
Step 6: Interview with the CEO
Depending on the size of the company, you may be asked to interview with the CEO of the company. In a small startup this is more common than in a big company, since you are likely to have an ongoing relationship with the CEO if you take the job. Find out what you can about him or her beforehand, ask about the company and show that you are excited about what the company does and how you can be a part of that.
Step 7: Negotiations
If you’ve made it this far, the next step is negotiating the contract. You will be offered a salary as well as other perks, such as number of vacation days and how sick days are paid. You don’t have to accept the first offer; negotiations are acceptable and expected. There are some companies that won’t budge, but there are definitely cases where asking for more – either salary or perks – can be successful. It’s important to negotiate politely and to decide for yourself what the minimum is that you will accept. It’s OK to walk away if their best offer is not acceptable to you.
Once negotiations are over, you will get a contract to sign. Whether the contract is in English or Hebrew, it’s always a good idea to have a lawyer look over the contract and ensure that you aren’t signing anything you aren’t aware is written there. If you find something objectionable, ask for an explanation and possibly ask for it to be removed. Again, don’t sign just because you got this far. Only sign if you are satisfied with the contract and want the job.
Step 8: Start working
If you are currently employed, you will have to give notice at your previous place of employment and start working only after that. You can ask to start work a bit after that, if you feel that a short vacation will help you transition and start the new job with more energy. Depending on the company’s needs, they may be more or less flexible on start dates. In any case, they generally expect that you will start working pretty soon after the contract is signed.
The first days at a new job are always going to be challenging. Focus on learning the job, interacting with your colleagues and fitting into the company culture. Update your CV with information about your new job and maintain your professional network, since you may need it again sometime down the line. Most importantly, enjoy your new job!