The Czech Republic's entrance into the EU has allowed international companies to make a mark on the local economy. Electrical engineering, automotive, and tourism sectors have all continued to develop. Though rural areas are slow to develop, the country's central location, able workforce, and beautiful capitol city of Prague are all attractive.

Expats in the Job Market

Expertise in Czech language will open doors in the job market. The other most common language in business is English. If you do not have Czech language skills, the tourism industry is one of the easiest to break into and there is room for other languages as well.

To be hired by a Czech company, the employer must demonstrate that the position could not be filled by a Czech citizen. This is a difficult process and is usually only undertaken by large companies or if there is a need for a very specialized skill. Understandably, this makes it difficult for expatriates. It is much easier for foreigners to get a job at an international company.

Resume / CV

Resume versus CV

Resume- brief overview of work and educational experience. Prominent in the US when applying for employment. Typically one page.

CV (curriculum vitae)- more in depth look at work and educational experience. Prominent in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Typically two or more pages.

Layout

A CV is usually needed when applying for a professional position. The CV should contain:

Contact Information: Relevant personal contact information at the top of the page including:
name
phone number
fax number
address
email address

Education: This section should come before work experience if you are in school or have been out of school for one to three years, depending on your level of work experience and how relevant your education is to your career.

Certificates & Diplomas: Courses, seminars, congresses or conferences that are relevant in relation to the position. Note if you received any special honours.

Languages: This is extremely relevant to an international job. List which languages you speak and your level: advanced, intermediate or beginner. Point out if you can translate, speak, or write in each language and list any associated degrees. If you are submitting your resume in Czech, be sure to have a native speaker read it first. Punctuation and grammar are extremely important.

Computer Skills: Programs, applications, word processing, database, Internet, etc.

Interests: You may include personal interests such as hobbies, sports, activities.

Tips

• Style should be straightforward. Use standard paper and a simple font, such as Times New Roman (12 font) or Arial (10) font
• Print original copies on high quality paper - don't send photocopies.
• Be neat. Take care with the presentation, design, spaces, and spelling of your resume. Don't use abbreviations. Emphasize sections and things that are important with underlines or bold type.
• Make sure your CV is as organized as possible, so the information can be found easily.
• You do not need to date or sign your resume.
• Have a base CV that you can adjust to each job you are applying for.

Cover Letter

A cover letter usually accompanies a CV in a job application. In the format of a letter, it establishes your tone and intent. Also known as a cover letter, covering letter, motivation letter, or letter of motivation. The cover letter should focus on your future plans. Usually no longer than one page, handwritten cover letters may be requested.

Format
• Header - Standard business letter style, with the sender's address and other information, the recipient's contact information, and the date sent after either the sender's or the recipient's address. The final part of the header is a salutation (e.g., "Dear Hiring Managers").
• Introduction - The introduction briefly states the specific position desired, and should be designed to catch the employer's immediate interest.
• Body - Highlights material in the resume or job application, and explains why the job seeker is interested in the job and would be of value to the employer. Also, matters discussed typically include skills, qualifications, and past experience. If there are any special things to note such as availability date, they may be included as well.
• Closing - Sums up the letter and indicates the next step the applicant expects to take. It may indicate that the applicant intends to contact the employer, although many favor the more indirect approach of simply saying that the applicant will look forward to hearing from or speaking with the employer. After the closing is a valediction ("Sincerely"), and then a signature line. Optionally, the abbreviation "ENCL" may be used to indicate that there are enclosures.

Resources

For some basic templates for CVs and cover letters, try Career Lab, Great CV's, or the Career Resource Center.

Job Search

A checklist of what you need to start your Czech career:
• Write a curriculum vitae (CV)
• Research potential employers
• Find job opportunities
• Write cover letters
• Complete job applications
• Interview
• Follow-Up
• Get hired!

After you have completed your CV, it is time to search for jobs. Luckily, there are many excellent resources within the Czech Republic.

Search Engines

Searching for a job online has never been easier. There are numerous sites with the ability to filter listings by location, specialization, salary, etc. Some of the most popular sites are:
http://www.cvonline.cz/
http://jobdnes.idnes.cz/
http://www.jobpilot.cz/
http://www.jobs.cz/
http://www.joblist.cz/

And don't forget to check for job offers in Prague and Czech Republic with EasyExpat Job Listing and post your CV on the site.

Public Employment Services

Operated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Czech Republic, offices are located throughout the country. Job listings, resources, and advice can be found here. Public employment agencies offer service free of charge for Czech citizens or a foreigners with permanent residency. Registered job seekers also receive state-financed health insurance and social security contributions.

EURES

As part of the EU, Czech job seekers can access the European job mobility portal EURES. This resource provides information about job vacancies and the labor market in the Czech Republic. It also provides information on the living and working conditions, and a CV posting service.

Forums

Expat and social forums are another resource for job seekers. The Czech expat site, http://www.expats.cz/ has great listings for available positions. Easy expat's forums are another place to inquire about vacancies.

