How to find a job abroad – 10 practical guides for students and graduates

The EURES portal lists close to 3 million vacancies from 31 European countries and is free to use. Add the public employment service of the country you are interested in, company career pages and online job days – and start with the jobs Europe is short of.

As a citizen of an EU country you can work anywhere in the EU – and in Iceland, Norway and Switzerland – without a work permit, on the same terms as local workers. You can stay for up to 6 months looking for a job and must register your residence after 3 months.

Studying in the EU on a student permit? EU law lets you work at least 15 hours a week during your studies and stay at least 9 months after graduation to look for a job or start a business. Then the EU Blue Card or a national work permit takes over.

Two pages at most, the newest experience first and adapted to each job. The free Europass profile lets you build a CV in 31 languages and send it straight to EURES. Whether to add a photo or your date of birth depends on the country.

Follow exactly the application procedure in the advert: CV and cover letter, an online form or a test. One page of cover letter, written for this employer, in the language of the advert – and keep a list of where you have applied.

Find out in advance how the interview will run, who will be there and whether there is a test or a presentation. Many first interviews with employers abroad now take place online. Prepare examples of what you did – most questions are about experience, skills and motivation.

Recruiters look you up online – often before they invite you. Keep your professional profile up to date and consistent with your CV, check what public posts say about you and use networks to follow employers and get in touch with people in your field.

For most jobs you need no formal recognition – the employer judges your diploma. In regulated professions, such as doctor, nurse, teacher or architect, you must get your qualification recognised first. The EU Regulated Professions Database shows where that applies.

Get the main terms of your job in writing within the first week, register your residence after 3 months and check where you pay tax and social contributions – normally in the country where you work. Your European Health Insurance Card does not replace local health insurance when you work there.

Summer and seasonal jobs, Erasmus+ traineeships (also for one year after graduation), the paid 5-month Blue Book traineeship at the European Commission and ALMA for young people out of work. Never pay to get a job – and where to turn for free help.