I want to ask Russian HR professionals and hiring managers a very simple question: What exactly are you looking for when you write “fluent English required” in a vacancy? Because I am genuinely confused.

I am currently looking for a professional opportunity in Russia. I have an international background, a Master’s degree from a Russian university, years of experience across business development, sales, market analysis, project-related work and international communication, and I speak English fluently at a professional level.

I can work with international clients. I can communicate with C-level executives. I can write professionally. I can negotiate. I can research foreign markets. I can conduct meetings in English without a translator.

And yet, again and again, I receive the same message: “Thank you for your interest. Unfortunately, we decided to proceed with other candidates.”

Fine. But after receiving enough of these messages, you start asking yourself: Did anyone actually read my CV? Because sometimes it genuinely feels like the answer is no. And here is the part I find particularly strange: A company publishes a vacancy saying “English — fluent” or “English — required.” A candidate applies who actually speaks English fluently. And then the candidate is rejected without even being given the opportunity to have a conversation.

So what is the problem?

Is the vacancy asking for English because the company genuinely needs someone who can communicate internationally? Or is “fluent English” simply another checkbox that looks good in the job description? And yes, sometimes I even wonder whether the person screening the CV can actually evaluate English professionally.

How can a company seriously require fluent English while potentially filtering out candidates without ever properly assessing their English?

I am not saying every rejection is unfair. Of course not. Companies have requirements. Candidates can be unsuitable. Experience can differ. Another candidate can simply be a better fit.

That is completely normal.

What frustrates me is the lack of transparency. If I am rejected because of my experience — tell me. If my profile does not match the position — tell me. If my salary expectations are too high — tell me. If you prefer a Russian candidate for a specific business reason — tell me. But please do not hide behind the same automated rejection message every single time. I am not looking for sympathy. I am looking for an opportunity to prove myself. Russia has given me education, professional experience and a completely different perspective on business. I chose to stay and build my career here because I genuinely like this country.

So I am asking the HR community on SETKA:

What am I missing? What makes an international candidate with strong English, international exposure, professional experience and a Russian Master’s degree get rejected before even reaching an interview?

I would genuinely like to hear an honest answer from recruiters and hiring managers. Because right now, I am not frustrated by rejection itself.

I am frustrated by not knowing whether anyone actually evaluated me before rejecting me.

#ищуработу #поискработы #английскийязык #международныйбизнес #sales #businessdevelopment #санктпетербург #иностранцы