Cyprus-Forum.com

[a266]

What are my chances on finding a job in Cyprus with no requirements of the Greek language? I've been browsing the web, and it seems like it is almost IMPOSSIBLE. Please tell me im wrong!

I speak 3 languages, and Greek is not one of them. And I have experience in banking and in the airline industry. Any recommendations?

[Svetlana]

In many areas of business it will soon be hard to get a job even if you are Greek speaking. Without Greek you are going to be limited to certain non-customer facing jobs, or those where the customers are able to speak English.

I think you will have a hard time finding something suitable.

Lana

[saravakos]

I'd say pretty difficult in a country where its the main language.

[Tim Drayton]

There are opportunities. The shipping business in Limassol employs large numbers of foreign office staff and these tend to be English-speaking workplaces. On the other hand, shipping is being hammered by the global crisis, so I don't know how many openings there will be in that sector just now. There are plenty of jobs in the call centre and telesales business for English speakers, particularly if they can offer another language. I would recommend that you scan the situations vacant columns of the Cyprus Weekly and the Cyprus Mail. There are always jobs being advertised for English speakers, some of which require no knowledge of Greek. For example, in this week's Cyprus Weekly, the following jobs requiring fluency in English and no knowledge of Greek are advertised:

Accounting / Administration Officer
Administration Assistant
Office Administrator
Mathematics Teacher
Telesales Professionals
Telesales Executives

A lot of job adverts these days state that knowledge of Russian would be an advantage.

So do not be put off. There are employment opportunities out there for English speakers with no knowledge of Greek.

[JimB]

What are my chances on finding a job in Cyprus with no requirements of the Greek language? I've been browsing the web, and it seems like it is almost IMPOSSIBLE. Please tell me im wrong!

I speak 3 languages, and Greek is not one of them. And I have experience in banking and in the airline industry. Any recommendations?

Possibly not the best time to job hunt in Cyprus.

Banking - in theory not that difficult so long as your not looking at local retail end. Corporate, investment, medium to large business are possibilities with right qualifications / background and experience.

Local banks forget it. Relatively closed shop, protectionist and stubbornly clinging on to the 'job for life' mentality. Pay generally lower than non-local so not much of an issue.

BAA recently reported a +10% drop in demand for european sector in general due in part to currency pressures and a rising demand for non-euro and emerging destinations.

Cheaper fuel prices allowing many carriers to retain / reduce air fares for time being. Unlikely to continue in the long term and prospect of withdrawal as demand drops further.

Airline industry - try the UK, non-Greek / non-Cypriot carriers that visit Cyprus. Dependant on your language skills, cast your net further e.g. France, Germany as CTO is trying to promote tourism in that area to offset losses from non-euro currency zone. Google the Cyprus Tourism office website and scan the reports for further information.

General Cypriot job market is trending down with some sectors being hit harder than others. Recession sensitive areas are showing signs of impact e.g. property, automotive, furniture etc. Market set to deteriorate at faster rate to follow european zone in general.

Increasing prospect of job losses within both banking and airline sectors and the market in general.

Check the papers etc as Tim suggests. Submit your CV to Monster.com etc. and google the local and international recruitment agencies which serve the island (GRS is one I know of that cover financial appointments if you need a head start).

Don't jump until you've lined something up. Your savings will evaporate.

Best of luck.

[yiannis08]

What are my chances on finding a job in Cyprus with no requirements of the Greek language? I've been browsing the web, and it seems like it is almost IMPOSSIBLE. Please tell me im wrong!

I speak 3 languages, and Greek is not one of them. And I have experience in banking and in the airline industry. Any recommendations?

I work for a foreign Exchange company in limassol with no greek required

Company is called Easy Forex Tel: 25 828899

[yiannis08]

What are my chances on finding a job in Cyprus with no requirements of the Greek language? I've been browsing the web, and it seems like it is almost IMPOSSIBLE. Please tell me im wrong!

I speak 3 languages, and Greek is not one of them. And I have experience in banking and in the airline industry. Any recommendations?

I work for a foreign exchange co in Limassol with no Greek required. It's called Easy Forex Tel: 25828899

[rotate]

Alternatively consider Cyprus as an excellent base for working in Southern Europe/Middle East/Libya and the rest of N. Africa.
Worked well for me for many years in the airline industry and now in my present job.
Good Luck

[Tim Drayton]

:idea: Alternatively consider Cyprus as an excellent base for working in Southern Europe/Middle East/Libya and the rest of N. Africa.
Worked well for me for many years in the airline industry and now in my present job.
Good Luck

Don't know about Libya, mate. I had a job in Libya working four weeks on, two weeks off. As the crow flies, Limassol is 800 miles from my old workplace in Libya, making it seem like an ideal base. However, the only available flight from Tripoli to Larnaca involves a lengthy overnight stay in Cairo. On my first field break, I flew back to Tripoli on the early morning company flight with some colleagues who lived in the UK. It turned out that they would catch a midday flight to the UK and be home by the evening on the same day. I was going to Cyprus, a mere stone's throw on a world map, yet would have to wait for the midnight flight to Cairo and, since the connecting flight to Larnaca wasn't unitl the following afternoon, wouldn't get home until the following evening! I never went back to Libya.

[karma]

Even in Dubai thousands of Indians and Pakistanis r being sent back to their countries by charters paid by the gov each and every day..

Crisis is really scaring , we all may have to go back to our villages soon or later and become farmers to survive