September 13th, 2023 at 06:19 pm
Poland Work Visas | How to Find a Job in Poland as a Foreigner
Poland’s economy is prospering, and its workers have a healthy work-life balance. It also has one of Europe’s lowest living costs and the second-lowest unemployment rate.
There will be much to discover on your days off because major tourist towns such as Warsaw, Krakow, and Wroclaw are hotspots for graduate jobs. You won’t want to miss Poland’s enormous range of woods, lakes, and mountains, in addition to the famed Warsaw Old Market Place. You could, for example, go exploring in Gryfino’s Crooked Forest.
You’ll also have a lower cost of living than in most European countries, the opportunity to learn a new language, and the ability to experience a blend of Western and Eastern European cultures because of Poland’s center location.
Poland Job Opportunities
There are many job opportunities for foreigners considering working in Poland; in fact, it has become one of Europe’s largest business process outsourcing/shared services centers (BPO/SSCs).
Although the services industry employs the bulk of the country’s people, other industries include drinks, chemicals, coal mining, food processing, iron and steel, glass, machine building, shipbuilding, and textiles.
In Poland, there are various multinational corporations as well as large domestic corporations, including:
- SA Agora
- The Asseco Group
- Nixdorf Diebold
- The FCA Group
- Poland GSK (GlaxoSmithKline)
- Polish Airlines LOT
- The Nordea Group
- Orange Poland
- Orlen’s PKN
- Bank PKO Polski
- Volkswagen Poznan
- RBS in Poland
- T-Mobile Poland
- Toyota Motor Poland
The Careers in Poland Guidebook is a helpful guide to the Polish labor market and global enterprises headquartered in Poland.
In addition to significant corporations with a presence in Poland, the country is home to a number of successful start-ups, including LiveChat, Brand24, Estimote, and Brainly.
Skills shortages in Poland
Graduate shortages exist in the following industries:
- engineering – civil, chemical, electrical and mechanical
- healthcare – doctor
- accounting and finance – accountants, financial analysts.
How to Find Work in Poland
The majority of workers apply for jobs in their native country, usually through a job portal. You could also look for a job through an international corporation having offices in Poland.
You can find job postings on the following websites:
- Careerjet.pl – in Polish
- Careers In Poland
- Infopraca.pl
- Jobs In Warsaw
- Kariera w Finansach – in Polish
- Praca.pl
- Reed
In addition to private recruiting companies, persons traveling from EU member states or the European Economic Area (EEA) can seek employment assistance through Polish district labor offices.
A simple technique to job look from home is to use social media – jobs are offered on GoldenLine, Poland’s LinkedIn counterpart.
Numerous Polish publications also have extensive job vacancy sections, such as:
Another resource for job searchers looking for work in Poland is the European Job Mobility Portal (EURES).
If you want to work for a specific organization, you can submit them a speculative application with a CV and cover letter, much like in the UK. However, unless it is mentioned that English is acceptable, most employers expect applications to be written in Polish.
You should also include a protection clause at the conclusion of your CV that authorizes employers to process your personal data. The provision is as follows:
- I give my consent to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of carrying out the recruitment process (in accordance with the Data Protection Act of 1997; (text jednolity: Dz.U. z 2015r., poz. 2135).
If you’re filing an application in English, the clause reads as follows:
- I hereby consent to the processing of my personal data included in my application for the purposes of the recruiting process in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act of August 29, 1997, consolidated text: Journal of Laws 2015, item 2135 as amended.
If you are asked for an interview and are not from an EU nation, it is vital to confirm whether you will need a visa from your local Polish embassy before booking your flight.
Summer jobs
You’ll be able to obtain casual work in hotels, restaurants, and pubs, as well as at huge corporations, throughout the busy summer season. Check the above job sites for positions with the latter, apply speculatively, or enquire in person if you’re already in the nation.
Teaching jobs
Since Poland’s accession to the EU in 2004, there has been a greater need than ever for Polish professionals to understand the EU’s international business language. As a result, teaching English as a foreign language is one of the most accessible careers for native English speakers in Poland. There is teaching employment available in a variety of venues, including public schools, private language schools, language camps, and as a private tutor.
To be selected for these posts, which normally last one year, you must have a strong Bachelor’s degree and a teaching license. They are typically promoted in January and during the summer months (June through August).
TEFL.org.uk has further information on teaching English in Poland. Look for openings at:
Internships
Securing an internship could help your CV while also providing useful work experience and allowing you to experience living in another nation. With this experience, you’ll be a strong candidate for graduation positions.
A number of multinational corporations have a presence in Poland. You can look for jobs on individual websites or go speculative and contact them directly to inquire.
It is not uncommon for internships in Poland to include paid housing as remuneration rather than a full wage. Paid work will most likely pay close to the Polish minimum wage of 3,010ZL (£555) per month.
To view what’s currently offered, go to Praktyki.edu.pl and Go Overseas.
Polish visas
If you are a citizen of a European Union (EU) country, you can move to Poland and start looking for employment right away, without the requirement for a work permit. However, because you will most certainly be working for more than three months, you will need to obtain a temporary residence permit, which can be valid for up to three years. This can be arranged through your local Voivodeship Office.
EU citizens may also be eligible to have some forms of health and social security coverage transferred to the country where they seek employment. See the European Commission for country-specific information.
Non-EU workers, such as those from the United Kingdom, will typically need a formal job offer from a Polish company in order to qualify for a work permit.
For the most up-to-date visa information for UK citizens, contact the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London.
Language Requirements
Because Polish is the country’s official language and is spoken by the majority of the people, proficiency is likely to be required for employment.
However, the country has one of the world’s highest percentages of English as a second language, especially among younger people. In the corporate world, there are numerous prospects for English speakers.
Lack of grasp of Polish can be a barrier to communication, particularly with the older generation, so try to acquire at least some understanding before you come. Polish language lessons are available around the UK, and there are numerous websites that may assist you in learning a language or improving your skills. Learn the fundamentals of the Polish language at BBC Languages – Polish and Study in Poland – Polish language.
How to Explain Your Skills to Potential Employers
Poland is a member of the Bologna process and the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), thus your UK qualifications should be similar to their Polish equivalent and so completely recognized by companies. Go! for more information about comparisons with Polish qualifications. Degree recognition in Poland.
If your qualifications must be reviewed, for example, to work in a regulated profession in Poland, you can explore the list of professions with special requirements.
What is it like to work in Poland?
Annual leave at Polish enterprises is usually 20 days per year. Regular office hours are typically 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., however, working time cannot exceed eight hours each day. You have the right to opt out of this by submitting a written request, but it must be contained in your employment contract. In addition, overtime cannot exceed 150 hours in a calendar year.
Some jobs require you to work from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, but you can exchange any days you work outside of the five-day week for a day off.
While hierarchical organizational structures still exist, authoritarian corporate cultures are giving way to more open discussion between management and employees. Poles are often open, pleasant, and tolerant, yet good business attire is the norm, and meetings can be stiff, straightforward, and professional, with punctuality being quite important.
Prepare to address people in the office by their professional title and family name rather than their first name – and avoid shaking hands in a doorway, as locals may believe this brings bad luck.
According to Numbeo.com, the cost of living in Poland is 40% lower than in the UK; rent is also roughly 50% lower on average, however, earnings are often lower as well.
When moving to a new country, social networking is a terrific way to meet like-minded people – groups like Krakow Expats and Expats in Warsaw will help you settle in.
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