Prague at a Glance
Working in Prague
iStockphotoPrague is not just beautiful, but also an economic powerhouse.
As the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague is the major economic and financial center of the country. Those working in Prague produce roughly a quarter of the country’s rapidly growing GDP.
The city’s central location within Europe has made it a popular destination for foreign investments. Most multinational companies operating in the Czech Republic have their headquarters in Prague, as do many of the largest Czech companies.
Another plus for those who are considering working in Prague: the low unemployment rate. In recent years, it has been hovering around the 3% to 4% mark, even during the aftermath of the financial crisis. Prague’s favorable economic conditions have not gone unnoticed by the global expat community: Currently, foreigners working in Prague make up close to 20 percent of the workforce. The numbers of those arriving to start working in Prague are still on the rise, despite the global economic downturn.
Working in Prague: Main Industries
In recent decades, Prague has turned from an industrial city to a modern service and R&D-based economy. During this process, local entrepreneurs have been very successful in attracting both foreign and domestic investments.
Nowadays, the service sector is the city’s growth engine and employs around 80% of all people working in Prague. The most important are the financial sector as well as trade-related services. Another significant part of the workforce is working in Prague’s ever-growing tourist industry.
The numbers of those working in Prague’s traditional industry domains are declining. The automobile, pharmaceutical and electrical engineering industries remain of importance for the city, however. And, yes, there are still some breweries, too – although their actual economic significance is marginal.
Working in Prague: Professional Qualifications
The golden days when you could simply come to Prague and find a job the following day are over. Nevertheless, opportunities for working in Prague still exist, especially for expats with hard skills in the area of banking and finance, IT and business development. These are also the fields in which those working in Prague earn the highest average salaries.
There are also manifold opportunities for foreign language teachers looking to start working in Prague. For more info, check the section on teaching English below.
Working in Prague: Finding a Job
For those who would like to start working in Prague, there are several possibilities to actually find a job there. Since multinationals in Prague are generally most likely to hire expats and offer the most competitive salaries, it is recommendable to start your search there. Your national chamber of commerce or diplomatic representation in Prague may be able to provide you with lists of companies from your home country with offices in Prague.
Alternatively, you might want to check out some of the following websites for job offers in Prague:
If possible, consider coming to Prague for a couple of days to go job hunting on the spot. Depending on the type of position you are looking for, this might just be the most effective way to find the right type of work.
Working in Prague: Teaching English
As in many other countries, working in Prague teaching English (or another language) is a popular option for those who would like to get a chance to experience the country, its culture and its people. In Prague, there is a continuously high demand, especially for native English and German speakers.
The majority of jobs at private language schools or companies require a degree as well as either sufficient teaching experience or a TEFL certificate. Alternatively, giving private lessons can be a profitable way of working in Prague as a teacher, too.
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