International job opportunities in Europe

EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS IN EUROPE 

(What are the most demanded jobs in Europe? Which is the best country to work in for me? Which languages are required in my ideal location? Let us help you answer some of these crucial questions)

Perhaps you're looking for new opportunities, experiences, cultures or simply want to develop your your language skills. Then, let me give you some advice: move abroad! The possibility of working abroad is not only very attractive but it's also never been easier.

Globalisation has made it possible -and necessary- for foreigners to fill exciting positions all over Europe. Companies are constantly looking for multilingual workers so taking the risk is becoming less and less, well... risky.

So here is some essential info on where to go and what kind of profiles companies are searching for.

Though geographically fairly small, Western Europe is home to a great diversity of languages, countries, and cultures. From the Italian Alps to the streets of London, there is much to be explored in Western Europe.

Western Europe is typically thought of as the area west of Germany on the European continent. It is a region that was able to grow independently of Soviet influence during the latter half of the twentieth century, meaning that its economy today is significantly more developed than Eastern Europe’s. Depending on the specific boundaries you draw, there are around 20 countries commonly thought of as “Western European.”

Some of the most popular destinations for jobs abroad include France, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Smaller European countries, such as the Netherlands and Switzerland are also very globally connected and offer good employment opportunities for international workers.

Within these countries, and many more, there are many unique cities where you can direct your search for work. It might be tempting to dive headfirst into big name cities, such as Paris or London, but give some serious thought to Western Europe’s smaller cities as well. Smaller cities can often offer a more authentic and culturally immersive experience when living and working abroad.

Since Western Europe is one of the wealthiest regions in the world, you can find many jobs in Western Europe that pay quite well. However, it may be a competitive place to find jobs abroad, and good reason.

Many of jobs in Western Europe that are available to international workers are temporary positions in the service sector. The hospitality and tourism industries especially look to recruit foreign workers to fill short-term positions. Being multilingual will greatly boost your prospects for jobs in Western Europe’s service industry.

Other jobs in Western Europe that are easily attainable for international workers include those in education and childcare. In our increasingly globalized world, English is becoming vital for all people to know as a second language, and as such you can find English teaching jobs all across Western Europe.

These temporary jobs abroad in Europe tend to last up to one or two years. If you are trying to start a permanent career by working abroad in Western Europe, employers with branches located around the world will have an easier time accommodating and hiring international workers, and will often have more power when it comes to obtaining a permanent work or residential visa too.

Which countries are hiring the most in Europe?

Let’s take a look to the countries where more people are needed. After all, the higher the number of opportunities, the better your chances are of getting a job. 

We can divide them roughly into three areas of Europe:

Southern Europe

Maybe your dream job is in a sunny climate, near the beach and enjoying the Mediterranean food and lifestyle. Well, then now is the time to look for a job! There is a very high number of  vacancies in Spain, Portugal, Greece and Malta, right now. These are the countries with the biggest amount of offers available in Europe Language Jobs database.  If you like the idea of a job in cities such as Barcelona, Athens or Lisbon, then look no further.

Eastern Europe

For those of you who would prefer to escape from the heat and the crowded Southern summer. Eastern Europe will bring you the peace, tranquillity and satisfaction you’re looking for. Countries such as Poland, Romania, Czech Republic or Bulgaria also have a large influx of vacancies. You can discover the awesomeness of the old Europe while developing yourself and enjoying some of the most relaxed cheapest cities in Europe.

Britain and Ireland

The classic choice when thinking about moving abroad – and still going strong! The United Kingdom and Irelandare always a good option: many European multilinguals are being recruited right now throughout the British Isles. Also, working in a country where English is the mother tongue may seem easier to get started, as well as a good way to perfect your English language skills.

But remember, just because you don't see your language in the image, it doesn't mean that there aren't jobs there!

Which languages are the most demanded?

Of course you need to be aware of which language/s are required in the positions you’re applying to. The more languages you speak, the wider range of opportunities you have to choose from – but there are always opportunities, no matter what language you speak.

English is mandatory for the majority of positions in most European cities, nowadays. And if you speak German, many companies are looking for you right now! German speakers are required in huge numbers all over Europe. French, Dutch and Spanish are also very demanded languages, followed by Italian and the Scandinavian languages (Swedish, Danish, Norwegian and Finnish). Those are the most but, as mentioned earlier, that's not to say that they are the only demanded languages.

 What kinds of jobs are being offered?

Of course, being qualified and specialised is a gateway to many possibilities. There are prospects in every sector but some of them hold more weight than others. Jobs in Customer Service are the most demanded ones. Multilingual Agents, Account Managers, Workforce Planners or Operation Managers are some of the most sought after profiles. IT offers many vacancies for multilinguals around Europe as well. This includes Technical Support, Software Engineering and so on… but also one of the most desired jobs ever: Game Testing! You can be surprised at the amount of game testers with languages that are required.