Timing important for expats looking for jobs in Prague

If you’re planning to relocate to the Czech Republic as an expat professional, timing is the buzzword for 2019.

Over the past few years, a solid number of expat professionals have taken on work in Prague and other sizeable cities in the Czech Republic, with January and February traditionally the best time for employers to recruit new staff. However, new figures suggest Czech employers are looking to take on fewer expatriates than at the same time in 2018. Subdued hiring activity is expected be the norm in the oncoming year as a result.

The bad news is that, although payrolls are expected to rise in seven out the Republic’s 10 sectors as well as in its three regions, in comparison with Q4’s results this year hiring totals are expected to weaken in the seven sectors and the regions. Also, outlooks are falling in six employment sectors and two regions. Companies are griping that it’s now difficult to find suitable candidates for vacant positions, especially in the engineering industry and in IT.

In addition, many firms are having difficulty hiring replacement workers in the logistics and manufacturing sectors, with Manpower reporting an increase in enquiries for jobs in call centres and the automotive sector. At the present time, Czech unemployment figures are at an all time low as well as being the lowest in Europe, with no fewer than 31 per cent of major Czech companies looking to increase their numbers of vacancies over the next several months. Timing your application with announcements of new hirings is the best plan, especially if your speciality is one of those listed as needing more expat talent.