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Where to Find Jobs for Americans in Europe ?

Posted Country Guides / February 14, 2018

Did you know that around nine million Americans live outside the US, and 800,000 of those are residing in the European Union? There are so many different jobs for Americans in Europe, making a career chase one of the two most frequent reasons for an international relocation.

The United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and France are the nations in which two-thirds of American expats in Europe live and work. And with close ties between the US and the Old Continent, it is easy for expats to adapt and get all the necessary documents for permanent relocation and employment. And contrary to popular belief, there are plenty of work opportunities besides teaching English. If you are a healthcare or IT professional, consider yourself lucky because there is a high demand for those professions.

What Are The Most Popular Countries That Offer Jobs for Americans in Europe?

If you are looking for employment abroad, you are not just going to pick the country to live in randomly. Finding the right one will be a long process, but you know how the saying goes – a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. The first step would be researching the job market. Go online and read through economic reports and job offers. This will give you a clearer picture of whether the country needs your skills and expertise or not.

If there is more than one place that you want to relocate to, compare their overall quality of living and lifestyle. In the end, it will be easier to make a decision you are happy with. The continent itself is home to more than 50 nations, and there is a bunch of them with excellent conditions for expats:

Germany

Are you wondering what is so great about moving to Germany, a place that is home to nearly 120,000 Americans? The answer to your question is complex, but it is, in a way, a combination of high standards of living, low crime rates, and vast job opportunities provided by a robust economy. Large international companies such as Adidas, Volkswagen, MAN, Siemens, Eon, and BMW originated in Germany and are usually headquartered there. But the foundation of the economy is made up of small and medium-sized businesses. Almost 90% of all enterprises are small or medium-sized, and they account for two-thirds of all workplaces.

The United Kingdom

It is a go-to place for many people who only speak English. Living in the sixth-largest national economy in the world will bring you many employment opportunities. The economy of the United Kingdom is not only concentrated in London. Cities like Edinburgh, Birmingham, and Cardiff are great places to build up your career as well. When networking, you will run into famous international companies like Vodafone, Legal & General, Unilever, and Royal Dutch Shell. If your dream is to work for world-famous enterprises, send a resume (it’s called CV across the Atlantic) to some of these companies.

France

It is the third-largest economy in the EU, with the chemical industry as its key sector. Also, France is the most visited destination in the world, making the tourism industry one of the most prominent sectors. Paris might be one of the best cities to live in Europe, but it is not the only option. Keep that in mind if you are looking for a more kickback environment to settle down in. Some high-profile international companies such as Peugeot, Renault, and Christian Dior are located here. You could check out openings and apply for positions that you find thrilling and inspiring.

Italy

A beautiful and unique place, it is perfect for all summer lovers. Warm weather and a relaxed way of life are only an added bonus for those searching for employment in Italy. The nation is a large manufacturer of products that include machinery, furniture, food, robots, vehicles, and clothing. It is famous as the largest wine producer and a hub for luxury goods. If you plan on moving to Italy, you will be staying in a place that has 27 companies on the Forbes 2000 list, and some of them are Enel, Intesa Sanpaolo, Eni, UniCredit, and Leonardo S.p.A. This means that you will easily find employment here, whether you are interested in high fashion, banking, or the automotive industry.

Spain

If you choose to settle down in the fifth-largest economy in the EU, know that picking the community to live in will play a major role in the way you live your life. When moving to Spain, remember that cities like Madrid and Barcelona are as different as night and day, but both of them can give you the adventure of a lifetime. The same goes for Seville and Valencia. If you are interested in telecommunications, check out ads on the Telefonica site since it is the biggest company in that sector. Also, check out Repsol if you want to have a career in the oil and gas industry – it is one of the most successful companies in Spain.

Scandinavia

Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Iceland are famous for their high quality of life, giving an excellent reason for expats to flock there. Additionally, these places have economies that are amongst the strongest in the world, along with a generous and efficient welfare system.

Prepare For The Search

Once you decide to move internationally and go to Europe, you’ll need to properly prepare for the job search. There are a few ways you can do it. Luckily, technology nowadays allows us to actually network and apply for work halfway across the world without traveling there beforehand.

An Essential Step Is to Make a New Resume

The European form of curriculum vitae is different from the one used in the US. This is mainly because the CV is used in academia, science, and research, and it is longer than the standard American resume. While in Europe, CV is just another name for a traditional resume, a document that highlights professional experience.

Your new CV should include personal information, such as age and gender. It is not unheard of for people to add their hobbies to their resume. Also, your potential employers would like to see basic information about your high school experience, even if you got your bachelor’s degree.