Newspaper

The old fashioned method of looking through the newspaper's classified's is still an effective way to look for employment.

• Mlada fronta Dnes - The staff will translate adverts from English, for a fee. There is also a section in classified's where people looking for work can advertise.
• The Prague Post - Best resource for English language.
• The Hospodarske Noviny - Weekly section called Kariera.
• The Lidovky

Interview

Interviews are a chance for a company to get to know you before hiring you. Research the company before the interview to discover their missions and direction. It is not uncommon for there to be a series of interviews, with the first lasting 30-60 min, and further meetings possibly taking an entire day.

• Dress neatly and conservatively.
• Arrive on time.
• Bring your CV, business card, and copies of the certificates.
• Ask questions. Demonstrate your knowledge and interest.
• Thank the interviewer for their time.

Contract

Most jobs rely on an employment contract (except for positions no longer than one month). The contract must be in writing and can include details of the type of work to be done, duration, salary, and benefits. If salary is not included, there must be a separate agreement stating the monthly income. Any further specifics like business trips must be written in within one month of the start of employment.

It is common to have a probational period at a new job. The length and requirements of this period should be detailed within the contract, including what should happen if either side wishes to terminate the contract. The maximum length for a probation period is three months.

Teaching English

As in many countries expats reside in, teaching English is a common position. Prague is the best city in the Czech Republic to teach as there are more organizations and higher pay. With the acceptance of the Czech Republic into the EU, once lax visa laws have become noticeably tighter. Most language schools in Prague now demand all applicants have TEFL course certificates, a college degree, and adequate visa clearance and registration.

Wages

The Czech provinces offer much lower wages than in Prague. For a native speaker, rates are about 120 Kc to 240 Kc per hour at a private school; 300 Kc to 400 Kc for private classes.

In Prague, competition among teachers and schools can be fierce. Building a reputation and experience will take time here. All beginning teachers get paid about 300 kc per 45 minutes. With experience, teachers can make much, much more then they ever could in the smaller markets.

In a good month, teachers can make about 18,000 kc.

Where to Look

One of the best resources when looking for positions is The Prague Post's classified's. Other websites include: http://prague.tv/classifieds/, http://www.expats.cz/prague/f-51.html, and http://www.jobs.cz/.

Working for a Language School

The easiest way to get started teaching English is to find a school. The best situations are companies that pay for health insurance and aid in getting visa paperwork completed. These positions are few and far between and in high demand. Schools with the best reputations include: Caledonian School, Languages at Work, Elvis Language School, and Charles University.

Applicants usually submit their resume and application, and if the school approves, the applicant will be asked for an interview. The interview can consist of a sample lesson (about 20 minutes) or a grammar test. Some schools will throw teachers right in for a 90 minute class where the school observes and either offers the job, or does not.

It is common for new teachers to only receive a few classes at first, usually morning classes. Many teachers work at two schools.

Private Lessons

Offering private lessons is usually more profitable per hour, but means a lot of hard work to find your own customers. The best way to get private students is to post advertisements in business newspapers, on bulletin boards, or post in the classified section. It is also helpful to have Czech language skills so you are able to work with beginner students. And while private students offer immediate money in your pocket, it can be hard to establish a reliable clientele.

Private lessons in technical and business English at private companies is the most lucrative strain of teaching. These jobs are hard to come by, and without experience, it is unlikely you will be able to gain a contract. It is also necessary to have all your paperwork in order for these positions.

To be a legal private teacher, essentially you need to set up as a small business. This means: pay taxes, buy state health insurance, and purchase a business license (Zivnostensky). Many people operate illegally, but penalties can include fines and deportation.

Requirements for a business license:
• Passport
• Criminal record (both Czech and home country)
• University diploma
• Birth certificate translated into Czech by a certified translator
• Letter from a landlord (or a Czech friend who is willing to vouch for you)
• Certificate that you are debt free from the Czech Ministry of Finance

Temporary Agencies

If you are in need of short term work of any kind, there are agencies that will find you employment with another company. As an added bonus, sometimes short term work can lead to longer contract.

AYS Placements and Workshops
Address: Krakovska 7, Prague 1
Telephone: +420 222 210 013

Job Centrum
Address: Mezibranska 7, Prague 1
Telephone:(+420) 296 220 045

Melanie Person
Address: Vlasska, Prague 1
Telephone:(+420) 257 530 121

Start
Address: Spalena 43, Prague 1

Work Visas & Permits

Work Visa

There is a work visa that is available for people working in the Czech Republic for no longer than 90 days. EU citizens or nationals of Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland do not need to apply for this visa.

Required documents:
• Application
• Passport
• Recent, colored passport photograph (the background should be white or light blue)
• Proof of accommodation

Work Permit

In conjunction with a long-stay visa, you may apply for a work permit. Along with the required documentation for that visa, you will need to supply an employment contract.

For further information on Visas, go to our section on Passport and Visas.

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