Tips for finding a job in Milan as an expat

Do you want to work in Milan but don’t know where to start? Check out this guide and discover the best tips to get a job in your dream city!

Sofia

6 minute read

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Updated on 9 Oct 2023

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Working

Finding a job during a pandemic is hard. Finding a job during a pandemic in Italy as an expat is harder. You may be aware of the high unemployment rate in the country, but you may not be aware of the huge demand for foreign workers in Milan.

We know how hard is to move out of your comfort zone and start a new life in a new city, so we’ve got the best tips and tricks to make your job search simple and smooth.

In this article, we’ll give you information on:

1. The documentation you need to legally work in Milan
2. The job market in Milan
3. The job options per industry
4. How to successfully complete a job application
5. If the average salary in Milan is enough to get by on

Every country has its own rules and regulations, so make sure you know what you have to do before moving to Italy. It can be awful being able to get a job in your dream city and realise you aren’t able to work or move because you’re missing some essential papers.

Whether you’re a European or non-European citizen, everybody must open an Italian bank account and have a residence permit to work legally in Milan.

If you’re from a non-EU country and find a full-time job or an internship from abroad, you may be in luck! Some companies, especially the big ones, offer sponsorship and re-settlement schemes to non-EU new joiners. Make sure to ask your company if such a scheme is available!

Living in Milan can be daunting, so make sure to check our guide with the necessary practical information you need to know before moving into the city.

Milan’s reputation of being Italy’s most innovative city and the economic engine of the country dates back to the Renaissance.

Booming to this day, the business environment in the city attracts thousands of locals and internationals who are looking to further their careers and make Milan their new home.

There’s an abundance of multinational companies that offer all types of jobs across Milan. If that isn’t wonderful enough already, the international nature of the city and the active businesses creates demand for English-speaking professionals.

The businesses in Milan are from practically every industry there is, so the chances that you’ll find something in line with your career ambitions are high.

The city is attractive to local and international young professionals with a background in finance, marketing, or economics. What attracts them is the heightened presence of some of the biggest local and international banks across the city. Thanks to the international nature of the business in this industry, there’s always demand for talents with good English knowledge.

Known as the city of fashion, this industry is one of the most important ones in Milan. The fashion industry always offers great roles for expats. These jobs require a good level of English and, in some cases, previous experience in the sector. Besides an abundance of full-time positions, the fashion industry also offers internships to students or recent graduates who want to kick their fashion careers off with a bang.

There’s also a high demand for workers in the hospitality industry thanks to Milan’s popularity among international tourists. There’s an abundance of hotels of varying sizes that offer part- and full-time employment almost year-round. Similarly to hotels, restaurants and bars are also constantly eager to hire new talents.

Given the international tourist influx, you’d be an attractive candidate if you’re fluent in English and/or other languages. Your language skills would also be appreciated if you’re looking to be a tour guide in Milan.

Working part-time in a hotel, restaurant, or bar is a great way to earn extra money to support yourself throughout your studies.

The English-speaking nanny profession is becoming more and more popular across Italy. This job is ideal if you don’t speak good Italian, like children, or are simply looking for an easy way to kick your Milanese journey off. The demand for this profession is the result of parents looking for someone to take care of and teach their children English while they’re at work.

As accessible as the Milanese job market is to non-Italian speakers, there are some professions where speaking fluent Italian is a must. Such are all medical professions since all contacts are with locals and the terminology is distinct.

Even though some companies, especially big international firms, don’t care about the level of your Italian skills, this shouldn’t put you at ease! You must consider learning Italian, since you’ll be living among and working with Italians almost exclusively.

Finding a new job abroad can be a challenging and stressful experience. You can make your job search easier if you know what to expect and are proactive!

Useful websites to find a job

One of the main online platforms where you can find a job in Milan is LinkedIn. Many job alerts on there are from multinational companies and are written in English so that foreigners can easily apply.

If you’re looking for an English-speaking job in Milan, you should also look through Indeed, Infojobs.it and Jobsinmilan, where many vacancies in international companies are posted daily. You can also try Adecco, a recruitment agency that helps locals and expats to find a job in the city according to the skills and requirements of the applicant.

Application process (CV)

The first thing to do is to create and update your CV. You must include your education and past academic and professional experience, highlighting the most significant ones. Make different CVs and adapt them to the positions you’re applying to. Always make sure to include a formal passport photo of yourself.

If you just graduated from University and you don’t have relevant experience, you can always write down any interesting projects you’ve done during your studies.

If you speak both Italian and English, you may choose to write your CV either in a language. However, it’s important to note that a CV in English are better for positions that require the employee to speak the language at a fluent level. This is because companies in Milan are business-oriented and always looking to expand their operations abroad. Don’t forget to state the level of any language you speak.

Following the Italian model, your CV should include:

1. Personal details: address, email, date of birth, nationality, and eligibility to work
2. Education, qualifications, and final grades
3. Work experience and traineeships
4. Languages, computer & other skills

Another thing to know is that it's not compulsory to attach a cover letter to your CV in Italy. If you choose to add a cover letter regardless, you must make sure that it’s short and doesn’t include any irrelevant information.

Interview process

Interviews can be stressful, especially when your potential employer is a foreigner and you don’t know how to approach them.

If you go for an in-person job interview in Milan, it’s almost certain that you’ll have to talk in Italian if the role requires Italian language skills. You could also be tested with some questions in English just to double-check your skills.

When approaching Italian employers, make sure to smile, use the formal “lei” form to address people if you’re talking in Italian, and don’t forget about the humor. Showing respect is crucial for getting a job, so make sure to arrive early, use the appropriate titles, and of course dress in an elegant way.

It’s not a secret that Milan is one of the cities with the highest salaries in Italy, but also the most expensive one to live in. So before you decide to pack your stuff and move to the business engine of Italy, you should be aware of the salaries and cost of living in Milan.

Living in Milan can be very expensive if you’re not a local and you’ve just arrived in the city. you can still stretch your bduget if you know where to live in Milan and how to have fun like a local.

Italy doesn’t have a minimum wage, so salaries in Milan are based on the type of job you do and on the company you work for. The average salary in Milan is €1,300 net per month, excluding extra work hours and benefits. However, salaries can vary depending on the organisation you work for, so if you plan to apply to a specific company or a specific role, you can check updated salaries and reviews on Glassdoor.

An advantage of working in Milan is that expat employees are covered by the Italian social security system. This means that foreign workers in Italy have the same rights as Italian citizens. This means that you can get paid sick leave, disability benefits, and unemployment benefits.

All in all, we know that starting a new chapter and a new life in Milan can be challenging but it'll reveal an amazing personal and professional experience. All you have to do is define what you’re after and follow our tips. Good luck!

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