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Index > Settling In > Working in Crete
| Working in Crete Jobs in Greece, Employment Opportunities Work in Crete and the Greek Islands & Summer Jobs in Crete 2012 |
Thinking of working in Crete or living on a Greek Island? If you are coming
to look for work in Crete or Greece you'll find that the main work
opportunities are seasonal or part time. A number of summer jobs are
generally available between April/May to September/October.
The main areas of work in Crete and other Greek Islands for non Greeks are
in tourism related businesses during the summer months.
The recent economic crisis, IMF bailout and austerity measures in Greece led
to a general increase in unemployment amongst the population in 2010 and
throughout 2011, but temporary summer jobs are still to be had.
Year-round jobs in Greece and Crete are much more elusive, year-round
job opportunities have always been very limited, even for locals and fluent
Greek speakers. The majority of jobs in Crete and other Greek Islands are
only seasonal or part time, and low paid.... fine to keep you ticking over but
pretty much impossible to support a family on year-round without a back-up
fund.
Here are some ideas on where and how travellers and residents can find
summer jobs in Crete, as well as information on professional qualifications
and teaching English in Crete.
Tourism related jobs and businesses
Holiday Companies
British (and other nationalities) holiday companies generally take on
overseas staff for working in Crete and other Greek Islands from their home
country.
You usually need to apply for seasonal positions, such as reps or overseas
admin staff, in October for the following summer, although some companies
still advertise vacancies in February, March and even later. Occasionally part
time staff are employed locally in Crete, e.g. transfer reps. Ask the reps at
Heraklion and Chania airports whether they are taking on staff - on a
Tuesday there are plenty of charter flights from the UK and lots of reps
milling around!
Hotels, Catering, Bars & Shops
There are numerous jobs in Crete hotels, bars, cafés, tavernas and shops,
all usually seasonal.
Many North Europeans book a two week holiday at the beginning of the
season and start searching the bar, café & taverna windows for ‘staff
wanted’ notices. Chat to local bar and taverna owners, make connections,
and they will very likely point you in the direction of places looking for staff.
In the busy resorts this is the norm and hundreds of young people turn up
in Crete at the start of each season to job hunt on the spot.
Those who are already living on the island can start checking the local daily
newspapers (‘Haniotika Nea’ in Chania, ‘Patris’ in Heraklion and East Crete,
and ‘Nea Kriti’ for Crete in general) in February/March as this is when many
places start advertising for seasonal staff. Jobs are mostly advertised in
Greek, with the occasional English advert. For jobs in the main towns you
will usually need to speak some Greek, but non-Greek speakers can find
work in the tourist areas.
Maintenance Work & Cleaning
There are a number of property maintenance and management companies
who take responsibility for the running and maintenance of holiday villas.
There are occasional opportunities for plumbers, electricians, general
handymen, gardeners, cleaners and pool cleaners on a full time or casual
basis. An internet search will provide you with details of companies.
Self Employed - see Business in Greece
Professional Qualifications
Regulated professions and recognition of qualifications
Qualified professionals wishing to obtain recognition within the EU should
seek advice in Greece from the following contact:
Ms Athina Plessa-Papadaki
Director
Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs Directorate for European
Union Affairs
37, Andrea Papandreou Street
GR - 15180 Athens
Tel: +30 210 34 43631
E-mail: eudir@ypepth.gr
Website: www.ypepth.gr
The contact point should be able to tell you whether the profession you
wish to pursue is regulated in Greece and the authority which deals with the
recognition of qualifications.
Note that you may well need proficiency in the Greek language for your
profession in Greece and recognition of qualifications may be subject to
Greek language skills.
For further help with getting qualifications recognised and translated go to
any KEP Centre (citizens service centre) or lawyer.
Estate Agents/Property Developers
The Greek property boom slowed down and almost skidded to a halt in
2010/2011 as the economy dived and mortgage lenders pulled back.
Estate agents and property developers have been hard hit; a few years ago
they were employing teams of sales staff, whereas now they have reduced
staffing levels to a minimum. There are still occasional vacancies so you may
get lucky, but jobs are usually on a commission only basis.
Visit local estate agents offices in person, or apply via email with a CV. A
web search will bring up a host of companies.
