How to Find a Job in Latvia

Relocating can be difficult, especially when you're moving abroad. Latvia, one of the Baltic States, is a politically and economically stable country with a growing number of job opportunities for immigrants. Plan ahead to find out more about the Latvian business climate and conduct research about job opportunities before you finalize your relocation plans.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Invest in a preliminary trip to Riga to look for jobs and check out housing availability. As the largest city and capital of Latvia, Riga is home to a majority of the country's business and commerce. While you can search the Internet from home, a personal visit simplifies the job search process.

2. Prepare your Curriculum Vitae (CV). While "CV" is used interchangeably with the word "resume" in the U.S., CVs typically provide more detail about your education and work experience. Visit European Resources for details on how to write an effective CV and to view samples (see Resources below).

3. Check out TEFL International for English teaching jobs (see Resources below). The organization offers an internationally accepted teaching certificate, along with internship and job placement assistance after completing the program. TEFL places English teachers in Latvia and dozens of other countries around the world.

4. Go to the Latvian Web for a guide to business, finance and property (see Resources below). This site provides information and Internet links for companies from numerous industries, including insurance, investment, information technology, banking and publishing.

5. Visit a staffing agency website like Working Day or Prime Recruitment (see Resources below). While Prime Recruitment's site is available in English, many of Working Day's job postings are written in Latvian. Its website, however, provides contact information so you can call to ask questions in English.

6. Browse 3wJobs.com or Learn4Good.com to search for jobs in Latvia by industry or location (see Resources below). Be persistent, checking back regularly to look for new postings if you don't find anything on the first try.

Tips & Warnings

• Check out TransitionsAbroad.com for articles and resources on job hunting overseas (see Resources below). You can also purchase a copy of "Work Abroad," its complete guide to finding jobs away from home.
• Be persistent in your search for a job in Latvia. Most jobs are not open to non-EU residents, and the fees involved in obtaining a work permit can be high, but opportunities exist for Americans willing to stay the course.

Resources

• European Resources for CV writing tips.
• TEFL website for teacher training.
• Latvian Web for business and industry information.
• Working Day for job vacancies and recruitment information.
• Prime Recruitment for job searches in Latvia.
• 3wJobs.com for Latvian job postings.
• Learn4Good.com for Latvian job postings.
• TransitionsAbroad.com for articles and resources on overseas relocation.