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Looking for work in Greece

 Looking for work in another country requires more than just the obvious CV translation. You will be confronted with issues that probably didn't even cross your mind when you decided to go for an international career, but don't underestimate the big impact they can have on the outcome of your adventure! Think for example about the different rules and habits regarding immigration, job application procedures, the selection procedures and the management culture.

Expertise in Labour Mobility has prepared practical fact sheets to support you in your job hunting abroad. A thorough preparation will give you a head start in the country of your choice. Here is some info on Greece:

Work permits in Greece

•     EEA citizens are free to move and work wherever they want to within the EEA (including Greece).
•     You must apply for a residence permit to work in Greece. This is valid for five years and should be issued within six months of your arrival.
•   Contact the Greek embassy in your home country for more information on work permits.

The application procedure in Greece

•     Newspapers are an important source of information, particularly for office workers and intermediate-level jobs.
•     The most important route to employment is through personal contacts. A temporary job might help with this networking.
•   The Greek public employment service, Organismos Apasholisseos Ergatikou Dynamikou (OAED), has the monopoly on vocational placements in Greece.

Writing a CV in Greece

•  The key focus of your CV should be to persuade the employer to invite you for an interview. Therefore your CV is a marketing tool, which should be adapted to the market in which you intend to use it.
•     There are no strict rules for a CV in Greece. It is usually between three and five pages long.
•     Greek CV's are exhaustive and detailed, and normally arranged in chronological order.
•     Practical experience is considered very important.
•     Many Greek companies use application form instead of CV's.

The application letter in Greece

•     The Greek application rules are not very strict.
•     The letter should be short, formal and polite.
•     Copies of diplomas, three references, a health certificate and a certificate of absence of a criminal record accompany the application in Greece.

Do's

•     Put everything in your CV that makes you an interesting candidate. More paper looks impressive to a Greek recruiter.
•     Provide examples to illustrate your achievements in Greece.
•     Be prepared for three to six interviews in the application process.
•     Look interested - ask questions.
•     Ask for clarification if you don't understand the question you have been asked.

Don'ts

•     Sit until invited in an interview.
•     Feel offended by questions about your personal situation - these questions are quite common in Greece.
•     Underestimate the importance of the Greek language and cultural heritage to the Greek.
•     Criticise former employers.
•     Go over the top - stay calm and stick to the facts.

Management culture in Greece

•     Most companies in Greece are relatively small and led by one manager.
•     There is a vertical hierarchy with very little responsibility in companies.
•     Comradeship is an essential part of life in Greece.
•     Many small organisations are very flexible, as they have learned to
•     Anticipate the fluctuations in the Greek economy.
•     During a meeting, it's important to make yourself heard.
•     The Greeks believe you should 'pass' time, not 'use' it.
•     Punctuality does not seem to be very important.

This information is based on the Looking for work in Greece guide (ISBN 978-90-5896-068-9), written by Expertise in Labour Mobility and has been used with their kind permission.  

For more information please visit    www.labourmobility.com

Expertise in Labour Mobility are a company who specialize in advice and guidance regarding international labour mobility.  Expertise in Labour Mobility assists organizations in their communication with their expatriate population, ranging from cultural management advice and job hunting information to writing complete expat policies and preparing expat tool kits for a wide range of clients.

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