Real stories through the camera lens: Migrant women’s job search journeys
The article is written by analyst Maria Khrapunenko from Institute of Baltic Studies and photos by CeMeWE project manager Andra Marta Babre from Riga Technical University.
What does it really take to find a job in a new country? Courage, persistence, and sometimes a little help from those who’ve walked the path before you.
As part of the INTERREG Central Baltic Mentoring for Immigrant Women (CeMeWE) project*, we set out to capture the voices and experiences of migrant women navigating the job market in Estonia, Latvia, and Finland.
The result? A series of inspiring microlearning videos, created by women, for women, to offer both practical guidance and emotional encouragement for others on a similar journey.
The characters of the videos are not actors. These are real women: refugees, newcomers, career-switchers, students, parents, who’ve lived the challenges and small victories of looking for work in a foreign country. Through interviews and open conversations, they share what helped them move forward: how they refined their CVs, overcame language and cultural barriers, built networks, and most importantly, stayed hopeful.
Whether you’re just beginning your job search or trying to take the next step in your host country, their stories offer both realism and motivation. And while each story is rooted in a local setting, the messages are universal and transferable to other contexts.
The videos cover topics such as:
- Starting the job search: Expectations, barriers, and breaking through
- Crafting effective CVs and cover letters
- The power of networking and peer mentoring
- Integration into the workplace and local labour market
- Learning from real success stories
- Understanding available support systems and services
As one participant puts it: “Be consistent and aim precisely at what is important for the specific job. Apply for fewer positions but do it with motivation and purpose.” Another reflects: “If you have an aim, you can achieve it. Believing in yourself makes others believe in you, too.”
A standout moment of the series is a panel discussion recorded in Tallinn in September 2024, where migrant women from across countries gathered for a full day of sharing. Their candid reflections highlight both the emotional and practical sides of job searching across cultures.
The videos are now available online and can be used in training, mentoring, workshops – or simply as a source of encouragement. If you or someone you know is looking for support in their job-seeking journey, these stories may be just what they need. Also, feel free to share them on social media – the more outreach, the better.
Link to the videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p79YVpImn1k&list=PLntLFlNUNj1MWLSi3hSAPjvK0KU91EyCD
The CeMeWE project goes beyond simply offering tools for job applications. It recognises that every woman’s path to employment is unique, shaped by not just skills, but also confidence, culture, caregiving responsibilities, and past trauma.
At the heart of it is one core belief: Support must be practical, personal, and empowering.
Not every woman is ready to jump into a job interview – but every woman deserves the chance to grow toward her goals in her own way.
Let’s keep learning from one another, sharing what works, and creating opportunities – together.
*CeMeWE (Central Baltic Mentoring for Migrant Women seeking Employment) unites partners from Finland (Laurea University of Applied Sciences), Estonia (Institute of Baltic Studies), Latvia (Zemgale Planning Region, Riga Technical University), and Sweden. It runs from 2022-2026, and is part of the INTERREG funding programme, co-funded by the European Union.
