Immigration. Travel. Living.

Working in Turkey as an expat

Located between Europe and Asia, Turkey is a country with a rich cultural history. Many people travel to this area because it is home to aesthetically pleasing buildings, breathtaking national parks, and other attractions. Historic attractions in this country, which was heavily affected by the Ottoman Empire, include the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul and the Greek and Roman ruins of Ephesus which now border the town of Selรงuk. Maramis, Antalya, and Alanya are just a few of the well-known beach resorts available to visitors.

Flag and street view of Turkey

Gaining a job in Turkey as an expat

Although Turkey’s economy has slowed in recent years, it is still expected to expand by 5.7% in 2021. Issues in filling essential tasks with skilled foreign workers stem from a lack of available labor, a shortage of expertise, and stringent employment regulations.

Due to government restrictions on recruiting, foreign workers here will find it difficult to enter some professions, including the legal, medical, and mining industries.

You’re in luck if you want to work in the tourism industry or teach English as a foreign language, both of which have a high demand for foreign workers who are fluent in English. Although fluency in Turkish is not required, you should be able to communicate well in the language in order to do well in your position. Although the cost of living is far lower than in the United Kingdom, most graduate-level earnings only cover the barest essentials.

Because of its strategic position linking Europe and Asia, Turkey is often seen as a stepping stone for British nationals interested in expanding their horizons in the commercial world. Large British corporations including Marks & Spencer, HSBC, Vodafone, and BP are hiring recent graduates here.

There are a lot of people out of work in a country with 84.34 million people (August 2021). The construction and agricultural industries, on the other hand, both recorded increases in employment here.  In 2020, it is expected that exports of vehicles and vehicle parts will bring in around ยฃ 15.4 billion.

Employment rate

Turkey now has a relatively high unemployment rate, hovering about 10%. Foreigners contemplating a career here should be aware that openings are scarce. There is a dearth of suitably skilled local workers in some industries, but it’s not impossible. Personal connections are highly valued in the Turkish business community. As an expat in Turkey, you’ll quickly learn that things move at a snail’s pace. Pressure is useless here, unlike in other countries. Instead, perseverance and interpersonal skills will get you far in business dealings in Turkey.

Which career path is right for you

There are many job openings for those who meet the requirements in Turkey, despite the country’s high unemployment rate. You may be able to obtain work in the following industries if you are not posted to Turkey as a diplomat or on an intra-company transfer:

  • Translation for management.
  • Technological engineering and programming in electronics and control technologies.
  • Computer software.
  • Hospital and restaurant management in the tourism industry. 
  • Healthcare and related fields.

A huge job search

It can be intimidating to begin your job search when you arrive with little more than an idea that you want to work there. However, the Turkish employment agency may be able to help you obtain a job through their local branches. Their offices can be found in the major urban centers of all 81 states. However, they often only accept applicants with proficient Turkish capabilities, so brush up on your language abilities before moving to Turkey.

Search engines and newspapers are also excellent options. Websites like Jobs in Turkey list employment opportunities for English-speaking ex-pats in Turkey in newspapers like Hรผrriyet, Milliyet, and Sabah on weekends.

Due to the importance placed on personal relationships in business, networking is also significant in Turkey. Get in touch with other ex-pats to get advice on how to approach the job hunt in your host country.

Independent employment consultants

Instead of looking for work on your own, you might use an employment agency. In Turkey, most private agencies focus on placing candidates in managerial or executive roles. The classified ads sections of local newspapers will typically list the contact information for such organizations. Before signing up with an agency, make sure you understand the fees and how they operate. You might also begin looking for work prior to boarding the airline. There is a chance that Turkish employment firms will advertise openings in local media. You might learn more about finding work in this country from these.

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