Job opportunities in poland for a foreigner? (other than a teacher)

hi all

im thinking of relocating to poland from the u.k to be with my girlfriend...but the ever present problem of work is looming.what are the chances of me just moving there and finding a job.i have looked into native speaking but if i can would rather do somthing else.i really dont see myself as a teacher.she lives in opole but would consider moving somwhere else but not too far from opole.

thanks in advance for any advice.

It depends what parts of Poland you're going to move to. The Eastern parts are "poorer" than the central and Western part; as a result, the jobs are scarse and low-paid. If you are a foreigner I would suggest to move to one of the biggest cities in Poland (in Warsaw there's only 4% unemployment rate so you shouldn't have a problem finding a job there). Teachers in Poland aren't doing that bad -- there is demand for learning the English language (especially with a private English tutor).

Opole is near Wroclaw (I think about 30-40 km) and Wroclaw is one of the biggest Polish cities with many job opportunities.

Mickus. Can you speak PL? This will be very helpful.

unffortunatley i dont speak polish is it really that hard to find a job in poland?? without resorting to the teaching option?

I'm sure you can find one, but communication is key Maybe an international company based in PL would be ok. What city are you moving to?

anywhere close to opole...ive thought about international companys based in pl...but had no luck.

Maco, I'm interested in your comment about "private english tutors" - what would one earn per hour, do you have any idea? Zloty/AUD....many thanks.

Hi just thought I would add some info here, I'm English and have been living here for 6 years married to a polish girl. The first 2 years are a pain trying to get used to the Polish way of life, but after that it gets easier. I work as a teacher here, but that is only 30% of my work here. One good income option that I found is to work as a proofreader for a translation agency; and it has become so successful that now, that I have opened my own freelance business, dealing with companies, translation agencies, and such like. I also have conversation lessons, which you can charge 40zl to 80zl per hour, GB £9 T0 £13. If anyone would like any info then you can e-mail me at ukpolska@yahoo.co.uk

thanks for your post upolski...its given me somthing to think about..where abouts in poland are you based?

Don't be fooled by ukpolska's comment of 80zl per hour. You need a very good reputation to earn that and possibly a business deal with a company. Or maybe if you work in Warsaw.

I'm from Opole (well, from a nearby village), and all I can say to you that it was the main reason for me to move out of there - local government are bunch of ars*holes who don't do anything to attract investors, they only occupy their own tenures and don't give a sh*t about the people. You won't find a job there, mate, unless you're some hi-tech engineer (e.g. IT) or a manager or someone else of that sort. All interesting vacancies are taken by 'acquintatives' of those who can tip them off, and very few people from 'the outside' are given good jobs, let alone foreigners. I think that only way for you there to get a job is working as a native speaker (there are several language schools in Opole). Sad but true.

You mentioned IT jobs in Poland. I am cuious if you know what the starting wages are like. I'm a graduate with an Associates degree in Network and Telecommunications and onto getting a Bachelor degree. Here in the US starting wages are roughly around $18.00- $24.00 hour.

I would say 18-24 ZLOTYCH ($6-$7).

There are IT jobs in the Wroclaw area. I have no details, sorry. It's not my line of work.

From my experience 15zl an hour is max for conversation lessions.

My close friend takes more for individual polish lessons.

In Poznań I saw an ad saying that an English native speaker was going to take 45 zł/h. Don’t know how good is that guy doing, though.

I don't know exactly how much you can earn in Poland, it depends on your location (best pay is in Warsaw and large western and southern cities, perhaps Poznan, Wroclaw, Upper Silesia Agglomeration, Cracow), monthly salary can vary between, say, 2000-5000 ZLP. Its a payment for graduates, if you have more experience you can earn up to about 11,000 or even more.
These are good and very good salaries in Poland, and it's rather pointless to compare them with American or British ones, for living expenses are entirely different.

Well all of the English native speakers that I know charge a mimimum of 50zl, I charge 40zl.

And by the way, I'm in Pulawy near Lublin and it is the standard cost for a native here. I have never heard of anyone charging 15zl lol, even Polish teachers that I work with charge a min of 35zl, it depends on what you do.

I agree with ukpolska, i'm Australian living in Wroclaw, and i can tell you 50zl per one on one lesson is the going rate, its more if you have a TESOL or UNI degree. And I pay 30zl per hour for Polish lesson's. Thats with a qualified teacher here to.

mickus999,

Hi, contact me on avesh@mdevs.co.uk

I have am working with alot of polish companies, I can assist in finding you something to do.

Ur biggest positive is ur english.....it will take you further than you think...

Thanks so much "ukpolska" for your reply and sharing your knowledge of the local market for English teaching, editing translations ect. I was in Gdnask / Gdynia visiting a Polish woman I'd met in the Nepal Himalayas trekking and was asked by her company in the special event organizing industry to do a little voice work. They asked me if I wanted something but I offered to do it for free. Unfortunately, my friend didn't share my strong attraction and affections for her during the short time I was there so we continue to communicate but I have my doubts about moving to Poland.

am form Cameroon and about to travel to Poland.I really can talk English so well.Will there be opportunities for to have a job if i Travel to Poland.

id say your chances are pretty slim..unless you speak polish or are very skilled.

Can anyone advised me about employment opportunities in business? I have degree in finance and economics and I speak Polish. Most of my experience is in the investments area.

I would say that most depends on the "quality" of your experience.

Your answer is obvious. I wanted an idea of employment opportunities for an economics or a finance degree holder.

Without detailes provided I must say that they are... unlimited.

how much could a person make if they were to be a teacher in Poland? I can speak polish very well, and i am learning to read and write. Would that be the best job choice for an american?

teacher which I know charges 80 zl . and he doesnt complain about not having work