Guide sections
Guide sections
The guide is divided into four topics, depending on the question you are facing. "Your own business" covers first steps in business, self-employment and sole proprietorship. "Career and negotiations" covers how to negotiate pay and conditions and how to prepare for public speaking. "Communities and events" covers choosing a professional community, conference or mentor. "Work and family" covers working parents' rights under the Russian Labour Code and returning to work after leave. Rules differ in other countries. Each topic links to answers, terms and reading lists.
Most career decisions are made in a hurry. A couple of minutes on the question "what do I actually want to get out of this?" can save months.
Selection criteria: the question arises for someone building a career or starting their own business; the answer can be checked against the law, materials from the Federal Tax Service of Russia or encyclopaedic sources; the advice does not require paid services, does not advertise courses, communities or companies, does not rely on other people's success stories and contains no stereotypes about women or men.
Your own business
How to start your own business: self-employment and sole proprietorship, tax rates, registration, record-keeping and first customers.
- Answers about your own business
How self-employment differs from sole proprietorship, what the tax rates are and whether a self-employed person can hire help.
- Business and tax terms
Professional income tax, "Moy nalog", sole proprietor, simplified tax system, employment contract.
- First steps in your own business
A reading list for those who are only just thinking about a business of their own.
Career and negotiations
How to prepare for negotiations about pay and working conditions, how to speak in public and how to grow in your profession.
- Answers about careers
Salary negotiations, nerves before a talk, and whether you need a mentor.
- Career and negotiation terms
Mentoring, networking, best alternative to a negotiated agreement, self-presentation.
- How to read success stories
Six questions to ask of any interview, and what survivorship bias is.
Communities and events
How to choose a professional community, conference or mentor and how to get real value from taking part.
- A step-by-step article on choosing
Your goal, the organiser, the programme, the cost, refund terms and checking the promises.
- Before a conference
A reading list on preparing for an event: from choosing one to following up on contacts afterwards.
- New publications
The guide's materials in date order.
Work and family
What rights the Russian Labour Code gives working parents and how to return to work calmly after leave.
- Answers about work and family
Maternity leave, parental leave and the ban on discrimination.
- Employee rights
Articles 3, 255 and 256 of the Labour Code, briefly and with explanations.
- Returning to work
A reading list for those going back to work after parental leave.
Related sections
- Practical articles
How to choose a professional community, conference or mentor, step by step. The article catalogue is here too.
- Questions and answers
Short answers about self-employment and sole proprietorship, careers and negotiations, and working parents' rights.
- Reading lists
Reading routes: first steps in your own business, before a conference, returning to work.
Sources
- Federal Law No. 422-FZ (professional income tax)
- Federal Tax Service of Russia: "Moy nalog", simplified tax system
- Labour Code of the Russian Federation (Arts. 3, 255, 256)
- UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Encyclopaedic sources
Information is current as of the date of preparation. Tax rules, rates and labour law change, so check the latest details in the primary sources: the website of the Federal Tax Service of Russia and the current wording of the laws.