Getting Temporary Work in Europe

If you plan to work legally in any European country,dressed and an extremely bluffer, or you need to
you will need to make arrangements based on yourbring the right credentials. A recognized TESOL or
citizenship.TEFL certificate is useful. You'll also need a university
If you are a non-EU national, you will need to get adegree from your home country. August and
work permit or a visa in advance. Expect to do a lotSeptember are the best times to look for teaching
of paperwork and conquer a lot of red tape tojobs. If you can't get one, the other alternative is to
obtain the necessary permits from the consulate ofoffer your services as a private tutor to groups or
your own country. You'll also be needing letters fromindividuals, but this is a riskier option. The best places
your future employers as proof of your intent.to find teaching jobs would be Eastern Europe and
Before you leave, make sure you've also contactedGreece. The other countries are already quite
the embassy or consulate of the country that yousaturated with English teachers.
plan to work in because employment regulationsThe hospitality industry is probably the biggest source
change frequently.of temporary employment in Europe. If you have a
If you are a Commonwealth citizen between thework permit and some experience, it is easy to get
ages of 17 and 27, you can get a working holidaywork as a waiter or bartender. The best ways to
visa for Britain which is valid for two years. If youfind this sort of work are to ask around restaurants
have a parent or grandparent who was born in an EUand bars and watching hostel notice boards. If you
country, get in touch with that country's embassytime to work in this industry, you'll need to take with
and inquire about dual citizenship and work permits.you a good set of clothes.
Use this option if you are closely related toIf you don't have a permit, fruit picking or harvesting
somebody Irish. Ireland easily grants citizenship andis probably one of the easiest ways to make extra
passports to people with an Irish grandparent orcash. Employers usually turn a blind eye to the law
parent and once you have a passport, you can traveland pay up front. This sort of work is available
the EU easily. If you have a British-born grandparentalmost everywhere. The best way to get a job is to
or parent, you may be entitled to a four year workapproach farmers directly or ask around the nearest
visa from the UK with an option of residency at thevillage. However, timing is very important. If you are
end of the term. Before taking any of these options,too early or too late in the harvest season, there will
make sure that your home country also recognizesbe no work. If you show up in the middle of the
this dual citizenship.harvest, all of the jobs might be taken.
Once you've got the paperwork straightened out,You can also earn extra money by publishing articles
you can legally hold a casual job that may provideor photos of the places you visited. Travel
some financial support while you are Europe. You canphotography can be very competitive, so prepare to
teach English, work in the hospitality industry, picktake a hundred shots before some get accepted.
fruit, take pictures, or write travel articles. You canMany magazines and newspapers also accept travel
also do some other work in counseling, babysitting,articles based on the pictures that go along with
telemarketing, or in factories. Bear in mind that is notthem. Make sure to use a professional approach
always easy to pick a job because other unemployedwhen writing, as simple essays are almost never
EU citizens usually get them first before you do.bought. Also make sure you write with interest and
There are many students out there in Europe whodepth, with the occasional offbeat angle to make
want to learn English, but it is not always easy to getyour article marketable.
a teaching job. You will need to be either very well