Unsurprisingly, Rome is one of the most popular destinations in Italy, especially for expatriates. Its culture, historical heritage, world-class cuisine, and attractive climate make the city a unique destination in the world and it's no wonder expats flock to Rome. Whether your plan is to move there temporarily or to live there permanently, you will undoubtedly need to work in the Eternal City. In this article, we will try to give you some key tips for finding job in Rome.
Although Italy is the eighth largest economy in the world, it has been hit hard by the global financial crisis of recent years, including the crisis arising from Covid and the war in Ukraine; Italy being a country heavily dependent on Russian gas (20% of its primary energy consumption). Cities such as Milan and Rome have been strongly impacted by this context. Nevertheless, the level of employment is slowly recovering. While it may be more difficult to find work in Rome today than in previous decades, nothing is impossible!
Economic context in Italy
Currently, unemployment figures account for 8.3% of the general population, and 24.5% of the unemployed are young people (March 2022 figures / ISTAT), which means that the competition for a job is fierce. In Rome, the unemployment rate is 10% which is higher than the national average and Milan's 6.5%, compared to 5.7% in Paris in December 2022 (INSEE). In addition, the recent energy crisis is adding to the Italian economic context, as it is also the case in the rest of Europe. However, economic activities in the Lazio region have grown by 5.8% (November 2022) compared to 2021, which according to the Bank of Italy, allows the region to be repositioned to its pre-Covid level. The tourism, construction and export sectors lead this development.
Sectors that recruit in Rome
Milan being the Italian economic capital, it is often advisable to move there for a successful expatriation. The labor market in Milan is more dynamic, and conditions are often better. However, Rome is one of the largest financial and commercial centers in Italy, and there are many jobs in the service sector, such as finance, real estate, hotels, restaurants and cafés, business consultancy and tourism.
The city is home to a number of multinational companies, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). There are also many embassies and consulates in Rome, as well as commercial detachments linked to these institutions.
The headquarters of Enel, the country's main electricity producer, is also based in Rome. Although there has been a recent migration of some companies to Milan, major companies such as Deloitte, Accenture, BNL, KPMG, CapGemini and Unilever are also present in the Eternal City and recruit Italians and expatriates.
As a tourist destination, Rome has a high demand for staff in the restaurant, tourism and hotel industries. The choice is vast, especially for bilingual people who are fluent in other languages such as French, English, Japanese, Arabic or Russian. The historic center, especially the Spanish Square area, is full of luxury clothing, design and cosmetics shops, and there is a high demand for staff with a good command of several languages.
Many agencies are also looking for tour guides. While some are already full, it is useful to contact several of them to get on their waiting list. Today, it is even common for independent travel planners to start up their own businesses and offer personalized solutions to tourists. However, you will need to have a thorough knowledge of the city and its history and a tourist guide's license. Major travel companies such as Booking.com and Expedia are also based in Rome and are frequently looking for staff.
In recent years, agencies and companies specializing in digital marketing have sprung up and are frequently looking for multilingual staff, as are call centers, some of which are based in and around Rome, so don't hesitate to approach them and send in your application!
As in other major Italian cities, teaching English and French as foreign languages is particularly popular in Rome. There are many advantages to speaking more than one language here, regardless of your background or profession. You can find teaching vacancies with private and public language schools on websites such as TEFL. You can also use the ESL database to find lists of language schools based in Rome and contact them directly. The British Council also offers the opportunity to move to Rome as part of their language support programs. In addition, many families are looking for home-based teachers for their children, especially for evening classes.
Finding a job in Rome
If you are planning to move to Rome, start looking for a job before you arrive. LinkedIn is a good place to start, besides other popular websites such as Indeed, Monster, Glassdoor, Infojobs, Lavorare.net, and Clicca Lavoro. Specific websites for jobs in Rome, such as Wanted in Rome and Job in Rome, also have vacancies, although the latter is only for people who speak perfect English.
Locally, you can register with recruitment agencies such as Porta Futuro, Gi Group, Randstad, and Adecco.
EURES - European Employment Mobility Portal is another useful search tool for information on job vacancies, market overviews and working conditions in Italy. The site also provides a useful CV posting service for job seekers.
