Tips for finding a job in Rome as an expat

Considering a move to Rome in search of new work opportunities? Read our guide to find out about the documents you'll need and the application process.

Yordan

4 minute read

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Updated on 21 Nov 2022

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Working

If you’re looking to start your next career chapter in Rome, you’re in luck! Rome is not only one of the best cities in Italy to live in but also home to a multitude of international corporations that offer a wide range of career opportunities. If that isn't enough, the city's international nature and dynamic enterprises create a demand for English-speaking workers.

But how do you go about finding a job in Rome, Italy? There's a lot to figure out from legal requirements to work abroad to understanding what a good salary in Italy is. To help navigate this, read on to find out more about:

• The legal requirements for working in Rome
• The main industries in Romeand the job opportunities they offer
• The job application process
• The average salary in Rome

As with every country, there're some requirements you need to meet if you want to work in Rome. These requirements are slightly different for EU and non-EU citizens.

What you need to legally work in Rome as an EU citizen

Working in Rome as an EU citizen won’t require you to apply for an Italian work visa.

Instead, you can enter the country freely and you’ll only have to:

• Register with the local anagrafe in Rome (the Italian registry office)
• Apply for your codice fiscale (the Italian tax ID)
• Acquire a residence permit
• Open a bank account
• Get health insurance

What you need to legally work in Rome as a non-EU citizen

Relocating to Rome for work as a non-EU citizen will cost you quite some effort.

In order to legally work in Rome, you’ll have to:

• Get a job in Rome
• Acquire a work visa to enter Italy after your employer has has been granted a work permit to hire you.
• Acquire a residence permit
• Register with the local anagrafe in Rome (the Italian registry office)
• Apply for your codice fiscale (the Italian tax ID)
• Open a bank account
• Get health insurance

Many companies handle the relocation process for their new hires, so make sure to check if your new employer is able to do that for you!

If you're looking for work in Rome, you'll be happy to know that there're a number of different industries that thrive in the city.

The most popular industries in Rome are:

• Finance: Rome is home to a number of major financial institutions, making it a great place to work in if you're in the finance industry.

• Technology: Rome is also a major hub for technology companies, so if you're looking for a job in the tech sector, this is a great city to consider.

• Fashion: With its world-renowned fashion houses and designers as well as 2 of Italy’s best fashion schools, Rome is the perfect place to start your career in fashion.

• Food: Rome is renowned for its food, so it's no surprise that working in the food industry is a popular choice for many people. From restaurants to food manufacturing, there’re plenty of opportunities to work in the food industry in Rome.

Finding a new job in Italy may be a difficult and stressful task. You can make your job hunt easier if you are persistent and prepared for the applciation process.

Where to look for work in Rome

LinkedIn is one of the most popular online job search sites in Rome. Setting an alert for the available jobs will bring you many job notifications for positions in global corporations.

If you’d like to expand your job search, make sure to check out the following job websites:

• Indeed
• Infojobs.it
• Glassdoor
• Monster.it

If your job hunt isn’t successful or you simply dont’t have the time to look for a job in Rome yourself, then working with a recruitment agency, such as Adecco, may be the best option for you!

Despite the widely available Enlgish-speaking jobs, knowing Italian is sure to increase your chances of landing a well-paid job.

How to prepare your CV for an Italian job application

Your CV is what makes the first impression, so it’s important that you prepare it up to the Italian standard.

Following the Italian model, your CV should include the following elements:

• Formal photo of yourself
• Personal details: address, email, date of birth, nationality, and eligibility to work
• Education, qualifications, and final grades
• Work experience and traineeships
• Languages, computer & other skills

If you lack professional experience to list in your CV, you can list the most relevant projects that you've worked on in university.

Depending on the position, you may have to submit your CV in Italian. If there’s no specification on the language requirements for the job, however, you can choose to write your CV in either Italian or English.

If you’re looking to make your application stand out, make sure to also include a short cover letter that presents your personality and motivation to work for the company you’re applying to.

Tips for going through the interview process

Foreigners may find the interview process in Italy intimidating, but with a little preparation, it can be simple to manage.

Most interviewers will begin by asking broad questions about your experience and credentials. Make a copy of your resume available so you may refer to it throughout the interview. It is also necessary to be aware with the company's history to be able to talk in depth about their products or services and also what value you’ll be bringing on board.

In addition, as part of the interview process, you may be requested to do an assignment or take a test. This might be producing a brief article, addressing a company issue, or conducting an interview with a customer.

Once the interview has finished, make sure to show appreciation to the interviewer’s consideration of your application and follow up with an email after.

As with everywhere else in Italy, working a regular job that pays minimum wage will bring you around €7 per hour.

As to the average salary in Rome, it's €54,300 per year or €4,525 per month, which is more than enough to cover the cost of living in Rome.

The exact pay varies based on your education level, job type and language proficiency.

The pay for marketing, sales and purchasing positions averages at around €98,000 per year and you can expect to earn at least 20% more if you have a Master’s degree. As your experience compounds your salary can potentially reach above €110,000 per year in this field.

Now that you’re aware of the most important information about working in Rome, it’s time for you to get familiar with what your life will be like as an expat, the Italian work culture and all the practical information about living in Rome.

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