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Romanian Job Market

Currently, the job market in Romania is not particularly dynamic. A high unemployment combined with a low growth rate make finding a job in Romania rather difficult for foreigners. EU nationals may encounter fewer difficulties since no work permit or visa is required by the Romanian authorities since the country has entered the EU.

As the country's most prosperous city, the job market in Bucharest is relatively better. Foreigners with specialist skills will find it easier to obtain a position, particularly in multinational companies with branches in Romania. Native English speakers will also be considered for English teaching jobs in local institutes and language academies.

Resume / CV in Romania

When applying for a job or inquiring about employment positions, always send a resume or a CV. Though a CV is more commonly used in Romania, resumes are also accepted.

• Resume- Overview of work and educational experience. Prominent in the US when applying for employment. Typically one page.
• CV (curriculum vitae) - In-depth look at work and educational experience. Prominent in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Typically two or more pages.

For more information about the differences between the two, read the EasyExpat article "CV vs. Résumé".

CV Layout in Romania

The CV should contain:

• Contact Information: Relevant personal contact information at the top of the page including: name, phone number, address, and email address.
• Professional Experience: Usually this information is listed in a reverse chronological order. List your work experience with: your title, the name of the company you worked for, the dates of your employment, and a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements in that job.
• Education: If you are still in school or are a recent graduate with little work experience related to the position, list this section first. Make sure to provide the name of the school or university and the degree you received, along with the year of graduation. Note if you received any special honours.
• Certificates & Diplomas: Courses, seminars, congresses or conferences that are relevant in relation to the position. Include the name of the institutions awarding the certificates and the date when they were awarded.
• Languages: This is extremely relevant to an international job. List which languages you speak and your level: advanced, intermediate or beginner. Point out if you can translate, speak, or write in each language and list any associated degrees. If you are submitting your resume in a language that is not your native tongue, be sure to have a native speaker read it first. Spelling and grammar are extremely important.
• Computer Skills: Programs, applications, word processing, database, Internet experience, etc. Note that IT specialists are in high demand in Romania. If you are an IT specialist, list a detailed listing of your IT skills before work experience. 
• Interests: You may include personal interests such as hobbies, sports, activities.

Tips for submitting a CV in Romania

• A CV in English is most common in Romania, as most of the job advertisements are in English.
• Make sure that key information is easy to find. Use tables to list the information. Highlight section headings.
• Write in a concise, straightforward style. 
• Be neat. Format the document carefully. Take care with appearance, spelling, text aligning, and bullet points.
• Use a simple font, such as Arial (10) or Times New Roman (12). Do not overuse bold and underlined text.
• Create a standard CV that you can customize to each job you are applying for.
• Use high quality paper. Send originals, not photocopies.
• Do not include a photograph unless explicitly requested by the employer.
• You don't need to sign or date your CV.

Cover Letters in Romania

A CV is usually accompanied by a cover letter (covering letter, letter of motivation, or motivation letter) when applying for a job in Romania. The cover letter is usually written in English and establishes your tone and intent.

Format

• Header - The header includes the candidate's name, address and other contact information, the recipient's contact details, the date sent, and a salutation. The salutation should address the recipient (e.g., "Dear Hiring Managers"), and include their last name, to the extent possible (e.g., "Dear Mr./Ms. X").
• Introduction - The introduction states the specific position desired and should attract the employer' interest.
• Body - The body explains why you are interested in the job and why you would be an appropriate candidate. You may refer to and expand upon information from your CV, such as skills, past experience or qualifications, and relate them to the position and the company you are applying for. Do not include a standard cover letter, remember to adjust it for each job application.
• Closing - The closing concludes the letter, and states the next step that you expect to take. You may announce your intention to contact the employer or indicate that you look forward to hearing from them. A valediction should follow ("Sincerely"), then your signature.

CV Resources

Some basic templates for CVs and cover letters can be accessed at Career Lab, Great CV's, or the Career Resource Center.

Job Search in Romania

Finding a job in Romania is a time consuming task. A key step is finding out about the vacancies in a timely manner. Networking is an important part of the process, so you may want to expand your list of contacts as much as possible while you search for work.