That being said, everyone will tell you that networking is an excellent way to find work in Italy. Indeed, it is said that 70% of jobs are found through networking. Networking groups such as the American Business Group Milan and Rome, or PonteVia (a French-speaking network), are an excellent starting point and simple contacts can sometimes turn into collaborators. Let's not forget Expat.com's Italy forum or its jobs section.
Important:
The language barrier is often a problem at the beginning. It is important to have a good command of Italian for a successful move to Rome. In fact, English is less widely spoken in Rome than in Milan. In addition, some expatriates wishing to work in Rome will need to present a valid passport or identity card as well as a Permesso di Lavoro (for more information on this subject, see our article entitled "The long-stay visa in Italy"). Note that if you are a citizen of a European Union country, you will not need to apply for a work visa for Italy.
CV, application and interview in Rome
In order to apply for a job in Rome, as anywhere in Italy, you will need to provide a CV and a cover letter - lettera di presentazione - in Italian. The latter is sometimes indicated as optional in job advertisements, but it is advisable to provide one as it is generally appreciated in Italy, especially in Rome. Explain why you are interested in the job and the company and what you can bring as an employee. Emphasize your experience, the languages you speak and what makes you different from other potential candidates. Some international companies sometimes request a cover letter in English.
The application, whether spontaneous or not, is usually made on the Internet by e-mail or through the website that published the advertisement. If a potential employer is interested in your profile, they will contact you by phone and offer you an interview at the company or at the recruitment agency if you have applied through this channel.
You can provide your CV in Europass format, which is very popular. The date of birth must be indicated at the top of the document. You should also include your contact details, and your nationality, especially if you are from another EU country or from a third country, as some multinational companies have specific policies. Then describe your previous work experience, as this information is considered essential. Start with your most recent experience and end with your qualifications and skills.
Ideally, the Italian CV should not exceed two pages. Include the names of two referees and their contact details. Do not hesitate to include a photograph; this is usually appreciated.
Good to know:
Avoid using Google Translation to write your CV and/or cover letter in Italian. If you are not fluent in Italian, ask a translator or someone you know to help you.
Be sure to indicate your level of proficiency in Italian and other languages you speak according to the European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Procedure for applying for a job in Rome
The recruitment procedure in Rome varies considerably from sector to sector. Still, by definition, a job in the engineering, finance, or technology sectors, for example, usually requires three or four interviews and psychometric tests. You need to demonstrate your enthusiasm, communication and interpersonal skills during the interviews.
It is advisable to be well prepared and to provide letters of reference from previous employers if you have them. Also, part of the interview is reserved for one or two questions about your personal life (never anything indiscreet), so don't mistake it for curiosity. Employers tend to test potential candidates on their ability to answer certain questions naturally. In Rome, even more than in Milan, qualities related to verbal communication, sociability and flexibility are generally valued alongside the specific skills required for a job.
Where to find jobs in Rome
You can find jobs in Rome in different areas of the city. For everything related to tourism and luxury, of course you should look mainly in the historical centre, as everything is concentrated there.
For the other sectors, you will find companies in the EUR district, in the southern part of the city as far as Fiumicino, or in the Tecnopolo in the east. Many companies are also located in the Ostiense, Prati and Parioli districts.
It should be noted that some areas are not easily accessible and are served by little public transport, such as certain areas of the EUR. Tecnopolo is accessible via the B (blue) metro line.
Accommodation and work in Rome
Whatever your plans when moving to Rome, it is generally advisable to find accommodation close to your place of work. Rome has a moderately efficient public transport service. Also, if you choose your accommodation solely on the basis of your interest in a particular area, you may lose time in work commute.
However, if you find a job in the city centre, the rent for your accommodation can quickly escalate and the size of the accommodation will usually not be commensurate with the cost. There are usually 'bilocali' or at most 'trilocali', i.e., flats with two or three living rooms, respectively. This is why it is recommended to concentrate your search for accommodation near a metro station or to consider buying a car. In this regard, read our articles "Neighborhoods in Rome" and "Finding accommodation in Rome" to identify the type of area and accommodation that best suits you in your new professional life.
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