CV Tips for Foreigners: How to Stand Out to Estonian Recruiters
- Helery Homutov
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read
If you're a foreigner looking for a job in Estonia, or dreaming of working here one day - this article is for you. You'll discover what Estonian recruiters really want to see in a CV and which mistakes can cost you an interview.
👋 To those I haven't met - Hi, I'm Helery! My mission is to help foreign job seekers stand out from the crowd, and get hired in a new country. Having worked in four different countries across Europe and Asia, I know how hard it is to break into a new job market — but also how to succeed.
That’s why I created Farerahelery.com, where I share guidance and strategies for job seekers who want to succeed internationally.
Before applying for your next job in Estonia, check out this guide. It's based on my interviews with four Estonian recruiters and HR professionals, and will give you insider tips to stand out in Estonia's competitive job market in 2025.
Why Estonian Companies Need Foreign Specialists
Sherli Taim-Kaurit is the Head of HR at Estanc - the largest industrial process equipment engineering and manufacturing company in the Nordics and the Baltics.
She says they often turn to the foreign workforce because the Estonian education system doesn't fully equip people for certain specialist roles.
“Foreign graduates can bring valuable new expertise, technical knowledge and work experience from large international companies - something that's harder to gain in Estonia, where opportunities to work in global organizations are limited.”
In today’s job market, she sees a shortage of engineers who can combine knowledge across different technologies and fields to create new, innovative solutions.
Should You Include Your Nationality in CV?
Sherli appreciates when candidates mention their nationality in CV.
"It gives us the chance to think about the cultural mix we already have on the team, and how we can make sure this person would feel safe and supported with their own cultural values."
She recalls a company event where new employees presented their home countries. Things suddenly took an unexpected turn when two foreign colleagues shared completely different maps as they had conflicting versions of history regarding their countries’ borders. The discussion quickly escalated, revealing deep political tensions between their nations.
"We couldn't have foreseen that happening, but eventually everything was resolved calmly."
For her, it is important that the team is aware and able to create an environment that supports what is important for different cultures.
Authenticity Speaks Louder Than Buzzwords
Everyone writes that they’re responsible and hardworking, but what truly stands out is authenticity. When it’s clear the candidate has thought things through.
Sherli admits she dislikes CVs full of fluff and buzzwords.
What grabs her attention is evidence of impact through project leadership. For example, leading a software implementation, driving change within a team or being actively involved in different projects alongside the main job duties.
Last but not least, she warns against submitting CVs in the wrong language or in mixed fonts.
👉 “If the job ad is in English, send your CV in English — not in Russian, or in a mix of different languages.”
What Happens If You Lie on Your CV?
Madis Laanesoo, Recruitment Consultant at Tripod - Estonia’s leading recruitment and consulting company, says there is a lot of dishonesty and exaggeration in job seekers' CVs and LinkedIn profiles.
“There’s nothing wrong with using AI to help write your CV — but can you actually back up what it says about you?"
He stresses the importance of being honest about previous work and responsibilities, because lying doesn't just hurt you - it creates a lack of trust toward other foreign candidates as well.
⛔️ Don't be a job seeker who is:
Exaggerating roles — for example, claiming you were a team lead when in reality you only managed three people in a sub-unit.
Listing all tools or technologies you "kind of know". If it turns out you’ve only once tried them, it wastes everyone’s time. Recruiters may get interested, only to discover you don’t have the skills they need.
Be Transparent About Relocation & Residence Permit
For many companies, the time and cost of bringing in a foreign employee are critical in the hiring decision. Madis recommends to be clear in your CV about residence permit status and willingness to relocate.
"If you're applying from another country, what is your plan? Are you ready to relocate to Estonia, and on what terms? Do you already have a residence permit, is it temporary or are you in the process of getting one?"
👉 Being transparent about your plans and residence permit status makes the hiring process easier for everyone.
Sounds Basic - But Read the Job Ad Before Applying
Madis also points out that many job seekers apply without making even the bare minimum effort to read the job ad and then feel frustrated when they're rejected.
Some even expect detailed feedback, although the mismatch was clear from the beginning.
"If a role doesn’t offer relocation, or clearly states that Estonian language is required, there's no point in getting upset when you don't meet the criteria. You can't change a company's culture with angry emails or LinkedIn messages," explains Madis.
What Makes a CV Stand Out in Estonia?
Silvia Veermäe, HR Business Partner at Omniva - the biggest logistics, postal, and parcel company in the Baltics, says that a strong CV on the Estonian job market is:
Short
Precise
Tailored to the job offer
"If your CV is longer than 2-3 pages, it demands more attention than most recruiters can realistically give, especially when there are hundreds of applications."