Once your CV is neatly written, it is time to tackle the task of finding employment in the Old Continent. It shouldn’t be that hard if you know where to look.

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Know Where to Look for Job Posts That Are Related to Your Field of Expertise

Living in this day and age brings many benefits. Everything is viral, connected, and online, so finding employment across the world while you are still in the US might be easier than it sounds. Networking is the answer to all of your questions. Start by checking out some of the best sites for expats to find jobs:

  • LinkedIn – the biggest online business community
  • Monster Worldwide – an international site that is also available as a mobile app
  • Jooble – one of the most famous sites for employment hunt
  • CareerBuilder International – offers listings of positions in more than a few Old Continent countries
  • Eurojobs – focused on employment options in the Old Continent

Finding employment can be a piece of cake if you hire a recruitment agency. A great agency will take time to get to know you and your desires, and then will help you find some decent work.

People Earn More Money If They Are Bilingual

Did you know that 19% of people in the Old Continent are bilingual? That being said, breaking the language barrier by learning a new language has so many benefits. If you speak another tongue besides English, your chances of finding employment will grow proportionally, since there is a trend among European parents to bring their children up bilingual.

This means they hire native-speaking nannies to take care of their kids as so-called au pairs. This presents a perfect opportunity for recent college graduates and people looking for experience in childcare. During your nanny career, you can get experience in time management and organization that you can use later on to advance in your desired field.

Make Sure You’re Real About Your Knowledge

Don’t sell yourself short or oversell your knowledge of other languages, because that is easily checkable. Be realistic, emphasize your hard work and dedication you can bring to a firm or a family that hires you to take care of its children.

Also, there is a great demand for fluent or native English speakers in the field of customer service. Many companies have headquarters on the Old Continent, making it a hub for all kinds of jobs related to customer service. If this is something you can see yourself doing, emphasize that you understand the cultural habits and customs of the place you are living in.

A Good IT Technician Can Find Employment Quickly

According to Eurostat, the tech industry is growing five times faster than the rest of the economy. Predictions claim that even more tech hubs will emerge on the Old Continent. For now, cities like Warsaw, Cologne, and Vienna have attracted many investments, but overall, there are 15 places around the continent with a developer population that numbers over 50,000 people.

IT services are vital in the modern world, and some of the biggest software manufacturers and service providers in the world have headquarters all over Europe. Since most coding languages are based on commands in English, the IT industry is perfect for American expats. Qualified IT technicians will find well-paid employment quickly since there is a big shortage of skilled workers.

Find Work as an English Teacher

The spectrum of languages spoken across the continent is wide, and how could it not be with 746 million people living here. Folks around the continent speak roughly 225 indigenous languages, with English as the single most widely spoken one among them.

Americans who relocate to the Old Continent will find employment as teachers easily since statistics show that almost 98% of Europeans consider learning a second language a top priority. As a native speaker, there are many different positions you can apply to. Check out schools, TEFL Academy, or refugee camps.

Nowadays, English is highly valued, and the demand for teachers is high, making it the easiest job to land as an expat. Top countries for teachers are:

  • The Czech Republic – with its up-and-coming economy, it gives native speakers legal permits to teach
  • Ireland – yes, English and Irish are official languages here, but the country welcomes teachers
  • Greece – finding a job in “frontistiria,” also known as schools, will be a piece of cake, and the fact that you will get to live in a sunny, history-rich spot is just an added bonus.

Healthcare Professionals Can Find a Job Easily

The lack of healthcare professionals is a major concern in the Old Continent. Eurostat data shows that among the EU members, Germany, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, and Luxembourg have been reporting an increase of inhabitants that are nursing professionals.

American expats looking for employment in healthcare will find work quickly enough. The age and structure of the workforce are changing rapidly. According to the World Health Organization, physicians are getting older, and one out of three is over 55.

Healthcare professionals should remember that countries such as Greece and Georgia have one nurse for every physician, while Finland and Ireland have between 4 and 5. Consider this before you pick a nation to relocate to and hire international moving services.

Once you’ve found your new job, you’ll need to start thinking about your life in Europe and how you will get used to living overseas. And to help you with the process of your move, you should get in touch with international movers and book your move straightaway. It’s best to leave everything to the professionals while you start getting used to your new environment.

Relocating to Europe Will Bring You Closer to Your Dream Job

If you are an American looking for work in Europe, there are many opportunities available. With the right skills and a positive attitude, you can find a job that suits your needs and allows you to experience life in a new country. We hope this article has been helpful and provided some useful information about the current job market in Europe. Happy job hunting!

Eva Johnson

Digital nomad born in New York but currently living online, Eva knows everything there is to know about packing and moving.

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