General Information about Job Application in Cyprus
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WHY WORK IN CYPRUS?
Cyprus retains the marks of 10 000 years of civilisation, as well as a good number of party hotspots. Away from the resorts are villages and ruins drenched in scents typical of the Mediterranean. Cyprus is considered to be a very diverse and cosmopolitan place to live in. Locals and foreigners enjoy a high standard of living, with foreign nationals accounting to 22% of the country’s total population. Furthermore, Cyprus has an excellent reputation for being a safe and friendly place to live and work.
In terms of work the country has seen a gradual recovery in its labour market since the economic crisis of 2013. Today, the unemployment rate is quite low, employment rate is rising and many sectors in the economy are looking to hire from abroad to meet labour demand. Construction, hotel and catering industries, as well as retail and commerce, IT and financial services are the front runners of the Cyprus economy. European citizens have the best prospects for employment in any sectors of the economy, with more opportunities in the sectors of Food and Accommodation, Wholesale and Retail Trade Construction, finance, IT, and other technical occupations.
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LOOKING FOR WORK
Candidates can look for vacancies through various channels, some of them can be found below:
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Tips for job applications
The most common way to apply is to send a typed letter and a CV. A job application, with a CV and a covering letter, can be submitted directly to the employer or through the intermediary organisation or person identified on the job vacancy. If the vacancy is found through the EURES portal, it is very important to state the number of the vacancy in the letter sent to the employer and the EURES Adviser handling the vacancy.
The Public Employment Service does not have a CV database for people not being registered as unemployed and residing in Cyprus. However, the Vacancies database is publicly available through its website (https://www.pescps.dl.mlsi.gov.cy/CPSWeb/f001w.jsp)
You can also send in your CV through certain large private employment agencies, and job boards operating in Cyprus. You can find those agencies by searching the Internet. Some large organisations and some employment agencies have a website where you can fill in your details and apply for an existing or future vacancy.
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TIP: If you apply for a vacancy found on the EURES portal, mention the national reference number.
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Writing your CV
The CV must be prepared carefully and accurately, be checked for spelling and other mistakes, and provide a rounded view of your capabilities, knowledge, experience, specialisation and interests. You will find advice about how to prepare a good CV on the Europass website. CVs are accepted either in Greek or English. Photos are common on CVs sent to Cypriot employers. Furthermore, the Europass format CV is used quite widely and well understood and accepted by Cypriot employers.
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Writing your covering letter
Both electronic and written applications should include a covering letter, which should be no longer than one page, to the point and typed. This letter, addressed to the employer or the organisation advertising the post, should contain important data not included in the CV. It should state the title of the job, where you saw the job advertised and how you can be contacted. It should also be signed.
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Making contact by phone
The first contacts when looking for work in Cyprus are usually made by phone. As a prospective candidate, you are advised to ask if the vacancy is still open and for details of the application procedure.
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Do I need to send diplomas with my application?
A copy of the diploma is always needed, usually at the very beginning of the application. Authenticity of documentation is rarely necessary, except for regulated professions for which registration is required, such as doctors, architects, engineers, etc.
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Usual length of time between publication of the vacancy and start of the job
After the agreement between the two parties, the job usually starts by the beginning of the next calendar month for occupations paid on a monthly basis, or by the beginning of the following week for unskilled occupations paid on a weekly basis. Nevertheless, this is a condition that should be negotiated between the parties involved.
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Preparing for an interview
Companies often hold written examinations or carry out forms of practical tests at assessment centres, for instance. The employer analyses the capacities of the candidates in order to identify the most qualified individual. In every circumstance you must, as a candidate, be prepared in accordance with the job requirements. You must have knowledge of the specific employment sector, of the environment in the economic sector and of the situation on the ground in Cyprus. You must also be able to present your strong points.
Interviews for people who do not speak Greek are usually conducted in English, unless there is another common language.
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TIP: Be aware that in Cyprus most establishments are small units where the owner is at the same time the director and the personnel manager. The director or personnel manager usually conducts the interview.
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There is no specific structure for the job interview. You may be asked to present yourself and discuss your positive and negative sides as well as your qualifications and experience in relation to the job description.
Questions are most often related to qualifications and experience, for example: Why do you feel you are suitable for this job? What is your experience in this field? What are your expectations of this job? For low-skilled professions, the employer may ask the candidate to demonstrate their skills on-site. In Cyprus, there are laws against discrimination and for the protection of personal data. During an interview, the candidate is not obliged to answer strictly private questions or give confidential information, for example about one’s sexual orientation
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Should I supply references, letters of recommendation or proof of good conduct?
References and letters of recommendation are commonly used for high-level jobs. When listing referees, the applicant should inform the relevant person in advance and ask for their per- mission to include their name, phone number and job title in the CV. Regulated professions usually need proof of good conduct as evidence of a clean criminal record.
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Negotiating your pay and benefits
In Cyprus, terms and conditions of employment are usually determined in collective agreements. Candidates are encouraged to be informed about the terms of these agreements. However, collective agreements are not binding by law and in many cases wages and other benefits are negotiated between the employer and the employee.
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TIP: Employers are obliged by law to inform an employee in writing about the terms and conditions of employment offered within 1 month of the commencement of employment. This document should include the salary, hours of work, annual leave, etc.