My Name is Toby Appel and I work in the Employment Department at NefeshBNefesh as a Career Developer. Today I am going to discuss the fields of Computer Programming and IT in Israel. In this presentation I will give background about the field and its demand in Israel as well as information and resources towards finding a job in the field in Israel.
Israel is often referred to as the second Silicon Valley this is because a number of International companies including: Google, Intel, IBM and many others, have branches in Israel. Hi-tech products and services account for more than a quarter of all Israeli exports and, after the US and Canada, Israel has more hi-tech companies trading on the NASDAQ than any other country . Opportunities exist in the field in technical areas, such as software programming & development and QA. Companies also look for people to work in positions which require less of a technical background like sales and marketing, Customer Service, and administrative positions within the company. People with a background in law can find positions in patent writing, or dealing with intellectual property and technology law. For these types of positions previous experience in the Hi-Tech field will be an asset in your job search as professionals with hi-tech experience are in demand. In general, experience in hi-tech is considered prestigious and will give you an advantage for finding a job in any field. You can expect that Hi-Tech salaries are higher than in many other sectors, and tend to include good benefits.
If you are looking to work in programming or a more technical based field. It is important to know what is in demand. The programming languages that are currently in demand are JAVA, .NET, C#, & C++ .Most companies seek employees who have the technical background as well as work experience with specific languages. The same is true for QA testing job descriptions will often seek people with a few years experience testing software. Experience in Loadrunner, Automated GUI testing, and Hardware testing are all marketable in skill in the QA field in Israel. As is the case with technology, it is crucial to remain up-to-date with the new systems and languages as they develop.
In planning your Aliyah, it is important to consider where the jobs in Israel are located in your field. Hi-tech parks are located in most of Israel’s major cities. The parks serve as centers for Hi-Tech in a given city or area. Many Hi-Tech opportunities can be also be found in Israel’s central area.
As you plan your Aliyah is it important to gain a thorough understanding of your field in Israel and the internet is a valuable resource. For example, if you are want to know the type of demand the criteria for finding a job as a C# programmer looking at job posting on websites can give you a sense of the necessary background needed to break enter the field. Of course, these resources can assist you with your job search. Professional email listserves post open position. Linkedin is a great resource for job-hunters in Hi-tech. Linkedin allows you to post your own professional information and details, as well as to join groups that are relevant to your field in Israel. There are job search websites in English, such as the Jobnet and Computer jobs in Israel as well as many sites that post in Hebrew. The NefeshB’Nefesh Employment department posts Jobs on the Yahoo listserv, our Linkedin group, and the NBN employment Facebook page. More information regarding online job search resources is available in the employment section of the NefeshBNefesh website.
Another critical aspect of understanding your professional field in Israel is being aware of the salary ranges. There are a number of online salary surveys that can help you gain a sense of what you can expect to earn in your professional field. You will notice that salaries increase according to specialty and years of experience. When negotiating the terms of your first job in Israel, it is a good idea to have a sense of the range within your field, additionally you can negotiate regard to the benefits that are included in your employment package.
No matter where you live or what you do, networking is critical in securing employment. The nefeshbnefesh employment department has developed an extensive network of professionals who work in a variety of fields in Israel, including Computers and IT. These professionals, many of them olim themselves, have volunteered their time to help Olim understand the field in Israel and serve as a starting point through which to Network. It is also important to make online professional contacts through sites like Linkedin and Facebook. Your friends and family in Israel should know that you are seeking employment, undoubtedly they have a neighbor or a friend who is working in your field in Israel. Finally, nothing compares to networking in person and so attending professional networking events and conferences is a great way to make connections in your field.
After completing your market research you may find that your background does not match the demand of the current market and you may wish to consider retraining in the field of technical writing. Many English speaking Olim who worked as programmers prior to making Aliyah, moved into the technical communications field in Israel. Technical writing will allow you to leverage both your technical background and English skills. It is likely that you will need to take a course to retrain and enter the field in Israel and courses are offered throughout Israel . In general, Technical writing is a stable and well-paying career.
While the actual work in the field of computers may not involved Hebrew, Hebrew is still one of the major building blocks of your career in Israel. For example, if you know Hebrew you, you will be able to access to Job websites and posting in Hebrew. Meetings with colleagues and clients in Israel will likely take place in Hebrew. A moderate level of Hebrew will improve your understanding of your work environment and assist you in integrating into the Israeli work culture. You can begin learning Hebrew by taking a course before you make aliyah, and you should invest your time in taking an Ulpan once you have made Aliyah.
You may be asking yourself should I study for a career in computers in Israel or should I complete a degree in the field before I make Aliyah. There are a number of factors to consider when addressing this question. Olim who decide to study in Israel receive benefits for a free academic education, up to a certain age. Many potential employers will be more familiar with an Israeli institution than one abroad. Additionally, you can begin to build your professional network while in an Israeli University and you will likely have access to student jobs at companies. These jobs can provide you with relevant work experience. You will also learn your field in Hebrew which will serve as an advantage as you apply for jobs and adjust to the work environment. If you choose to study abroad, make sure that you study programming languages that are in demand. Most employers are looking to fill their open positions with people who have experience in the field, therefore breaking into the field will require that you make Aliyah with at least one year of work experience.
Finally, as you are in the process of planning and developing your career in Israel, the NefeshBNefesh employment department is available to you as a resource.