Thinking of working in Crete? If you are coming to look for work in Crete you'll find that Summer jobs in Crete are generally easy to find.
The main areas of work in Crete for non Greeks are in tourism, real estate and teaching English.
Year round employment opportunities for foreigners are very limited, even for fluent Greek speakers. The majority of jobs in Crete 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 others can find Crete summer jobs in 2008... as well as information on other jobs such as teaching English in Crete.
Tourism related jobs and businesses British (and other nationalities) holiday companies generally take on overseas staff for working in Crete 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!
There are numerous jobs in Crete hotels, 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 looking for jobs each year.
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.
Estate Agents/Property Developers Offices have sprung up all over the island. They employ English speakers to sell land and property to non Greeks, usually on a commission only basis, as well as office staff. Visit them in person, or apply via email (a web search will bring up a host of companies). They often take on extra staff, especially in the height of the season.
Teaching English There is a considerable demand for the teaching of English as a foreign language and there are opportunities for regular and part-time employment. In Crete there are literally hundreds of "frontistiria" (private language schools) and the majority of Greek school children attend one after school hours. Many 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 3 months in the summer. A Presidential Decree signed in 1997 made it possible for European Union Nationals to be generally employed in and also open Foreign Language Frontistiria. Officially you need a university degree to open or teach in a 'frontistiro' language school, but some will employ you without one. A TEFL or TESOL certificate is very useful, it will greatly improve your chances of employment and 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?).
TEFL / TESOL courses can be taken online as well as at many centres throughout the world, also in Crete (see Intersol )
For a free online TEFL trial 'taster' go to
More information about teacher requirements, plus details of vacancies from the Panhellenic Association of Language School Owners (PALSO) :
You can also post your CV on the local PALSO notice board for vacancies.
Pay is around 8 to 12 Euros an hour at the language schools, usually plus IKA (National Insurance). Private lessons are more lucrative, 10 to 20 Euros an hour, and students usually found from the frontistiria who need extra lessons at home too. Or try advertising in the local newspapers.
Information on Teachers' Certificates: General Education Directorate Ministry of Education 15 Mitropoleos Street Athens 105 57 Tel: 210 323 0461, 210 323 0862-4
Qualified nurses The British Embassy issues this statement, however I have never heard of any British nurses working in Chania hospital! " 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".
UK Agencies There are agencies in the United Kingdom who may be able to assist in finding employment in Greece, usually as nannies and governesses. You are advised to secure a written statement (agreement) before arrival in Greece as to duties involved, hours of work, salary and arrangements for payment of fares to and from Greece. If in doubt you should seek legal advice before any contract for employment is signed.
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. If you are living or staying in a village, ask the locals at the cafeneon if there are any jobs going.
Summer Jobs in the Greek Islands Article - for more ideas and information.
The secondhand shop, To Pazari, Daskalogianni St. Chania, often has ads, 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 (News Stand) 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.
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