Teaching English
In Crete there are literally hundreds of "frontistiria" (private language
schools) and so there is a some demand for native English speakers to
teach English.
Many Greek school children attend a private language school in Crete,
which operate after school hours. Some native English speakers work
teaching English either in frontistiria or by giving private English lessons to
pupils. Frontistiria are open during the school year, September to June,
and usually close for 2/3 months in the summer.
EU Nationals are officially required to hold a university degree to open or
teach in a 'frontistiro' language school. Another, more recently enforced,
requirement for all non-Greek nationals teaching English in Greece is to
demonstrate fluency in the Greek language in order to obtain a teaching
licence, however some language schools in Crete may employ native
English speakers who do not hold a degree or teaching licence.
A TEFL or TESOL certificate is useful and can greatly improve your chances
of employment. Also, perhaps more importantly, you will learn how to
teach English as a foreign language... which will include brushing up on
your English grammar (can you distinguish the present perfect simple
tense from the present perfect continuous?). Much of the ESL teaching in
Greece is very heavily grammar-based as the aim is for students to
acquire qualifications in the Cambridge ESOL or Michigan exams.
TEFL / TESOL courses can be taken online, see
as well as at many centres throughout the world.
Non-EU Nationals are required to obtain a work per permit in advance,
which must be sponsored by an employer, before applying for a teaching
permit.
Information on Teachers' Certificates / Permits can be obtained from :
General Education Directorate
Ministry of Education
15 Mitropoleos Street
Athens 105 57
Tel: 210 323 0461, 210 323 0862-4
Finding a teaching job in Crete
Contact PALSO (Panhellenic Association of Language School Owners) and
submit your CV by email, or post on the notice board at your local PALSO
office.
Click here for PALSO FAQ for Teachers
PALSO Chania
Partheniou Kelaidi 72
Tel. (0030) 28210 92622
Email: info@palso-chania.gr
PALSO Heraklion
Demokratias St.
Tel. (0030) 2810 322002
Local newspapers in Crete, such as the Haniotika Nea in Chania and Patris
in Heraklion, also advertise vacancies for unfilled language teaching posts
in frontistiria, particularly towards the end of August and during
September.
Pay is around 10 to 12 Euros an hour at the language schools, usually
plus IKA (National Insurance).
Private Lessons
Private lessons are more lucrative and English teachers can earn €15 t0
€20 + an hour, although competition is fierce and in these challenging
economic times many teachers are lowering their fees in order to make
lessons more affordable for parents. Many established frontistirio teachers
find that they are in great demand to supply additional private home
lessons to their language school students, and to others via word of
mouth amongst parents.
There are occasionally classified ads in local newspapers from those
seeking a private English teacher. You could also insert an ad in the local
newspapers offering your skills. However, this is generally not the most
successful route as locally many people rely on personal recommendations.
Qualified nurses
The British Embassy issues this statement,
" Qualified nurses wishing to take up employment in Greece should write
before coming to Greece directly to: The Association of Graduate Nurses,
Athens Tower, Building C, 2nd Floor, 2 Messoghion Avenue, Athens 115 27
Telephone No: 210 770 2861. With their letter nurses should include full
details of their qualifications and experience and mention when they
would be available to commence employment".
In Crete, English speaking nurses may find employment during the
summer season in private clinics in the tourist areas, also as private
nurses in the main hospitals. See Medical Treatment page regarding
hospitals.
Fruit Picking
In the winter months, usually December to February, the olives and
oranges are harvested. Many local farmers take on workers to help
harvest their fruit, but there is a stiff competition for this type of work from
migrant workers from Eastern Europe. If you are living or staying in a
village, ask the locals at the cafeneon if there are any jobs going.
Other...
In Crete there are literally hundreds of "frontistiria" (private language
schools) and so there is a some demand for native English speakers to
teach English.
Many Greek school children attend a private language school in Crete,
which operate after school hours. Some native English speakers work
teaching English either in frontistiria or by giving private English lessons to
pupils. Frontistiria are open during the school year, September to June,
and usually close for 2/3 months in the summer.
