Remember that one interview is not necessarily your last or only chance. In terms of finding a job, I think that Central Europe is simultaneously an easier and tougher place. It's easier because there is a huge demand for young and educated workers, but tougher because employers don't have much experience with capitalism yet and act like they are in a jungle. Anna is a lecturer at her Alma Mater. By keeping good contact with her professors, she was able to obtain a job offer before she came back to Central Europe.
International experience is useful, but only to a certain extent.
In a small country, a lot depends on who you know, who you studied with, who recommends you. The job search in academia is not an open competition. Personal relationships matter a lot. I imagine this is true in other fields too, especially when it's very competitive. Many non-corporate jobs are not advertised in the classifieds or with headhunters.