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JOBS

‘A love of learning was vital’

American Amanda K. moved to Vienna in June 2013 to pursue her graduate studies. As well as studying, she works at Gymboree Play & Music, a private childcare company which offers parents in Vienna the chance to spend more time with their young children in a specially-tailored environment.

Published: 4 September 2014 09:58 CEST
'A love of learning was vital'
Amanda enjoying the snow.

How did you get your job and do you have any tips for someone looking for similar work? 

I got my job at Gymboree Play & Music when I saw a vacancy posting on the online group Americans in Vienna. Since I had experience in teaching English to children as a second language, the owner Margarita was happy to introduce me to their school skills program and the upcoming new bilingual playgroup.

We're very customer-oriented, and it’s a great team here at Gymbo. For those looking for similar work, my advice is to keep your eyes glued to such foreigner-centric online forums. Vacancy postings pop up often, but I like to think that I have been quite lucky. 

What were the requirements for your job and was German necessary?

A love of learning was vital. I think it is important to be energetic, kind, confident and competent, but most importantly – to like children! Of course work-experience with small children was also an advantage. German was not necessary as there are classes in both German and English, and I teach only the English ones.

Had you studied German before you arrived in Austria?

I didn’t begin studying German until I’d been in Vienna for four months. It’s such an international city that it’s easy to get around using only English. But that’s not to say that studying German is not important. Getting to know the culture becomes infinitely easier once you know the language.

What do you think is the best way for an English speaker to improve their German skills?

Practice every day. This is the same in any language. Once you get the basics of grammar and vocabulary right, just go out into the city and interact with people. If you don’t practice, you’ll never improve. It’s the same with the children I teach. The most important thing for me is that they need to have fun. Fun in learning a language for the first time is essential and opens a range of opportunities later in life. That's why I think my job reflects my enthusiasm for personal development.

What are your favourite aspects of life in Austria?

Austria is a beautiful country with lots of opportunities for travel. For the outdoorsy types, the hills and mountains provide excellent hiking. In Vienna itself, history and culture melt together in every corner of the city, and it is a perfect jumping off point for travel in Europe. It is, by all accounts, a wonderful place.

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WORKING IN AUSTRIA

First steps: What to do when searching for a new job in Austria

Whether you have just arrived in Austria or have worked here before but are now unemployed, this is how you should start your job search.

Published: 17 January 2024 16:05 CET
Updated: 4 April 2024 14:11 CEST
First steps: What to do when searching for a new job in Austria

Austria is known for its welfare or social system, and even people who do not have a job can receive assistance – but the full entitlement depends on factors such as previous work in the country, for example. 

If you are moving to Austria or have lost your job, there are tools you can use to help you get into the labour market again – especially with the help of the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS). Here’s what you need to know.

Registering as unemployed

The first step is registering as an unemployed job seeker with the AMS. It’s not a mandatory step, but the AMS can give you professional counselling from a personal advisor. You can also be recommended courses and get job adverts that fit your profile. 

A person can register as an unemployed job seeker with the AMS regardless of any entitlement to a benefit from the unemployment insurance scheme, so even if you have just arrived in Austria. Here’s a list of the regional offices of the AMS.

READ ALSO: Unemployment benefits in Austria: Who is eligible and how much can you get?

If you are entitled to unemployment benefits (for that, you need to have contributed to the social system in Austria), then you must register with the AMS by the first day of unemployment. If you register online before the start of unemployment, you have ten days after the start of unemployment to confirm the registration at an AMS office in person. 

Even if you are not at first entitled to benefits from the unemployment insurance scheme, some circumstances may entitle you to several forms of help from the agency. 

This is why it is recommended that you reach out to the AMS regardless of your situation.

AMS’s chatbot

Austria’s AMS also recently launched a new AI bot that usesChatGPT technology – and information from AMS – to help people looking for jobs and training in Austria, as The Local reported.

The bot uses ChatGTP knowledge and AMS’s sources to help users. It can also ask further questions to get specifics on each case, creating a dialogue and exchange of information.

The bot can give answers on training, salary, careers, visas, and more to anyone asking questions. It also provides links to the pages with the source information – all in whichever language you choose to interact with it. 

READ ALSO: How useful is Austria’s new AI tool for foreign job-seekers?

Looking for jobs

Besides the assistance of your advisor at the AMS, you can also use the agency’s job search tool to find employment. Several positions are advertised there, especially for service and trade jobs. It’s possible to narrow down the search based on work hours, place of work and state, among others.

READ ALSO: Six official websites to know if you’re planning to work in Austria

Besides the official site, people in Austria also use other ways of finding jobs online, including websites like LinkedIn and even posts on FB Groups (though be careful with false advertisements if you are in doubt when it comes to employment and work contracts, you can always reach out to your local Chamber of Labour).

In Austria, two sites are also popular among job seekers: Karriere.at and Xing.com. You can also use sites with classified ads such as Der Standard or Willhaben, for example. The Local has a page with English-language jobs in Austria as well.

It’s often common to find jobs through personal contacts in Austria, where the “friendship culture” is prevalent. 

READ ALSO: What is the ‘friendship economy’ in Austria and how does it work?

Even the official government website says, “Personal contacts should also not be ignored when it comes to successful job placement. It can be very helpful to ask around among family, friends and acquaintances for vacancies.

“The more people who know about the job search, the greater the chance of success”, it added.

You will also need to prepare a CV and, depending on the job, even a motivational letter – your AMS advisor can typically help adapt and write both documents. 

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