Where and How
to Find Work in Italy

Finding a Job Tips and Employment Opportunities

When you are planning on living in Italy finding a job becomes one of the most important tasks unless you have already a passive income somewhere or a good amount of money saved not to bother about things like that.

In the middle of the world economic crisis finding work in Italy can become extremely difficult because this country got hit heavily by the crisis and unemployment rate is sky high at the moment (written in September 2012).

I live in Livorno, Tuscany, Italy for 7 years now and never before I have seen or heard about so many local people looking for work. Many small companies went bankrupt, restaurants and bars have closed the activity. Many local people are looking for work just as the foreigners who are only planning to live and work in Italy.

Our website also regularly receives questions from our visitors from America, Australia, Canada, UK about how and where to find jobs in Italy, what professions are the most requested, which jobs are available for English speakers and so on.

With this article I would like to give my insider advice to all of our visitors who are planning to live and work abroad in Italy considering the current world economic crisis.

Where and How to Find Work in Italy?

First of all, if you don't already have financial stability and are counting on finding a job as your only source of income I would recommend to first find a job before you move over here. As I said above there are many local people with good skills and fluent Italian who are also looking for work. The chances are that it may take you several months before you find any job at all.

Study well the jobs demand by the region, check where your profession and specialization is the most popular and requested. Start with sending your CV to that area.

Begin with learning Italian in the meantime. There are, of course, jobs also for English speakers in Italy but do not limit yourself with those. Your chances to find work are much greater when you speak at least basic Italian. Here you can find an overview of the software available to help you learn the language fast.

Make sure you've got the requisites for obtaining Italy work visa. There are large companies specialized on work permits and other official papers you may need for working in Italy.

Another interesting fact you should know is that currently this country offers very little employment opportunities for highly qualified personnel under 40 years old. Sadly, Italy is facing lack of necessary qualification in young generation and also lack of trust from employers to young people under 40. Keep that in mind when you are looking for manager's positions.

Top positions in Italy currently occupied by young people are secretary / office jobs, sales people, restaurants / catering and technical engineering on the production.

Most Wanted Jobs in Italy

Now let's take a look at the recent statistics of the most popular and requested jobs in Italy where employers are having hard times to find qualified personnel. These employment opportunities could be yours!

Industry:

PLC / CNC Programmer
Electromechanical maintainer
Mechanical and Electronic Designer / Engineer
Welder, lathe operator, miller

Administration:

Controller
IT Project Manager
Administrative / Accounting
Administration Import / Export

Sales:

Area and Export manager
Sales manager
Commercial agent
Technical commercial
Store manager

Below you will find Italy employment opportunities map by the region created by ManpowerGroup. Click on the image to enlarge.

When it's sunny - the job is requested but the personnel is easy to find, cloudy - requested but difficult to find, rainy - very difficult to find. Select the region you want to live in Italy and see your employment forecast.