Job Discussion Forums

[gerrit]

Hi,

I am a native Belgian who has left his country in order to realise his big dream: seeing the world, discovering new countries and cultures. I have lived in Ireland for nearly 3 years and travelled all around Europe, but I feel ready to leave Europe for a while now. I have always had a strong interest in Turkey and its culture, and would love to move to Turkey for 2 or 3 years.

Turkey mainly attracts me because of its big cities (with Istanbul as one of the most diverse cities on earth: a bridge between two continents and cultures, a gigantic city with a lot of cultural offers, located by the sea and with mountains nearby, ...) and its sceneric beauty, and of course its fuse between Middle Eastern and European influences.

I have been in touch with a few Turkish companies but unfortunately issues with the working permit (company was not prepared to wait until the application procedure was completed) stopped me from getting an offer. Working permit issues again, just like I had a few jobs that did not happen in Israel also because of working permit issues. Those permits are a true pain But I hope to still go for it, and with the summer season approaching there may be a lot of vacancies in the tourism/hotel industry near the Turkish coast?

Also, I have two weeks holiday in May and consider flying to Turkey (either Istanbul, Antalya or Bodrum) to go asking around for work.

A few questions:
- does anyone know if there is any international/multilingual callcenters in Turkey that recruit foreign people? Although the job is boring, I would be up for it as it'd be a stepping stone into the country. I have experience in this type of job, and speak 4 languages...

- how realistic is it to find a job in Istanbul or at the seaside in 1 or 2 weeks time? I have some financial reserves and do consider a trip to Turkey to go jobhunting. Of course I am not sure if the chances to find a job are realistic, I have gotten some conflicting information about this and some reliable info would be very useful. If I fly to Bodrum, Antalya or Istanbul and go asking around in job agencies, hotels, bars, etc, how realistic is it to find something within the 10-14 days?

- how expensive is life in Turkey? Because I know it's cheaper than life here, I even considered for a while to move without a job. I have approx 3000 euro financial reserves and thought it may be enough to survive for 2 months without a job (still paying rent and food etc of course...). I am not sure though if it's realistic to do that and to find a job in that time, so I think maybe a jobhunting holiday is more realistic.

- is it best to go jobhunting in Istanbul, or in one of the coastal areas?

I have no specific degrees or so, however I speak 4 languages (Dutch, English, French, German) which may be an asset for hotels and companies with international visitors/customers?

Any advise is welcome.

[calsimsek]

gerrit:

[tararu]

You should contact your embassy or consulate. They might know of something. You could also contact the French consulate as l know a few people who have got jobs through them.

[mongrelcat]

hi,
are you married?

-Stella

[Shalana]

Maybe some useful websites for finding a flat:

http://emlak.milliyet.com.tr/English/
http://english.hurriyetemlak.com/english/residence/

I like the first one better.

[gerrit]

I am not married no. Not sure why you're asking, but I assume that it has to do with working permits being easier to obtain when married to a Turkish citizen? I am not married, I am single even (although hopefully not for too long anymore )

I have previously called Siemens but they said working permits were difficult to obtain. They may do more effords when I'm in Istanbul to do an interview though?

Anyways, is the idea of finding work in Istanbul or the seaside in 10 days time, a realistic idea?

[dmb]

Nokia in Etiler also employ EU citizens. It is their remote service. I guess you need experience in this field though.

Tourism- there are thousands of Mehmets who work the tourist season in the resorts. They maybe have an advantage over you.
1) speak Turkish
2) will work for peanuts.

Someone mentioned before contacting your embassy is your best bet.

With 4 languages you should be able to find translating work.

Try searching for Belgian companies in Turkey.

I know that last month Denizbank took on a translator from Belgium because Dexia(sp?), Belgian bank, now own them.( the guy has a business background though)

best of luck

[TheLastNick]

I've always found www.kariyer.net quite useful.

And also: www.arbeitsagentur.de

PS: I sent a more detailed message to your pm-account)

[jamessmart50]

Fortisbank are Belgian. Maybe they'll get you something.

[dmb]

^James, Fortis merged with AG group back in 1990. They are a Belgian insurance company but Fortis aren't Belgian.

[dagi]

Take a look at www.lokum.nl , there was a post a while ago that AGIS was looking for multilinguals for their customer support.

[erdal]

[fishmb]

Translation services.

[fishmb]

OR, if you have your martinis shaken not stirred, maybe you could be a spy.