Finding a job once you arrive in Italy as an Expat or immigrant is the crucial bedrock of creating a new life of security and happiness that is sustainable in the long term. There’s a multitude of ways that you can approach finding a job; and whether you’re looking for a temporary position or a long term permanent job then the avenues available to you should be able to cater to your situational needs. NOTE: I am assuming that you are legally allowed to work in Italy.
It can always be a little nerve racking to find a new job but this is especially the case when you’re doing so in a foreign country. However, if you stay proactive and keep a positive mental attitude you’ll stand yourself in good stead to succeed in no time at all!
The following are the best ways of finding an entry level job. These strategies will also work for experienced workers but not for those who are looking for executive level positions.
Use Your Social Media And Professional Circles.
One of the first things you should consider doing when you’re starting out to find a job is to ask around your friends, social media networks and professional contacts. If somebody can give you a recommendation you’re far more likely to get your foot in the door and have the opportunity to impress a potential employer in an interview.
You can post messages on your social media groups that lets people know that you’re looking for a job. A good idea is to create a very simple one page website onto which you can put your Resume. Once your website is up and running you can post links to it on your social media and if someone can help you then send your Resume along to them with a single click!
LinkedIn is another fantastic social media platform where you can find a huge range of jobs which are constantly being updated. You can find any type of job on LinkedIn while also growing your professional networks.
Recruitment Companies – Opening Doors For Expats In Italy.
Recruitment companies can be a reliable way to find regular work in Italy. Recruitment companies have a wide network of contacts in industry and while some specialise in a particular economic sector, such as hospitality for instance, others can place you in many different sectors of the market.
Something that you have to keep in mind when you approach a recruitment company is that unlike in the US, in Italy they only place candidates in temporary positions. These positions can last for a weekend, a week or several months.
However, if you’re looking for a more permanent position these recruitment companies can still be very useful to you. Once you have worked with a company in a temporary capacity they may ask you to stay on and continue working with them on a permanent basis. Many of these recruitment companies operate throughout the entire European Union and beyond; but they all have offices in the major Italian towns and cities.
Some of the top recruitment companies to look up include:
- Adecco.
- ALI S.P.A.
- Expertis Italia.
- Generazione Vincente.
- HRC International Group.
- NGA Human Resources Italy.
- New Horizons Global Partners.
You should always check the company’s accreditations before you sign up for their services. The larger recruitment companies are all very safe to work with however you may find small, independent companies which you’re not sure about. A quick internet search should let you know if they are trustworthy; and if you can get in touch with other people who have worked with the company before you can get an honest review of their services.
Once you’ve found some local recruitment companies in your town or city in Italy you just need to visit their offices to see what they have available and the type of companies they can place you with. When you’re working through a recruitment company you should be prepared to be flexible and even take on new jobs that you wouldn’t normally have considered! Remember, the chances are that you have a good skill set which you can put to good use in a wide range of economic sectors.
EURES – European Job Mobility Portal.
The EURES is a multilingual organisation of employment services that aim to help to facilitate the movement of workers within the European Union. They are a fantastic resource for job seekers and since it’s free to sign up for it’s something you should certainly consider if you’re looking for a job in Italy.
Their expertise and experience put them in a great position to provide you with the services you need to secure a job in Italy. The network helps you to overcome any cultural or language barriers that might be holding you back in your search for employment in Italy. EURES can also assist you with your Resume and sign you up for regular employment days where employers can meet job seekers.
EURES’ other services include:
- Help to match suitable job vacancies with Resumes on file.
- Provide you with information and personalized guidance on the services and support networks that are available to you in Italy.
- Tailor specific support for you and create a job seeking plan.
- Provide you with up to date information on taxes, health insurance and social security as well as pension plans and more.
- Post recruitment support is available, including help integrating into society and language training.
- Online Job Portals – Job Searching Platforms.
As technology has advanced more and more people are connecting with employers through online job portals. Job portals connect a vast pool of companies who are seeking new candidates with the right people who can fill those vacancies. These job portals are free to use and can be accessed anywhere that you have an internet connection!
You can easily search a job portal to look for jobs in different categories, pay grades and skill sets. This can quickly help you to narrow down your search and start to identify trends in the market which you can use to improve your chances of success.
Best Online Job Portals In Italy.
- Jobrapido.com. As one of Italy’s top job portals, their friendly staff and personalized service makes finding a job easy. Using the site’s search bar is highly intuitive with jobs listed in all sectors of the economy. With up to half a million jobs on the site at any one time, the site is the perfect way to start your job search in Italy.
- TheLocal.it. This job portal specializes in English language jobs in Italy, making it an invaluable tool for Expats whose language skills are not at a fluent level in Italian. You can find great jobs in software engineering, teaching and education, customer service, sales and much more besides.
- Indeed.com. With more than 250 million site visitors per month Indeed has grown to be one of the world’s premier job portals that caters for all sectors of the economy. Whether you are looking for an entry level position or a more highly qualified role, Indeed should always be on your list of portals to make use of during your job search in Italy.
- Glassdoor.com. Each month Glassdoor sees almost 9 million jobs listed and so when you’re looking for the ideal job in Italy you should have this job search platform in your arsenal. One of the most popular features on the site is the feedback section where employees, both former and current, can leave ratings and comments about what it was like to work for a company. This means you can get an insider’s point of view as to what it might be like to work for a particular company – and needless to say, if the company is getting bad reviews you may want to look elsewhere!
- Monster.com. As one of Italy’s leading job portals the site has millions of jobs on offer and with more than 25 CVs being uploaded every minute you can be sure it is popular. Functionally, the site is pretty basic but it’s easy to navigate and operates in a wide range of sectors in the economy.
- XpatJobs.com. Specifically tailored to help Expats find work in their new home, this is a great platform to use while you are looking for a job in Italy as well as in 140 other countries around the world. XpatJobs specializes in the Finance, IT, Healthcare, Aerospace and Human Resources industries but you can find plenty of other types of jobs on the site. XpatJobs also work directly with recruitment companies to link you up with their clients.
- Cliccalavoro.it. With more than 3 million users, this site is one of Italy’s most trusted job portals. Each day more than a thousand new jobs come online and since you can search by region, province or contract type it’s very handy in a job search. The platform is free to use and can quickly help you to find the right work for your personal situation.
The Best Ways To Find A Job In Italy.
Every person’s job seeking journey will look different and depending on your skillset, the types of jobs you are looking for, whether you want a full or part time role and where you want to work in Italy; you’ll have to take a slightly different approach.
A great place to start your search is on the various online job portals which allow you to start narrowing down your options from the comfort of your own home – or anywhere that you have an internet connection!
It’s always a good idea to ask around your personal contacts and professional networks to see if there are jobs available that would suit your skills and requirements; but don’t forget to ask on Expat forums and groups on social media because they might have some excellent tips as well.
Finding a job can be a daunting prospect, particularly in a foreign country, however, it’s also an exciting adventure that will help to define your future in your new home.
