Popular tourist destinations such as Warsaw, Krakow, and Wroclaw are hotspots for graduate employment; there will be plenty to explore on your days off. However, as well as the famous marketplaces and old towns, you won’t want to miss Poland’s vast selection of forests, lakes, and mountains.
You’ll also enjoy a lower cost of living than most European countries, have the chance to learn a new language, and, thanks to Poland’s central location, experience the mix of the western and eastern European cultures.
Jobs in Poland
There are plenty of jobs available for foreigners. Considering Poland as a work destination, it’s become one of the largest business process outsourcing/shared services centers (BPO/SSCs) in Europe.
Although most of the country’s workforce is in the services sector, other industries include beverages, chemicals, coal mining, food processing, iron and steel, glass, machine building, shipbuilding, and textiles.
There are several multinationals based in Poland as well as prominent local companies, including:
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- Agora SA
- Asseco Group
- Diebold Nixdorf
- FCA Group
- GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) Poland
- LOT Polish Airlines
- Nordea Group
- Orange Polska
- PKN Orlen
- PKO Bank Polski
- Poznan Volkswagen
- RBS Poland
- T-Mobile Polska
- Toyota Motor Poland.
For a helpful guide to the Polish labor market and multinational companies based in Poland.
In addition to large businesses in Poland, the country is home to some successful start-ups – for example, Live Chat, Brand24, Estimote, and Brainly.
Skills shortages
The following graduate industries are suffering shortages:
- engineering – civil, chemical, electrical, and mechanical
- sales – sales representatives
- accounting and finance – accountants, auditors, financial analysts
- IT – cyber security experts, network administrators, technical support.
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How to get a job in Poland
Most workers apply for jobs from their home country, typically through a jobs portal. Alternatively, you could find work through a multinational company with offices in Poland.
As well as private recruitment agencies, those arriving from EU member states or the European Economic Area (EEA) can use the services provided by Polish district labor offices for help with getting a job.
An easy way to job hunt from home is to use social media to search for opportunities – jobs are advertised on Golden Line, Poland’s LinkedIn equivalent.
The European Job Mobility Portal (EURES) is another place for job seekers to find work in Poland.
Like the UK, if you’d like to work for a particular organization, you could send them a speculative application directly using a CV and cover letter. However, most employers expect applications to be written in the Polish language unless it’s stated that English is acceptable.
You’ll also need to add a protection clause to the end of your CV, which permits employers to process your data. The clause is as follows:
- Wyrażam zgodę na przetwarzanie moich danych osobowych dla potrzeb niezbędnych do realizacji procesu rekrutacji (zgodnie z Ustawą z dnia 29.08.1997 roku o Ochronie Danych Osobowych; (tekst jednolity: Dz.U. z 2015r., poz. 2135).
If you’re applying English, the clause translates to:
- I hereby give consent for my personal data included in my application to be processed for the purposes of the recruitment process under the Personal Data Protection Act as of 29 August 1997, consolidated text: Journal of Laws 2015, item 2135 as amended.
Should you be invited for an interview, if you’re from a non-EU country, it’s essential to check whether you’ll first need a visa from your local Polish embassy before booking your travel.
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Summer jobs
During the busy summer season, you’ll be able to find casual work in hotels, restaurants, bars, and large companies. Check the job sites above for vacancies with the latter, apply speculatively, or inquire in person if you’re already in the country.
Teaching jobs
Since joining the EU in 2004, the demand for Polish workers to grasp the EU’s international business language is more important than ever. Therefore, teaching English as a foreign language is one of the most accessible jobs for native English speakers living in Poland. Teaching positions are available in various settings, such as state schools, private language schools, language camps, or private tutors.
You’ll need a good bachelor’s degree and a teaching license to be considered for these roles, which typically last for one year. They’re usually advertised in January and the summer months (June to August).
Internships
Securing an internship could give your CV a boost while gaining valuable work experience and allowing you to sample life in another country. With this experience, you’ll be a favorable candidate when looking for graduate jobs.
Several global businesses have a presence in Poland. You can visit individual websites to find opportunities or try the theoretical approach and contact companies directly to enquire.
It’s not unheard of for internships in Poland to be offered with paid-for accommodation as compensation, rather than a full salary. Paid positions are likely to offer close to the Polish minimum wage, 2,600ZL (£588).
Polish visas
If you’re a citizen of a country within the European Union (EU), you can move to Poland and begin your hunt for work immediately, without a work permit. However, as you’ll likely be working for more than three months, you’ll need to obtain a temporary residence permit, which lasts for three years. This can be arranged at your nearest Voivodeship Office.
EU nationals may also be entitled to have certain types of health and social security coverage transferred to the country where they go to seek work. For country-specific information, see the European Commission.
To qualify for a work permit, non-EU workers, such as those from the UK, will usually need an official employment offer from a Polish company.
For the most up-to-date visa information relating to UK nationals, see the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London.
Language requirements
As Polish is the country’s national language and spoken by the majority of the population, proficiency is likely a prerequisite for many jobs.
However, the country has one of the highest rates of English as a second language in the world, particularly among younger generations. There are plenty of English-speaking opportunities in the business world.
Not understanding Polish can be a barrier to communication, especially with the older generation, so aim to have at least some understanding before you arrive. Polish language courses are held across the UK, while many websites exist to help you learn a language or improve your skills. Pick up essential words and phrases at BBC Languages – Polish and Study in Poland – Polish language.
How to explain your qualifications to employers
Poland is a member of the Bologna process and part of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), so you should find that your UK qualifications are comparable to their Polish equivalent and will therefore be fully recognized by employers. For further details on comparisons with Polish qualifications, see Go! Poland – Recognition of degrees.
However, you can search the list of professions with specific requirements if it’s necessary to get your qualifications evaluated – for example, to work in a regulated profession in Poland.
What it’s like to work in Poland?
Annual leave in Polish companies typically stands at 20 days per year. While regular office hours are typical, 8 am-4 pm, working past 5 pm is sometimes expected. You may also have to work 8 am-2 pm on Saturdays in some roles.
While hierarchal structures in businesses still exist, the authoritarian corporate culture is beginning to give way to more open dialogue between managers and staff. Poles are usually very open, friendly, and tolerant, but the savvy business dress is the norm and meetings can be formal, direct, and professional, and punctuality is taken very seriously.
In the office, be prepared to address people by their professional title and family name rather than their first name – and avoid shaking hands in a doorway, as locals might consider this to bring bad luck.
According to Numbeo.com, the cost of living in Poland is 40% lower than in the UK – rent is also cheaper on average, by around 50% – although wages are typically lower.
Social media is a great tool for finding like-minded people when moving to a new country – groups such as Krakow Expats and Expats in Warsaw will help you settle in.
