Currently, the job market in Romania is not particularly dynamic. A high unemployment combined with a low growth rate make finding a job in Romania rather difficult for foreigners. EU nationals may encounter fewer difficulties since no work permit or visa is required by the Romanian authorities since the country has entered the EU.
As the country's most prosperous city, the job market in Bucharest is relatively better. Foreigners with specialist skills will find it easier to obtain a position, particularly in multinational companies with branches in Romania. Native English speakers will also be considered for English teaching jobs in local institutes and language academies.
When applying for a job or inquiring about employment positions, always send a resume or a CV. Though a CV is more commonly used in Romania, resumes are also accepted.
For more information about the differences between the two, read the EasyExpat article "CV vs. Résumé".
The CV should contain:
A CV is usually accompanied by a cover letter (covering letter, letter of motivation, or motivation letter) when applying for a job in Romania. The cover letter is usually written in English and establishes your tone and intent.
Format
Some basic templates for CVs and cover letters can be accessed at Career Lab, Great CV's, or the Career Resource Center.
Finding a job in Romania is a time consuming task. A key step is finding out about the vacancies in a timely manner. Networking is an important part of the process, so you may want to expand your list of contacts as much as possible while you search for work.
A checklist of what you need to start your career:
Search engines allow you to scan a great variety of jobs, and narrow down your search on certain criteria. It is also a good idea to post your CV online so hiring managers can find you. They may also allow you to sign-up for e-mail alerts of when new jobs become available.
The opportunities can also be found on the National Agency for Employment website (in Romanian).
The EU job seekers can access the European job mobility portal EURES. EURES is a website that provides information about job openings and the labor market, as well as the living and working conditions in each of the EU member states. It also includes a CV posting service.
EURAXESS is a EU programme that supports career mobility among researchers among the European Union member states and the other partner countries.
Online forums and professional social networking websites are becoming increasingly common as a source of information for job seekers. Make sure to check out expat and social forums such as the Romania forum on EasyExpat or EasyExpat's LinkedIn group.
Face to face networking can be one of the most effective approaches for looking for a position in Romania. Connect with friends, family, and business and personal contacts to research for information and potential employers. Do not miss expat events in the area, as they can enable you to learn how other expats found work and whether their company has any vacancies.
While newspapers are not the most common way of searching for job openings anymore, several national newspapers have a classified's section with job advertisements.
A useful magazine is Cariere, which features announcements of vacancies on its website, CariereOnline, most of them at top Romanian companies.
Recruitment agencies can be a useful tool in searching for employment. A list of the recruitment agencies can be found on the Golden Pages website, searching for "agentie de recrutare".
Native English speakers have the option of teaching English in Romania. The process is easier for EU nationals due to lesser regulation, but non-EU citizens are in growing demand.
There are several language schools in Bucharest interested in hiring native speakers. The application process is different for each school. The best way to find out about available positions is to simply start contacting schools directly by sending an inquiry e-mail and your CV.
Opportunities can be found at:
Private lessons are common practice in Romania, but technically illegal if you do not have a work permit. They are more profitable per hour, but finding customers is more difficult. The best way to get private students is to post advertisements on bulletin boards, or offer your services on social media groups and forums and by word of mouth.
TESOL (also known as TEFL) stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. A TESOL certificate is the most common qualification required to teach English as a foreigner in Romania. There are a wide variety of TESOL courses available, ranging from 4-week intensive, classroom based courses with observed teaching practice, to courses studied online.
Standard TESOL certificate courses can be combined with more specialized ones for teaching business English, or teaching English to young learners. There is also the more advanced TESOL diploma course. You should learn about whether the position you are applying for requires a TESOL certificate directly from the school.
Interviews are a mandatory step in the recruitment process of companies in Romania. You should prepare carefully before an interview and research the company you are applying to. Usually a recruitment process will consist of a series of interviews with various persons from the company at different hierarchical levels, as well as personality and technical tests.
Tips for a successful interview:
Employment contracts are mandatory in Romania. The contract must be in writing, should identify the employer and the employee, and include the title of the position, the description of the responsibilities, the duration of the contract and commencement date, salary, benefits as well as other details required by law.
It is common to have a trial period at a new job. The length and requirements of this period are specified in the contract. The contract should be signed by the employer and the employee and registered with the Local Labor Inspectorate.
Short term work can be found with temporary agencies. At times, short term work can lead to a permanent contract. For finding short term opportunities you may contact the following agencies:
Update 30/06/2017
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