Are you a Ukrainian refugee seeking employment in Hungary? This article provides essential tips and resources specifically tailored to help you navigate the Hungarian job market, find job opportunities, and successfully apply for positions. We understand the unique challenges you may face and aim to offer valuable insights and support during this transition.

Want to know how to findClick here to enter text. a job in Hungary? In this article, we tell you where to go if you are looking for a job and what you need to do to get one.Click here to enter text.

 

 Where to look

1. If you are a foreigner and don't speak any languages, you can contact recruitment agencies. These agencies will take your details and put you in touch with temporary employment agencies or companies that would employ you even if you do not speak Hungarian. 

As the Hungarian government has a decree requiring the registration of temporary employment agencies and private employment agencies, check whether the company is on the list. The list can be found here. Recruitment agencies are useful, but you should always be careful not to fall victim to fraudsters and exploiters.

To do this, we recommend Profession.hu's Ukrainian-language brochure, where you can also find job offers. 

Important: If you are interested in a job offer, before contacting the company, make sure you take a few steps to protect yourself by making inquiries. This means  checking a company's social media presence and online reviews and reaching out to current or former employees for their perspective on the company culture and work environment. There are companies that do not fully respect the rights of workers and advertise or provide jobs on unfair terms. 

As the Hungarian government has a decree requiring the registration of temporary employment agencies and private employment agencies, check whether the company is on the list. The list can be found here. Recruitment agencies are useful, but you should always be careful not to fall victim to fraudsters and exploiters.

It's useful to find people who are already working in your profession in Hungary, who can give you advice, support or recommendations. You can ask your friends and seek information in facebook and telegram groups. Just make sure you follow only reliable information.

2. If you speak Hungarian and/or English,the most important channels for finding a job are online job portals (e.g. Profession.hu, Jobline.hu) and social media platforms (e.g. LinkedIn). On Profession.hu and LinkedIn you can also search for job vacancies in English.
Many companies also organise job fairs, recruitment events and career days where jobseekers can meet employers. Find the most important job fairs here.

How do I search and apply for a job?

The job search process usually starts with the preparation of a CV and a cover letter. It is also important to find out how many hours you can work with your existing documents and on what basis (for example, you can only work 30 hours a week with a student residence permit, 40 hours a week as an asylum seeker or with a residence permit.) With this in mind, choose the job advertisements that are relevant and send your CV and cover letter.

What should your CV look like?

It is important that your CV includes the following:

• basic information (place of residence, telephone and e-mail contact details)
•  previous jobs relevant to the job applied for (some companies may ask for a reference person to give an account of your previous work, but this is not always necessary). 
• other professional experience, skills and qualifications relevant to the job. (In all cases, it is recommended that you tailor your CV to the job advertisement and include figures as well.)
  
  

You can find CV templates on the internet, which can be very useful. For example, see this CV maker.

What should your cover letter look like?

Some companies ask for a cover letter to accompany your CV. Its function is to find out more about the candidate's personality and suitability. In all cases, it is advisable to tailor the cover letter to the job in question. When drafting the letter, make sure you take the following points into account: 

• The text should be coherent, well-edited and free of spelling mistakes. 
• The letter should be concise and to the point.
• Make it clear that you are writing specifically for the job advertised, not just resending a template. 
• Highlight your previous experience and be confident. If you're trying out a new field that doesn't quite cover your previous experience, you can say that too. The point is that the letter should be confident, convincing, possibly heartfelt and credible. 

You can find a number of templates for cover letters on the Internet, which you should use as a basis and adapt to the job in question. 

 

What should I do before the job interview?

First of all, be prepared to be rejected from many places, this is natural when looking for a job, don't despair! But if you are invited for an interview based on your CV and cover letter, here are some things to do: 

• Find out about your prospective employer. Find out about the history of the company, its activities, its products or services. Think about how you could be of specific use to the company and what questions you might have about the company and its activities. Consider what you can identify with and what you can't regarding the company’s mission. 
• Be prepared with the typical questions! Typical questions are often asked during a job interview, such as questions about your motivation and work experience, a previous successful project you have worked on, or the qualities that are most useful about you for the job. You can find these typical questions in English here, for example. Think carefully about how you would answer the questions, and maybe practice your answers out loud! Many companies use the situational interviewing method. You can find examples here. This involves asking what you would do or have done in a difficult situation in your previous job. It's also worth preparing for these in advance, even gathering your past experiences so that you can come up with concrete examples.
• If the company contacts you several times, for example to arrange an interview date or a preliminary discussion, answer their questions quickly, be proactive if necessary!
• Find out what salary range is usually offered for the position you are applying for.

What should I do at the job interview?

Rules that need to be followed at all times in a job interview:

• Show up for the interview on time. If something unexpected comes up, let the company know immediately. 
• Wear appropriate clothes.
• Be polite and confident.

How big a salary should I ask for?

Salaries in Hungary can vary between different industries and positions. In general, the pay gap is most significant in Budapest and rural areas.
It is important to discuss salary and benefits during job interviews. Some job advertisements may give the potential salary upfront, while others may not. In many non-public jobs, salary is a matter of negotiation, i.e. you can ask for more than you are promised, but it is good to know what the realistic maximum is. There are jobs where pay is not negotiable and cannot be changed.
However, you should be aware that the starting salary will only change during annual pay rises in most places, so always think carefully about what the minimum amount is that you can accept for that year.

The key is to be prepared and persistent in your job search.

We hope these tips will help you in your job search in Hungary!

 

In case you need more information, email us: sos@migaid.org or call us: +36 1 998 9150

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Our articles are validated, but the information provided does not cover every specific case.

 

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