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Working in Turkey
The majority of ex-pats who relocate to Turkey do so for the sun and great retirement opportunities. Thousands of ex-pats work in Turkey, and many more are attempting to migrate to take advantage of job possibilities. Turkey’s restrictive approach to providing work licenses has long been a stumbling block for foreign nationals. Because of the country’s high unemployment rate, the government is still cautious to award too many of these valued pieces of paperwork, despite improvements in bureaucracy.
It’s a challenging task to make a fresh start overseas and much more difficult even to find work that will support you in a nation where one doesn’t know its cultural values and its vocabulary. Being a bridge from East to West with unbelievable archaeological and cultural beauty, Turkey is a hot area for ex-pats who would like to experience going and immediately beginning a new life in a different country.
The job market in Turkey
Those who have been fortunate enough to be transported to Turkey by a company prepared to sponsor their employment contract will find the Turkish workforce to be hardworking and devoted, with few reservations about working late if necessary. Turkey’s economy continues to expand at a steady pace. It has been praised for its intricate blend of modern industry and commerce, as well as a traditional agricultural economy.
Expats with a sufficient skillset and a bit of determination can still find work in Turkey. In the more expat-friendly metropolis of Istanbul, foreigners are most likely to find jobs in tourism, education, real estate, and banking. Engineering, information technology, human resources, design, business, marketing, and sales positions are also available in this big metropolis, though these positions are more uncommon.
Expats who want to teach English in Turkey have a lot of options. Many universities just demand a bachelor’s degree and no formal teaching training, however possessing the relevant credentials can help you be hired. These jobs pay well, but ex-pats who want to raise a family will require a higher salary. Nonetheless, foreigners are banned from working in some professions in Turkey, and ex-pats are not allowed to work in certain fields. Foreigners are not permitted to work in the mining sector, as executive directors of travel companies, or in some professional occupations like pharmacists, nurses, or dentists.
Finding a job in Turkey
Expats should look for jobs before arriving in Turkey since companies must apply for work permits on their behalf. Searching online job boards and contacting recruiting agencies are two important ways to find work in Turkey. Many international firms do business in Turkey, and some of them may post job openings on their websites.
Work culture in Turkey
In general, Turks are welcoming to foreign employees. This is great for ex-pats because doing business in Turkey can be quite personal. Turks tend to build connections slowly and want to do business with people they can trust. Turkish business culture is also known for its tenacity, so newcomers should prepare to work longer hours than they are accustomed to. In Turkey, business is structured hierarchically. Senior officials are held in high regard, and their actions are rarely questioned in public.
Expats should also keep in mind that, while Turkey is a secular state, Islam is the main religion, which influences corporate culture. Respecting religious customs and how they may affect office hours and behaviors can go a long way in supporting ex-pats in gaining the confidence and respect of their Turkish colleagues, as well as assisting them in adjusting to the Turkish working environment.
Could You Find A Job Without Learning Turkish in Turkey?
It’s indeed possible to get by without knowing Turkish if you stay at one of the hotels where numerous locals speak English. In reality, many ex-pats find that when they try to speak in English, they are greeted with Turkish friends and colleagues who wish to converse in English since they are also learning a new language. Many ex-pats engage a management firm or have formed strong relationships with local individuals who interpret for them in the case of government departments or public relations. When an ex-pat is considering working in Turkey, knowing the local language, Turkish, is very helpful.
So How Can Turkish Be Learned Best?
The local council has set up free Turkish courses for those who want to learn Turkish in several cities where ex-pats have taken part in a community. Books are written freely, and the vocabulary and grammar are assisted by an instructor. You can get the dates and details from the local council. Another trick many expatriates use is to learn a word every day. Although it may not seem productive, they learned 365 words at the end of one year. Repetition is an essential part of the equation, so the word repeat allows the brain to maintain it throughout the day.
Ex-pats can also join groups in social media such as; Facebook, and practice Turkish with other ex-pats. Also, when you are working in Turkey, you’ll be constantly exposed to the Turkish language, thus you’ll learn Turkish fast.
Is Turkish Knowledge A Huge Advantage?
Yes, certainly. Not just at work, but in their everyday lives of course. At the very least, it generates an increased working atmosphere for the ex-pat to hold workshops, to consider what other people are thinking about, what they actually want you to register. It is, however, challenging setting up a new job and adapt to the climate, whether an ex-pat knows Turkish or otherwise. It’s never easy to migrate to a foreign country from start, but the toughest part is finding a career that is difficult but achievable with a little support.
Related Article: The Steps You Should Follow About Relocate To Turkey.
