9 Tips to Finding a Job in Israel

The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labor market is undeniable. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that unemployment rates are higher than before the lockdown measures were imposed in February in the US, accounting for 6.8 million jobless people in September.

Paradoxically, any shifts and irregularities in economics and politics may present opportunities for those who can see them. The economic recession and forced remote work opened new markets for some, whereas stagnant companies had to rethink their strategies and adopt new technologies.

If you find yourself permanently or temporarily laid off or just want to expand your professional horizons, you can try to look for a job overseas, for example, in Israel. Although Israel’s unemployment rate is 12%, many areas are receiving investments and being reorganized to survive the uncertainties of the covid-induced pandemic with minimum losses.

Whereas aviation, hospitality, and sports are obviously on hold right now, medicine and technology are rapidly developing in Israel. Israel 21 C reports,

Even with the job market slowing down, many job seekers are, nonetheless, looking out for catchy job offers and opportunities overseas. And this is the right tactic. Forbes includes exploring alternative possibilities as one of the strategies in a successful job search.

Currently, healthcare, tech support, telecommuting software, warehousing and logistics, shipping and delivery services, and food supply chain are among the most in-demand industries in Israel. Besides, teaching English as a second language is always an option for English speakers. This article will outline the most critical steps you should take when looking for a job in Israel.

Getting a Job in Israel

If you are Jewish and are considering migration to Israel, contact an Aliyah organization to learn more and get assistance. It would be much easier to get a job in Israel for expats. After you settle down, you can even request citizenship.

For all other candidates who have no migration intentions, there are several options on the Israel job market.

First, you can start looking for a job while you’re still in the US. Finding a job in Israel is absolutely possible from outside of the country, but it should be done in advance. Usually, it takes 3 to 4 months to find a job in Israel and move. You can come earlier and start attending an intensive language course, ulpan, to learn basic Hebrew.
Second, personal contact is essential in Israeli. That is why it makes a lot of sense to come to Israel on a tourist visa first and then find a job there and apply for a work permit.

Whichever option you choose, our tips below for preparing for the application process and finding a job will significantly increase your employment chances.

What You Need Before You Start Looking for Jobs in Israel for Foreigners

Job hunting not only takes time but also requires a measured approach. If you’re looking for a job in Israel, your application documentation is your avatar. Make sure it is immaculate and done on par.

1. Start working on your resume

Each country has its unique conventions and expectations for applications. Israel recognizes the traditional application package made of a cover letter and a resume, but with small adjustments. In Israel, a resume is referred to as a CV (Curriculum Vitae) and follows a standard Israeli model (korot chaim, קו”ח). An Israeli resume also has your date of aliyah (if you are an immigrant) and your army service date (if you served in the Israeli Defence Force). It is recommended to translate your CV into Hebrew. Anyway, make sure you mention your command of languages.

Here’s a list of rules applicable to an Israeli CV:

• Page Length. A traditional resume/CV length is one page. Even if you used to hold many jobs, there is no requirement for you to put all of them into the document. Cherry-pick the ones that match the job description the best.
• Sentence Length. Avoid using long sentences. If you have a lot to say about your job duties, shift your focus to your achievements in each job rather than responsibilities, which are frankly similar everywhere.
• Bullet points. These are a staple for a resume/CV. It enhances the readability and intelligibility of a document and helps you formulate your thoughts more succinctly.
• Personal Information. Unlike American and Canadian resume conventions, Israeli CVs include a candidate’s marital status and birth date. Also, remember to include your contact information and address. It would be great to use an Israeli address borrowed from one of your contacts in Israel. Israeli employers are more lenient to hire local people.
• Format. The traditional resume format is chronological, where you list your places of employment from the most recent to earlier ones, adding a list of your skills at the end. A functional resume is another format where you focus on skills and list your jobs briefly at the end. However, in case of a career change, a combination format can work for you, allowing you to start with your skills to show that you fit a job description and add your reverse-chronological work history. Remember to include only the jobs that align with the vacancy to which you’re applying.

2. Create Your Cover Letter

As for a cover letter, some candidates question its practicality. However, a cover letter is crucial in a job hunt because it lends you a space for casual conversation. In contrast to a formal resume, it has a different purpose. You can speak about your candidacy in a more conversational tone, explain any career gaps or unconventional career paths, or just demonstrate a motivation to join the particular company and your unique value as a potential employee.

