My Job Search in Bulgaria: Automation QA
I began applying for jobs early this year, sending my first application on January 8. By September, my job search efforts had intensified significantly.
Criteria for Applying
I established several criteria for the companies I targeted:
- No gambling
- No gaming
- Companies with over 100 employees (Note: Startups are excluded from this criterion)
- No companies focused solely on the domestic market
For the positions I was applying for in Bulgaria, I aimed for companies that operated in international markets rather than those focused solely on the Bulgarian market.
There’s a saying in Bulgaria: “Щом е за нас,” which translates to “As long as it’s for us.” This reflects a tendency for companies to operate in less ethical ways if they focus only on the local market.
My Application Logic
My application strategy was to apply to companies where I believed I would fit in and grow as a developer.
There is little point in applying to five companies every day without purpose, because, at some point, you will run out of options and may overlook potential opportunities that align with your career goals.
For each company, I crafted a tailored CV and a custom motivation letter, ensuring that my applications stood out. You can check out my enhanced CV here.
Overview of Applications
I applied for a total of 157 job postings for QA positions, including variations like QA Manual, Automation, and Test Developer.
- Total Applications: 157
- Rejections: 46
- No Responses: 105
- Phone Interviews: 6
Out of the 46 responses I received, 100% were auto-generated rejections, which felt disheartening.
No Responses
Out of 105 applications, I received no meaningful feedback—only generic automated responses. This illustrates the current state of the IT job market in Bulgaria and the lack of professionalism among many companies.
First Real Responses - Phone Interviews
From the 157 applications, I received callbacks from 6 companies for phone interviews. Common questions asked included:
- Can you tell me about yourself?
- How did you find out about this job opening?
- Why do you want to be in QA?
Ghosting in Interviews: Out of the 6 calls, 2 companies ghosted me, which was quite disheartening.
The First Real Interview
Following the phone interviews, I progressed to 4 first interviews. The questions included a mix of previously mentioned topics along with company-specific inquiries.
Reactions: After the first interviews, 2 companies did not provide any follow-up, while I received a rejection email from another, which was disappointing but not unexpected.
Technical Interview
I progressed to a technical interview with one company, which assessed my knowledge of:
- Quality Assurance principles
- Linux Fundamentals
- Basic Python skills
After the technical interview, I felt that my preparation had paid off. I was able to demonstrate my understanding and application of QA methodologies effectively.
The Offer
Ultimately, I was pleased to receive an offer, which I accepted after careful consideration. The entire process illuminated many aspects of the job market that I hadn’t been fully aware of before.
Overview of the Bulgarian IT Job Market in Q4 2024
The State of the IT Job Market
It’s important to note that approximately 70% of job postings in Bulgaria are static; they often serve merely to market companies and collect CVs instead of genuinely filling positions. I have observed the same job postings across multiple sites since the beginning of the year.
The Two Main Job Boards
In Bulgaria, the two main job boards are DevBG and Jobsbg. Unfortunately, both platforms lack effective measures to combat job spamming, making it difficult for job seekers to find legitimate opportunities.
Oversaturation of the IT Sector
Currently, it seems that everyone is trying to enter the IT sector, regardless of their field—QA, Development, DevOps, etc. This influx has led to countless academies producing thousands of eager job seekers, many of whom struggle to secure jobs in such a highly competitive environment.
Poor HR Practices
The data shows that approximately 66.94% of applications received no responses. This serves as a significant indicator of the current job market dynamics and highlights how companies treat potential employees.
Conclusion
Navigating the job market can be challenging, particularly in a saturated field like IT.
I encourage everyone to remain proactive in their job search efforts, tailor your applications, and don’t hesitate to leverage your network.
Good luck! :D