Move over America! The European tech scene is emerging, innovating and set to take over. For those IT candidates eager to step away from the norm and have an enviable tech career that travels the continent, now is the time to make the change.
At Evolution, we place candidates across Europe daily and have the insight, knowledge and skills to help take your career international too. So, grab your passport, get out the suitcase and make a note of these top tips on travelling Europe with your career.
When deciding to take your IT career to Europe, research is the difference between packing your passport or stashing it away in the drawer. Europe is suffering a significant tech-skill shortage, with 63% of employers feeling the pinch, but the IT candidates and skills in demand vary from country to country. At Evolution, the key European cries for help we're seeing include:
A mid-morning coffee in Sweden, a lunch-time pint in Germany or cycle home in the Netherlands – cultures, traditions and working practices differ across the continent, and it’s important to understand what you’d love and what you really wouldn’t love. Start by noting whether you want:
Once you know what you want, then you can narrow down the countries that your IT career could take you to.
Value the latest tools and technology? Head to the Netherlands. Yearning for above-average annual leave? Pack for Sweden. Love innovation? Think about Germany. Each country offers its own perks and benefits – both within and outside the workplace. Be honest about what matters to you and what you can compromise on.
A useful tool we recommend to Evolution candidates is a cost of living calculator, such as the one here, to understand if you can afford the lifestyle you want to lead in your chosen office location.
No matter which European tech hub you’re aiming for, an up-to-date, informative and engaging CV is crucial. Outline significant achievements in your previous roles and tailor it per county to highlight the IT and soft-skills in demand there. And, ensure that it appeals to techies and non-techies alike – you don’t know who will be reading it.
Read our top CV tips here.
We’re not talking IT skills here (although that’s important too). Soft skills are valued across the IT industry but are significantly lacking in some European countries. Developing and highlighting your business-savvy skills such as project management, team working, problem-solving and communication will make you a highly competitive candidate. And, speaking of communication skills, while English is the business language of choice across Europe, a willingness to learn the basics of the local language (especially for interviews) will impress beyond belief.
Thinking about taking your IT career into a different country can be nerve-wracking, but there’s plenty to be excited about too.
Taking your IT career to Europe is a huge decision, with an overwhelming amount of information out there to find, understand and put into practice. Visas, taxes, average salaries, skills, vacancies, contracts – it’s confusing, and it’s best to speak to someone in the know.
At Evolution we’re highly experienced in placing IT job seekers across Europe, understanding what skills are in demand and how you can go about achieving your dream position.
Contact us today to kick-start your international career.
