Vienna offers a wide range of job opportunities for foreigners, although it will be difficult to find a job here. During the search, it is worth using various resources – websites, agencies, dating, social networks. Here, applicants can look for vacancies in various fields that are perfect for students, graduates of higher education institutions, and for those looking for seasonal or permanent work.
Both qualified employees and newcomers to the labor market can get a job in various companies. To do this, everyone should constantly look through the sections called “Looking for a job”, “Looking for employees”, etc.
Among those who want to get a job in Vienna for one position or another, there are quite a lot of residents of the European Union, as well as people from countries of the post-Soviet space. The latter have some advantage because they do not require high salaries.
In contrast, the Germans, Poles, and Greeks insist on a European level of wages. Moreover, the average income in Austria is 2.5 thousand euros.
Professions in demand in Vienna
People with and without qualifications most often apply for vacancies in the construction and educational sectors, production and maintenance. So, for men there are many offers at various factories and enterprises, at the construction of various objects.
For example, summer work that involves the repair and construction of cottages, high-rise buildings, and private houses is perfect for students. The universal nature of the knowledge and skills of workers increases the chances of employment, especially when finishing houses. These in 2023 include such professions as:
- painter;
- plasterer;
- concrete workers;
- drywaller;
- fitter;
- monolithic.
Girls and women have a wider range of opportunities. This is due to the development of social, medical and educational spheres of activity, which has brought Austria to one of the first places in Europe in the payment of various benefits and provision of various services to the elderly and children.
Therefore, in the “Looking for a Job” section there are a lot of advertisements related to:
- governesses and housekeepers;
- housewives;
- caregivers;
- cleaners;
- social workers;
- teachers;
- nurses;
- teachers in kindergartens.
You are sure to find vacancies for accountants, economists, managers and secretaries that are in demand in all areas. The high standard of living and decent wages in the country motivates people to move to Austria for permanent residence .
New professions for visitors
New types of employment are constantly being added to traditional types of employment, which is caused by the changing conditions of the job market. Therefore, employees with a narrower profile began to be required – logisticians, IT specialists, advertisers, designers, programmers, technologists, engineers.
But such specialties can only be obtained after a long period of study at a university or college, so qualifications with a minimum set of skills are most suitable for students and young people. For example, in the field of gardening, on fish farms, in cooking.
Men can get jobs as security guards, watchmen, sailors in the river fleet, and drivers of various types of transport. Women are constantly in demand as teachers, designers, employees of hotels, hospices, social institutions, hospitals and other medical institutions.
There are also “general” professions that are great for both sexes: realtors, hostesses, administrative assistants, waiters, bartenders, journalists, editors, managers.
Seasonal employment
The section “Looking for work” is full of advertisements that citizens of other countries can work on agricultural farms (in spring and autumn) and at ski resorts (in winter and early spring).
Typically, residents of the European Union and post-Soviet countries apply for such vacancies; most often these are students and young people without qualifications. When applying for a job, you need to take into account several important nuances.
Firstly, every year the country’s government sets quotas for the admission of foreigners who want to take such jobs. First, EU residents and the local population are hired, and only then migrant workers from other countries.
Secondly, a work visa to Austria is issued for no more than six months. Harvest applicants are issued a visa for only 6 weeks. There are two types of visas for seasonal work – C – short-term and D – long-term.
Thirdly, do not forget that in order to engage in seasonal work, you must obtain a special permit. We wrote about this in another article about finding a job in Austria .
Conditions for employment
Applicants for various vacancies should pay attention to the requirements put forward by employers.
Those who do not speak foreign languages, especially German, have very little chance of finding a job.
Considering that the capital of Austria is a multilingual city, that is, many languages coexist here. However, without knowing German, it will be very difficult for visiting foreigners to get a job. Although many companies are willing to hire permanent or seasonal employees who know Russian. It is necessary for accountants, managers, secretaries, and businessmen.
Another prerequisite is work experience. As a rule, it is absent among students and people who worked in one specialty and are applying for another. Therefore, advanced training courses based on obtaining theoretical knowledge, internships and practical training are open to them.
Separate employment conditions have been created for students to help young people pay for housing, studies and other expenses. Features include the work schedule: for bachelors it is no more than 10 hours every week, and for those studying for a master’s degree – up to 20 hours. When working overtime, an additional bonus must be paid, which must be indicated in the employment contract.
Employers provide students with food and housing (in case of seasonal part-time work).
Thus, the German language, a higher education diploma and work experience can guarantee applicants a work permit.
Another feature of employment in Austria is the different types of contracts. You can read how they differ in the article about laws in Austria , in the labor law section.
Where to find a job
To search for vacancies and work in Austria, it is worth taking an integrated approach, including special websites, social networks, newspapers, career fairs, etc.
Attention should also be paid to independent labor exchanges, which are private. But this is where you can find advertisements for short-term work in real estate (promoters or leaflet distributors), service (waiters), tourism (maids, luggage carriers, guides). This type of employment is popular among students, sometimes schoolchildren, who want to earn extra money during the holidays.
Next, it is worth monitoring the web portals of the administrative bodies of the lands, which are engaged in job searches and employment of the population. Most often, students and graduates of higher educational institutions in Austria come here .
The advantages of such institutions are as follows:
- View the full list of vacancies and get advice if any of them interests the applicant;
- Register in the database to receive current offers;
- Attending special courses to improve qualifications and acquire practical skills.
Among social sites, linkedin and Xing are common, where a large number of young people register. The profile must be current and the information on it must not be outdated. It is necessary to truthfully fill out the lines about skills, abilities, education, attaching diplomas and certificates received.
To increase your chances of finding a job, you should join thematic groups, one of which may be called “Looking for a job.”
To narrow your search, you need to find groups based on your qualifications or profession. Work through social networks is sought in several ways:
- Distribution of resumes.
- Independent search for vacancies.
- Writing motivation letters.
- Participation in various projects so that the employer can evaluate a potential employee.
Sometimes recruiters find candidates by offering a particular vacancy. Before agreeing to the offer, you need to find out all the nuances about the work schedule, social package, payment terms – hourly, weekly, monthly, bonus, vacation pay, etc.
Career fairs are held regularly in Vienna, but they are more aimed at those looking for permanent employment. Before visiting, you need to read booklets and information leaflets to find out details about the areas of work of a particular company.