A clear, modern design can help your CV stand out, but Silvia warns against overdoing it. She has seen CVs designed like PowerPoint slides or timelines, which are difficult to process when on average recruiters spend just 5-9 seconds to scan your application.
Although you might think that the best way to impress recruiters is by listing every job you've ever had, the opposite is true. Focus only on what's relevant to the role and don’t try to hide difficult career moments.
"Job seekers believe it's better to hide being fired or not passing probation period. In reality, it's better not to cover it up. Add a short note on your CV that the cooperation ended, or explain it honestly in the interview,” suggests Silvia.
Should You Add a Photo to Your CV in Estonia?
"There are mixed opinions about adding a photo to a CV", notes Silvia "but I lean toward including one."
However, not every picture is helpful - a poor angle or poor lighting can do more harm than good. If you have a good, professional photo, use it. If not, and the application deadline is tomorrow, it’s better to send your CV without one, recommends Silvia.
When Your University or Employer Is Unknown Abroad
When applying for jobs abroad, you might face the challenge that the university you studied at or the companies you worked for are completely unknown outside.
What opened doors back home, doesn't say much to local recruiters.
Liisi Niisuke, a Senior Recruitment and HR Consultant at Brandem - a recruitment and employer branding agency in Tallinn, explains how to handle this challenge.
She says it matters less whether you graduated from a TOP university back home, and more about how your experience aligns with the expectations in the country you're applying for.
“I’ve interviewed non-EU candidates with BA and MA degrees who’ve held high positions in banking back home, but their experience wasn’t on the same level as what’s expected for similar roles in Estonia.”
Even within Europe, expectations differ. For example, an employer in Norway who seeks a junior specialist might require three years of experience, while an Estonian candidate who is applying and has three years experience, would already consider themselves a senior specialist,” explains Liisi.
👉 At the end of the day, what matters more than "BIG NAMES", are your achievements.
Work Experience: Show Impact, Not Just Tasks
Recruiters don't want to see a long list of tasks in your work experience - they want to understand the difference you made.
But job seekers often struggle here.
Some say they don’t remember, others claim they never had access to numbers, or simply feel their job didn’t create measurable results.
Liisi stresses that candidates should still be able to show how they've contributed to a company.
It doesn’t always have to be about revenue growth or big sales numbers. If you don’t have exact figures, focus on processes or outcomes:
Did you grow the team by 5 people?
Did you Introduce improvements that made work smoother?
Did you help your team through a tough year?
👉 The bottom line: Think what you changed for the better during your time there.
She emphasizes that today’s job market in Estonia is an employer’s market, with dozens of similar CVs to compare. Often the final decision comes down to whether you’re a good fit for the team, not just what’s on paper.
How to Describe Your Language Skills
When it comes to language skills, Liisi points out that the official levels (A1–C2) don’t give recruiters the full picture.
“It’s often more useful if candidates add a small note on their CV and describe how you actually use the language — for example, "mother tongue", "I use it daily" or "I use it once a month.
Unless you have an official certificate, the letter and number combination doesn’t give me anything, since people usually just guess their level and it often doesn't reflect reality," comments Liisi.
How to Contact Estonian Recruiters on LinkedIn?
To stand out from the rest, job seekers are encouraged to be proactive and reach out to recruiters on LinkedIn to express interest in a role. As known, Estonians are not exactly small talk people.
So, what’s the right way to break the ice with Estonian recruiters?
All four (Sherli, Madis, Silvia and Liisi) confirm that sending generic LinkedIn messages like "Hi, how are you? Do you have job for me?" doesn't work.
Recruiters get dozens of messages like that everyday, and there’s no time to reply to all of them. But if someone has a clear, relevant question or message that shows effort, then I’ll happily reply," says Silvia.
Entry-Level Opportunities Exist — If You Show Motivation
What are the chances for foreign job seekers with no prior education or work experience in the field, but a strong will to learn and develop? Sherli believes motivation can outweigh experience in certain positions.
"I'm honest - you can't get an engineer job from zero, but for roles in administration or support, Estanc is willing to give motivated people a chance if they’re ready to grow.”
She recalls hiring a warehouse worker who had been unemployed for a long time and had no prior experience. “He told us he didn’t mind heavy boxes, so we gave him the opportunity. Two years later, he’s still with us.
If your motivation is strong, anything is possible,” highlights Sherli.
Final Thoughts
Finding a job in Estonia as a foreigner isn’t easy but it is possible. Recruiters aren’t looking for perfection — they’re looking for honesty, clarity, and proof that you can add value.
Tailor your CV, show your real achievements, and be transparent about your situation. Combine that with motivation and persistence, and you’ll already be ahead of most applicants.
And if you need personalized job search help with any of this, Farera Helery is just a call away!