Using your phone to find work – and where to get free job support across Czechia

Foreign residents in South Moravia are learning to turn their smartphones into job-hunting tools, thanks to a new free course run by the South Moravian Foreigners’ Center in partnership with the Jiří Mahen Library in Brno.

The course, “Using Your Mobile for Better Work,” teaches participants how to use their phones for practical job-search tasks, from managing email and handling downloaded documents to applying for work online.

“Sometimes we feel the need for a change but don’t know where to start,” says Liliia Pinchuk, an intercultural employment specialist at the Foreigners’ Center. “We help people figure out what they want to do and how to reach potential employers.”

The program builds on the library’s long-running digital training for seniors, and organizers say the challenges faced by seniors and immigrants are surprisingly similar.

Both groups often lack basic device skills or an understanding of how digital systems connect, from setting up email to navigating job portals.

“The needs of seniors and foreigners overlap more than you’d think,” says Roman Pospíšil of the Jiří Mahen Library. “Many are starting from the same point when it comes to digital literacy.”

Two summer sessions of the course drew positive feedback. One participant commented anonymously: “The course was very good; I plan to take more computer courses. The instructors and organization are top-notch.”

The next sessions take place on Nov. 11 and 13 at the IN-Center in Brno, and participation is free.

Looking for free support with your CV, job search, or interview prep? These organizations across the Czech Republic offer guidance in English and other languages.