JOB SEARCH GUIDE FOR SYRIAN REFUGEE WOMEN IN TURKEY

“Get me on Board” is a one-year project funded by the Swedish Institute
within the Creative Force Programme.

The project is a collaboration between Internationella Kvinnoföreningen (International Women’s Organization in
Malmo, Sweden) and International Refugee Rights Association in Istanbul, Turkey.

The project has two aims: 1) to show the Syrian refugee women’s strength, challenges and needs during their job
search process in Turkey through a short documentary and 2) to create this job search guide in order to increase their knowledge about job searching, work culture and work rights in Turkey.

The job search guide has been created with the information collected in interviews conducted with 25 Syrian
refugee women and literature reviews. All participants are 20-55 years old and treated anonymously with fictitious
names. They are reached through the IRRA´s network and its partner organizations. They are either currently
working or have had work experiences. During the interviews, they shared their experiences, challenges, and recommendations with the intent of creating awareness and motivation for other Syrian women during their job search in Turkey. The guide basically includes:

• Necessary information for the Syrian refugee women with and without a diploma, who would like to find employment in Turkey.
• Their life stories, experiences, and challenges during their job search.
• Information and tips about the Turkish labor market including CV preparation, vocational courses, and rights as
an employee in Turkey.

The participants are currently trying to support themselves and their families despite all the difficulties such
as discrimination and unstable labor conditions. The real-life stories in this guide will hopefully raise awareness about their challenges and show their
strengths and determination in Turkey.