Like many other regions, as a result of the global crisis, the European Union has an increasing unemployment rate since March 2008. A report by Eurostat (the Statistical Office of the European Communities) indicates that the Netherlands (3.6%) and Austria (4.8%) have the lowest unemployment rate as of September 2009 among EU members.
The majority of residents in Austria speak German but English is the preferred language in the corporate world.
Working Permit
If you are not a European citizen or a Swiss or Liechtenstein national, you are required to have a work permit to work in Austria. Issuance of work permits has been declining in numbers as the immigration law of Austria has become more stringent.
Having a valid European passport gives you a free choice to work anywhere in Austria (and other European countries). Registration is needed three days upon arrival to local authorities to obtain a Meldezettel or a document of registration.
Expats need an Austrian employer to qualify for a work permit. If a foreign company employs you, they can sponsor you to visit an Austrian client. As a prerequisite, you must be a regular employee that has worked for at least six to twelve months for the company.
How to get a job in Austria
Work can easily be found in Austria's tourism industry. Being famous for its ski-resorts, the job market for this sector can be found outside the big cities. Most employment is contractual and for a limited time. Ski-resorts have a high demand for labor in winter and expats with excellent language skills are welcome. Most tourists visit Tyrol, Salzburg, Styria and Vienna.
Most companies post their job vacancies with the Austrian employment service (AMS) or Arbeitsmarktservice. Expats that are officially unemployed can register and submit their resume in the AMS system. For more information check their website: http://www.ams.or.at/
Of course, the easiest way to search for a job is to use the Internet. Most of the Austrian job-sites are in German so learning a little German can be to your advantage.
The traditional way of job hunting using classified ads is still widely practiced in Austria. The most popular newspapers are Der Standard, Die Presse, Kleine Zeitung and Kurier. You can also check their respective websites as some job ads are not listed in print but can be found online.
It is said that having good connections in Austria is the most effective tool for finding a job. Getting a job in a company because you know someone is considered the norm. Also, Austrian employers trust their friends, so if a friend refers you, you will most likely get the job.
To begin, you can opt for a temporary job at a lower level (clerical, construction, etc.) in order to get a permanent position (provided you perform well on the job). Austria offers a vast number of agencies offering temporary work like Manpower http://www.manpower.at/
Minimum Wage/Salary
Austria has no statutory minimum wage by law. Collective bargaining agreements set the minimum wages classified by jobs per industry/sector. It is said that the accepted unofficial minimum wage is €12,000 to €14,000 yearly.
Working Conditions
It is standard to work eight hours a day in Austria. Weekly, the maximum is 40 hours. Extra hours worked will be paid as overtime. It is not uncommon for Austrian nationals to come to work an hour early.
Tax
In 2008, the individual income tax ranged from 21% to 50% but actual tax deductions vary depending on your income. Taxes will be deducted on your salary and your employer will handle the tax contributions for you.
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