Step Step-by-Step Guide To Apply For Jobs In Austria
You are willing to take your career to the next level in the Alps which are breathtaking and the high quality of life that Austria provides? The problem of finding the job in this economic giant is, that it needs accuracy and cultural understanding as well as approach to strategy, especially when a foreigner is involved. This is a final, search engine-optimized guide, which will not only break down the whole process, in search of the right vacancy, it will also make sure that you succeed your job application in Austria by passing the interview.
Preliminary Job Search and Selection (The Where and What)
The initial phase of your Austrian career path would be to understand where to search and how to address the appropriate positions. Although English speaking positions are available, it is important to show an attempt to learn German, which gives you a significant increase of being employed, which is a sign of being committed to the Arbeitskultur (work culture).1
Finding Open Positions
Use both general and official job sites to reach as many people as possible:
- Official Channels: Austria has the Public Employment Service (AMS) which provides a detailed eJob-Room with a wide range of vacancies.2
- Austrian Job Portals (Jobbörsen Oesterreich): Such websites as karriere.at, StepStone Austria, and willhaben are obligatory.3
- Niche Opportunities: Tourism Seasonal Work ( Saisonarbeit / Saisonstelle ) outside of the big cities is a good place to start, frequently has Accommodation Included ( Unterkunft Inklusive / Logis ) as a filter, an excellent place to start, particularly with No Experience Jobs ( Einsteiger Jobs / Ohne Erfahrung ).
Decoding the Job Ad
In the ads of job opportunities in Austria, a lot of important information is legal and financial:
- Mandatory Salary: (Kollektivvertrag): In Austria, all job advertisements must specify the lowest gross salary according to a Kollektivvertrag (collective agreement). This offers clear salary data.
- Hint: Subscribe to a Job Alert (Job-Agent) on the portals of your choice to be notified instantly whenever there is a new vacancy that fits your expertise.
Application Documents (The “How to Apply”)
The Austrian application process is formalized and it places a lot of emphasis on the thoroughness. Your paperwork should be formatted to the Austrian style, which is not the same as the US or the UK one.
Composing the Cover Letter
The Cover Letter (Bewerbungsschreiben), or Letter of Motivation (Motivationsschreiben) has to be precise and formal.5
- Structure: Keep it to one page. State the post you are applying to and where the advertisement was.
- Content: Discuss your pertinent qualifications and how they can fit the needs of the company.6, Why would you like to work in Austria and in that particular company. Avoid generic templates.
- Language: In case the advert is in German then apply in German. When you apply to an English Speaking Job, then a German application is not bad, however, demonstration of German proficiency (even A1 or A2) is a tremendous bonus.
Visa and Work Permit (The “Legal Requirements”)
In the case of non-EU/EEA nationals, a work and residence permit is an essential measure that, in most cases, starts to be initiated when you get a job offer.7 The Austrian system is point-based.8
Red-White-Red Card ( Rot -Weiss-Rot-Kate )
The main work and Residence Permit (Enthusiastically) of qualified third-country nationals is the Red-White-Red Card (Rot-Weiss-Rot-Kate).9 Eligibility depends on a points system that is dependent on:
- Qualification: Vocational training and level of education.
- Work Experience: Work experience particularly in Austria.
- Language Skills: A1, A2, B1 in German, or/and English.
- Age: The younger applicants are given more points.
FAQs
Should I speak German in order to be employed in Austria?
Although there are a lot of multinational companies that have English Speaking Jobs, it will certainly help you to have a better chance with at least A1 or A2 of German speaking, as well as to respect the culture and may be mandatory as per the Red-White-Red Card points system.17
What is Kolle ktivvertrag (Mandatory Salary)?
A College overtrain is a collective agreement that determines the minimum conditions of paying and working hours of employees in a particular field as obligatory. The minimum is a legally binding wage, thus giving the employer a high level of wage transparency.
What is the duration of Red-White-Red Card?
The processing time of Red-White-Red Card may vary and depends on the category of the applicant and the authority that processes the application, normally it takes between 4 to 12 weeks after the submission of the full application.
Does Austria accept foreign degrees and certificates?
Yes, but in some regulated professions (such as medicine or teaching), the official attestation of qualifications is mandatory.18 In non-regulated professions, it may be sufficient to translate and have the translation notarized, although a Certified Translation (Beglaubigte Übersetzung) may be needed in the visa procedure.
Am I supposed to put a picture on my resume?
Yes. It is a custom in Austria to include high quality and recent professional photo on your Lebenslauf and is anticipated by the majority of employers.19
Final Thought
The economy of Austria is very organized, stable and high waged making it an amazing place where professionals can find employment. The trick of the successful application to a job in this case is to be attentive, formal in your paperwork and clear of the legalities such as the Red-White-Red Card. Be formal, prove yourself and be ready to have a rewarding career in middle of Europe.
Disclaimer
This employment data is disseminated solely in terms of education and information. The visa and work permit requirements and the regulations on the Kollektivvertrag are prone to change. Before applying or coming to any final decision, please ensure that all the existing information and especially the Red-White-Red Card and any other legal requirements are checked with the official employer or government webpage (the AMS or the Ministry).