Here’s a list of don'ts applicable for an effective cover letter.

• Don’t use an impersonal greeting. Forget about opening your cover letter with “To whom it may concern” or “Dear sirs.” Social media makes it quite easy to find the hiring manager’s name. If you can’t, you can address your letter to “Hiring Manager” or “Head of Department.”
• Don’t repeat your resume. You won’t gain brownie points if you simply copy-paste your CV. Instead, re-read the job description and use your cover letter to explain to the hiring manager how your experience and skills are relevant for this position and why you fit the role perfectly.
• Don’t use clichés. If you are new at composing applications, you may think that a ‘team player’ and a ‘hard worker’ who ‘thinks outside of the box’ are a succinct way to describe you as a candidate. However, these are buzz words that recruiters see in lots of other letters. They are vague and overused. If you feel like using generic phrases, think about saying it in different words and finding examples. Instead, use action verbs and power words. For example, if you believe you are a team player working as an executive assistant, remember an achievement and add it. For example, “I streamlined the file system and thus improved office performance by 15%.”
• Don’t make it all about you. When you’re writing a cover letter, keep the employer’s perspective in mind. Although a cover letter is a type of advertisement, it should be clear to the employer what they get if they hire you. Make sure you have a clear alignment of your experience and the job requirements.

3. Set a schedule

The best piece of advice at this point is to treat looking for a job as a job itself. You should set a schedule and commit yourself to send out a certain number of resumes daily. It depends on how many job postings you find valid for your requirements, but on average, many candidates find it effective to send out 10 to 20 resumes each day.

Tailoring each resume to a job description takes time. Adding relevant changes to your basic cover letter will take at least 15 to 30 minutes or more. However, using the GetCoverLetter builder, you can prepare customized documents from scratch much faster and expedite the job searching process.

How to Find a Job in Israel

It is possible to find employment in Israel both inside and outside of the country. Here’s what you can do:

Go online

Check out all the job websites you can find. Many international search engines have Israeli sections (Indeed, CareerJet). Most Israeli job boards are in Hebrew or Arabic, but there are a few English-language job boards, such as Israemploy, NefeshB’Nefesh, All Jobs, and Jobnet. Expats can find job postings on Overseas Jobs and Go Abroad.

Go offline

Remember to check out newspapers too. Many Israeli newspapers have job sections in the Friday editions. Some are only in Hebrew (Maariv, Yediot), some in English and Hebrew (The Jerusalem Post).

Use a Recruiting Agency

It’s easier to go via a recruitment agency if you are already in Israel. Recruitment agencies often keep many vacancies to themselves, and you will find out about them only when you get in touch with an agency.

Network

Networking is essential in Israel because human connections are valued and often preferred over impersonal online contacts. It is typical for an Israeli company to hire internally and through a network of personal contacts rather than to list a job opening online or offline. Ask your contacts in Israel about vacancies in your profession.

Update your Social Media

In some ways, social media is a continuation of traditional networking. You don’t need to know a person personally to contact them and ask about a job opening in their company. Make sure your LinkedIn and Facebook accounts are updated and polished. These social media sites exist specifically to build new contacts in the field and demonstrate your interest in new vacancies. On Facebook, you can join different groups that advertise jobs.

Get ready for an interview

If you are in Israel, the recommendations are common: wear smart casual, come prepared with a printed out resume, cover letter, and recommendations (if required). It’s also advisable to take a walk to an office to work off some of your nervous energy.

What should you do in case of an online interview?

If you’re still outside of Israel, regard the first online contact as an interview. Check out the most common apps for face-to-face communication (Skype, Zoom, Messenger) and make sure they function correctly. Keep a backup in the form of a notebook or another phone you can use in case something goes wrong on your first device. Get ready beforehand and review the most obvious questions the interviewer may ask you. Dress professionally, at least the top of your body, for an online interview.

Wrapping Up

We hope now you have fewer questions on how to get a job in Israel. Whether you are still in the US or have already moved to Israel, use the best ways to find a job and carve out time to make your application stellar. Many elements of our life are relevant to a potential job search – acquired experience and skills, additional education, etc. Although it takes time, you should put in the effort to better yourself to increase your chances of landing a great job. Meanwhile, crafting well-written resumes and cover letters a less time-consuming step towards success. That is why we cannot emphasize enough that the resume & cover letter stage is one of the most important in your job hunt. Start early and do it carefully.