A checklist of what you need to start your career:

• Write a curriculum vitae or resume
• Research potential employers
• Find available vacancies
• Write cover letters
• Complete job applications
• Interview
• Follow-Up

Job Search Engines in Romania

Search engines allow you to scan a great variety of jobs, and narrow down your search on certain criteria. It is also a good idea to post your CV online so hiring managers can find you. They may also allow you to sign-up for e-mail alerts of when new jobs become available.

• Ejobs
• Bestjobs
• Myjob
• Bizoo
• Hipo (for recent graduates and young professionals)
• CareerJet
• Jobber (for IT specialists)
• FinanceProfessionals

The opportunities can also be found on the National Agency for Employment website (in Romanian).

EURES

The EU job seekers can access the European job mobility portal EURES. EURES is a website that provides information about job openings and the labor market, as well as the living and working conditions in each of the EU member states. It also includes a CV posting service.

EURAXESS

EURAXESS is a EU programme that supports career mobility among researchers among the European Union member states and the other partner countries.

Forums and Networking

Online forums and professional social networking websites are becoming increasingly common as a source of information for job seekers. Make sure to check out expat and social forums such as the Romania forum on EasyExpat or EasyExpat's LinkedIn group.

Face to face networking can be one of the most effective approaches for looking for a position in Romania. Connect with friends, family, and business and personal contacts to research for information and potential employers. Do not miss expat events in the area, as they can enable you to learn how other expats found work and whether their company has any vacancies.

Newspaper

While newspapers are not the most common way of searching for job openings anymore, several national newspapers have a classified's section with job advertisements.

• Jurnalul Național
• Bursa
• România Liberă
• Curierul Național
• Evenimentul Zilei

A useful magazine is Cariere, which features announcements of vacancies on its website, CariereOnline, most of them at top Romanian companies.

Recruitment Agencies in Romania

Recruitment agencies can be a useful tool in searching for employment. A list of the recruitment agencies can be found on the Golden Pages website, searching for "agentie de recrutare".

Teaching English in Romania

Native English speakers have the option of teaching English in Romania. The process is easier for EU nationals due to lesser regulation, but non-EU citizens are in growing demand.

English-Language Schools in Romania

There are several language schools in Bucharest interested in hiring native speakers. The application process is different for each school. The best way to find out about available positions is to simply start contacting schools directly by sending an inquiry e-mail and your CV.

Opportunities can be found at:

• British Council
• International House Romania
• FIDES Centre
• Cambridge Centre
• Shakespeare School

Teaching Private English Classes in Romania

Private lessons are common practice in Romania, but technically illegal if you do not have a work permit. They are more profitable per hour, but finding customers is more difficult. The best way to get private students is to post advertisements on bulletin boards, or offer your services on social media groups and forums and by word of mouth.

Teaching Certificates

TESOL (also known as TEFL) stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. A TESOL certificate is the most common qualification required to teach English as a foreigner in Romania. There are a wide variety of TESOL courses available, ranging from 4-week intensive, classroom based courses with observed teaching practice, to courses studied online.

Standard TESOL certificate courses can be combined with more specialized ones for teaching business English, or teaching English to young learners. There is also the more advanced TESOL diploma course. You should learn about whether the position you are applying for requires a TESOL certificate directly from the school.

Interviewing for a Job in Romania

Interviews are a mandatory step in the recruitment process of companies in Romania. You should prepare carefully before an interview and research the company you are applying to. Usually a recruitment process will consist of a series of interviews with various persons from the company at different hierarchical levels, as well as personality and technical tests.

Tips for a successful interview:

• Dress neatly and conservatively. Interviews in Romania are extremely formal occasions.
• Arrive before the interview starts.
• Bring your CV, business card, and copies of the certificates or other requested documentation.
• Ask relevant questions.
• Thank the interviewer for their time.

Work Contracts in Romania

Employment contracts are mandatory in Romania. The contract must be in writing, should identify the employer and the employee, and include the title of the position, the description of the responsibilities, the duration of the contract and commencement date, salary, benefits as well as other details required by law.

It is common to have a trial period at a new job. The length and requirements of this period are specified in the contract. The contract should be signed by the employer and the employee and registered with the Local Labor Inspectorate.

Temporary Job Agencies in Bucharest

Short term work can be found with temporary agencies. At times, short term work can lead to a permanent contract. For finding short term opportunities you may contact the following agencies:

• Adecco
• Manpower
• Lugera & Makler