Candidate guides to working in Europe
Getting the job is one part of it. Having your documents ready before they are asked for, understanding what you have agreed to, and knowing what the first month looks like are the parts nobody explains. This is that.
- Five languages supported
- Eight European destinations
- Written for first-time movers
Get these in order early
Six things worth sorting before an employer asks for them. Every one of them can hold up a placement that is otherwise agreed.
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A passport with time left on it
Check the expiry date before you apply, not after. Renewing one mid-process is the most common avoidable delay there is.
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Certificates, with their issuing body
Licences and trade certificates are verified. Keep copies, and note who issued each one and when.
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An honest language level
Language is checked at screening. A level you can actually hold a conversation at helps you; one you cannot costs you the placement.
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Dates you can genuinely travel
Employers hire against a start date. Saying yes to one you cannot meet is worse than naming a later one.
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Contact details that reach you
Shortlists move quickly. A number and an email you check daily matter more than they sound.
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A view on where you will go
Being open to more than one of the eight destinations widens the briefs you can be matched against.
The first weeks after arrival
The part of a placement least often described in advance. Knowing roughly what to expect makes the difference between a difficult first fortnight and a straightforward one.
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Know what you signed
Your contract states the role, the term, the hours and the pay. Keep a copy and read it before you travel, not after.
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The site runs in one language
Instructions and safety briefings come in it. Asking someone to repeat something is always better than guessing.
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The pace is set by the season
On seasonal work the first week is usually the busiest, not the gentlest. Early starts and long days are normal at peak.
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You still have a point of contact
Support continues after you start work. If something about the placement is not as described, say so early.
Looking for work in Europe?
Send your CV once — it is considered for roles across every sector and destination we recruit for.