12 replies to this topic

[Adiec]

Dear All,

I just came from Turkey 3 days ago from a 2 month stay and for the 4th visit in the past two years. I loved that country so much. So, i was looking around for a good school to study my MBA. The good news that i found one, it calls "Yeditepe university" and i have been told its a good one. I met some great people out there and everything went well. I will apply in July for the Fall semester and will start on September. So, basically, i will move to Istanbul in July and i am planning to stay there.

My only problem so far is to find a decent job as a foreigner, i am originally from Egypt and live & work in Saudi Arabia in a media production business as a key account manager, i have 6 years experience in the field.

Anyone can help me/guide me for how to find a job in Istanbul

Thnx in advance

[Adiec]

For anyone's reference, in my career, I have 6+ years of experience in customer relation, workflow management and key account management. I believe that my solid expertise and my fast-learning capabilities will allow me to fit a diverse range of needs

[Abi]

Hi Adiec and welcome to our forum, I see you original post hasn't been answered. I'm not sure that you would be able to work here if you are on a students visa. In order to work here you would need a Work Permit which your employer would have to apply for, I suggest you contact the Turkish Consulate in your area and ask their advice.

[Adiec]

Hi Abi, thank you for your feedback and for bring up your concerns about student visa. For your reference, am not on a student visa anymore, i have my resident Permits as its much easier to do things like rent a house, open a bank accounts, buy a car,. etc from the student visa.

However; i still can't find a job around, so far i am searching and applying online, but seems that no one is checking his HR emails :/. Any advice from you would be great to speed things up i will appreciate it

Take care
Adie

[Ken]

Getting a work permit in Turkey is practically impossible unless you're doing a job that a Turkish citizen can't do. That's the first test, and why most jobs are only gotten by foreign language teachers or people working with foreign embassies or companies (again in jobs Turks can't be hired for). Some foreigners who have been here for years become Turkish citizens so they can work. There might be opportunities for you which require the Arabic language, or with a company which does business with or within Egypt or other Arabic-speaking countries.

[sunny]

I think your best chance of a job in Istanbul would be in the large hotels as it has been reported that there has been a big increase in the number of tourist from Arab countries so they may well want an Arabic speaker and your English seems very good as well.

[Adiec]

@Ken, thank you for being realistic in your response, i like that. I been told that i have to find a job first then the employeer should take care of the work permit (supposedly)

@sunny, thank you for getting back to me, i guess i will hunt for the large hotels based in Istanbul, wish me luck

[Abi]

Yes, your employer would have to apply for a Work Permit for you,

[sunny]

You could also check with companies in your own country that may have branches in Turkey but I expect that they would want someone who speaks Turkish. Do you?
Good luck .

[Adiec]

Unfortunately i don't Sunny am trying to learn though. Do you think it would help if i can speak Turkish?

[sunny]

Well foreign companies who have branches here would probably be looking for people who can speak Turkish but anyway if you want to live here life is much better if you can speak the language.

[Adiec]

Yea, i know. I am in the process to learn Turkish, and as far as it concern it does required learning Turkish anyway. The simplest tasks like get a hair cut required a lot of Google translate before going

[sunny]

I think a lot of us have had similar experiences.