EU Nationals are officially required to hold a university degree to open or
teach in a 'frontistiro' language school. Another, more recently enforced,
requirement for all non-Greek nationals teaching English in Greece is to
demonstrate fluency in the Greek language in order to obtain a teaching
licence, however some language schools in Crete may employ native
English speakers who do not hold a degree or teaching licence.
A TEFL or TESOL certificate is useful and can greatly improve your chances
of employment. Also, perhaps more importantly, you will learn how to
teach English as a foreign language... which will include brushing up on
your English grammar (can you distinguish the present perfect simple
tense from the present perfect continuous?). Much of the ESL teaching in
Greece is very heavily grammar-based as the aim is for students to
acquire qualifications in the Cambridge ESOL or Michigan exams.
TEFL / TESOL courses can be taken online, see
as well as at many centres throughout the world.
Non-EU Nationals are required to obtain a work per permit in advance,
which must be sponsored by an employer, before applying for a teaching
permit.
Information on Teachers' Certificates / Permits can be obtained from :
General Education Directorate
Ministry of Education
15 Mitropoleos Street
Athens 105 57
Tel: 210 323 0461, 210 323 0862-4
Finding a teaching job in Crete
Contact PALSO (Panhellenic Association of Language School Owners) and
submit your CV by email, or post on the notice board at your local PALSO
office.
Click here for PALSO FAQ for Teachers
PALSO Chania
Partheniou Kelaidi 72
Tel. (0030) 28210 92622
Email: info@palso-chania.gr
PALSO Heraklion
Demokratias St.
Tel. (0030) 2810 322002
Local newspapers in Crete, such as the Haniotika Nea in Chania and Patris
in Heraklion, also advertise vacancies for unfilled language teaching posts
in frontistiria, particularly towards the end of August and during
September.
Pay is around 10 to 12 Euros an hour at the language schools, usually
plus IKA (National Insurance).
Private Lessons
Private lessons are more lucrative and English teachers can earn €15 t0
€20 + an hour, although competition is fierce and in these challenging
economic times many teachers are lowering their fees in order to make
lessons more affordable for parents. Many established frontistirio teachers
find that they are in great demand to supply additional private home
lessons to their language school students, and to others via word of
mouth amongst parents.
There are occasionally classified ads in local newspapers from those
seeking a private English teacher. You could also insert an ad in the local
newspapers offering your skills. However, this is generally not the most
successful route as locally many people rely on personal recommendations.
Qualified nurses
The British Embassy issues this statement,
" Qualified nurses wishing to take up employment in Greece should write
before coming to Greece directly to: The Association of Graduate Nurses,
Athens Tower, Building C, 2nd Floor, 2 Messoghion Avenue, Athens 115 27
Telephone No: 210 770 2861. With their letter nurses should include full
details of their qualifications and experience and mention when they
would be available to commence employment".
In Crete, English speaking nurses may find employment during the
summer season in private clinics in the tourist areas, also as private
nurses in the main hospitals. See Medical Treatment page regarding
hospitals.
Fruit Picking
In the winter months, usually December to February, the olives and
oranges are harvested. Many local farmers take on workers to help
harvest their fruit, but there is a stiff competition for this type of work from
migrant workers from Eastern Europe. If you are living or staying in a
village, ask the locals at the cafeneon if there are any jobs going.
Other...
- Check the Living in Crete Jobs Message Board for current
- Read Summer Jobs in the Greek Islands Article for more ideas and
information on pay and working conditions.
- The secondhand shop, To Pazari, Daskalogianni St. Chania,
occasionally have adverts on their shop notice board, in English, for
job vacancies. Or you can advertise your services here.
- The CIC newsletter, an English language monthly publication,
available at 'To Pazari', above, and in Rethymnon has the occasional
job ad.
- Many jobs are advertised by word of mouth throughout the
community. Ask around and tell friends and neighbours that you are
looking for work.
- See also Starting a Business in Crete and National Insurance/IKA
Index > Settling In > Working in Crete
_________________________________________________________
© Based on the book Living in Crete
To learn more about working in Crete click here to get a copy.
__________________________________________________________
© Based on the book Living in Crete
To learn more about working in Crete click here to get a copy.
__________________________________________________________
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