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Romebuddy has lived a few years in Italy now, and during that time we've had to do a variety of different things to put bread on the table. Here then, and on the following pages is Romebuddy's distilled wisdom on working in Rome, and to some extent, employment customs in Italy in general:

words of caution
language
job-hunting leads
resume cv translation
italian business culture
contracts and employee's rights
teaching and tourism opportunities
the secret of happiness
legal immigration
salaries

some words of caution

First of all, you should only seriously consider moving to Italy to live and work if you are young (under thirty), unattached, resourceful, resilient, insured, have savings, are adequately qualified, experienced, can speak Italian at least as well as Yoda the Jedi can speak English, and are preferably proven successful in some specific field at home, or have a good university degree to your name already. These qualities will allow you to take damage in Italy, yet recover and return home safely if things don't work out, and still have time to resume a 'normal' life and career at home again.

The idea of having 'nothing to lose' is a falsehood. If you do not meet the above criteria, there is a lot to lose. Don't burn your bridges back home until you're sure you have a firm job offer and a viable income and standard of living lined up, and even then, be careful before you commit yourself. Think it over well and plan very carefully.

Secondly, you will usually have to actually come to Italy first to find a job here. Unless you're an absolutely top professional aiming for absolutely top jobs, or are being placed here anyway by an international company or agency you already work for, you'll just have to take the risk, spend some money and take an extended leave here in Italy in order to find something. Job leads and accurate local business information is very hard to come by if you're not actually based in Italy. Unless you are very well connected, you can’t do it by remote control from across the ocean, or just by writing letters.

I even know of Italians who lived abroad for some years and then wanted to relocate back to Italy, but to successfully find a job here, they just had to bite the bullet, take an extended holiday, and move here bodily in order to search for jobs properly.

Thirdly, a lot of the expatriates here in Rome are all pretty much chasing the same jobs. Whenever I attend some party or function where other expats are sure to gather, I usually meet at least one other person who is doing a job here that I also applied for, or that I have already done at some time or other. The expatriate community in any country is a very small world. Herein lies another tip – Be careful of gossip, work hard, and always be on your best behaviour, because bad, as well as good reputations soon get around this narrow job market of bi-lingual expatriates very quickly. A bit like actors in Hollywood, expatriates usually tend to all turn up at the same parties.

language

For most good jobs here you will need to be able to speak Italian like a native, if only to get through the interview, though if you are bilingual Italian/English with only moderate Italian capability you may have a good chance at lower-grade jobs, or in some companies that have an international outlook. So learn some Italian if you haven't already. Even just a little would be something.

It’s true that being bi-lingual is obviously your ace card, however, don't be afraid to go after Italian-speaking-only-jobs. Italians are very friendly, and will help you with their language, if you show willing. Come towards them and they will come towards you. Similarly, don't restrict yourself by only visualising yourself in some cosy expat’s bilingual job. The cosy jobs are all taken.

If you can already speak Italian well, that is almost certain to get you a foot in the door if you are determined enough. Once safely in an Italian job, you can slowly work the grapevine of bilingual jobs here, which is where the bigger money tends to be.

You could just stick to seeking work with companies here that specifically hire English-speaking employees. In theory, there are loads of them here, international companies etc. A list would be endless. But it's a poor strategy, and the problem is finding them, and then finding one which actually wanted to hire an English speaking employee at the particular moment of your arrival.

There are many British and American companies based here, but usually they only employ a tiny percentage of actual English-speaking staff. To find such a position, you would really have to get to Italy first, and then go through the local Italian telephone directory with a fine-tooth comb, picking out all the British and American companies you've heard of, or names that sound Brit or American, then phone or mail them all with your CV to ask if they actually use English speaking staff.

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