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This article was written using information from Expertise in Labour Mobility. For more information about living and working in Europe and to order your invaluable ‘Looking for work in…’ guide, visit www.labourmobility.com Belgium
Belgium is the historical and modern crossroads of Europe where many countries come together. While this can make employment more complicated it means your European reach is wide. Citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) need to apply for a residence permit to live in Belgium. EU nationals must apply to their local town hall within eight days of arrival. This permit is valid for five years and should be issued to you within six months of your arrival. Contact the Belgian embassy in your home country for more information. Belgium is divided into three regions: Brussels Flanders Wallonia.
The Flemings in the north of the country speak Flemish, which closely resembles Dutch, and the Walloons of the south speak French. There is also a small German-speaking section of Liège province. The application procedureOne of the most successful ways of finding work in Belgium is by making speculative applications. Be aware of the language difference in Belgium. Walloons do not appreciate it when they are addressed in Dutch, and people from Flanders do not like to be addressed in French. Expect a Belgian interviewer to pay most attention to your past experience, motivation, and social or interpersonal skills.
Writing a CVYour CV is a marketing tool – its job is to sell you to employers, and encourage them to invite you for interview. It’s vital to target your CV to the specific job market you are interested in. The most common format for a Belgian CV is most recent first. Your CV should be about two pages in length. Only give details of educational results that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Mention your linguistic abilities. They are considered of great importance and should be listed on your CV with reference to the spoken, written and reading levels. Include additional courses, internships and computer skills. To write a Walloon CV, have a look at the information given about writing a CV for French employers. But for a Flemish CV, don’t assume it should resemble the Dutch CV, as the Belgians are much more formal, both in terms of behaviour and in the use of language.
The application letterFollow the instructions given in the job advert. Handwritten letters in the French part of Belgium, are considered common, whereas in the Dutch-speaking part of the country, it is more usual for letters to be typed. Include details of your extra-curricular activities. References are usually verified, so make sure you inform your referees in advance that they may be contacted.
Management cultureManagement authority rests on competence rather than on hierarchy in Belgium. Belgians always want to reach a compromise, especially when it concerns business. Belgian employees have a high work-ethos. Any ideas employees have need to be backed up with facts and figures. Belgians appreciate personal contact, so prefer to do business face-to-face, rather than over the phone or by e-mail.
Working factsWork times The usual working time is eight hours a day, with a five-day working week. A nine-hour day can usually be worked, if you wish to take time off on other days. Holidays Generally, employees are entitled to at least 24 days’ annual leave and 10 days’ paid public holiday, after an initial work period of 12 months. In principle, working on these days is not allowed. Holiday entitlement depends on your length of service. Usually you get: 24 days’ leave if you have 12 months to your credit; 22 days’ leave if you have 11 months to your credit; 20 days’ leave if you have 10 months to your credit, and so on. Holiday payment is paid directly by your employer. Employees have the right to at least two consecutive weeks’ leave (three if below 18 years of age) between 1 May and 31 October. Employees with children of school-age get preferential treatment, so they can take their leave during school holidays.
Overtime Wide range of international opportunitiesPhilippe Fonck, a careers adviser at the University of Louvain la Neuve, sheds his light on the international opportunities Belgium has to offer: ‘Belgium has graduate jobs to offer in the IT, finance and trade sectors. However, Belgium is probably more attractive to graduates for the international opportunities it has to offer, due to the many EU institutions and European headquarters of multinational companies here. Young people today are more valued for their skills rather than for their academic diploma. You need to have analytical capabilities, the ability to manage and lead projects, have teamwork abilities, be a good communicator, and have drive and ambition.’ Fast factsGraduate starting salaries EUR18,968–22,965 Age at graduation 21–24 years. Working week 40 hours. Holiday entitlement 24 days’ annual leave and 10 days’ public holiday.
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