Work for International Students in Poland
In Poland, it is typical for overseas students to work while they study. In their first year of studies, more than 40% of Polish students are employed. It is preferable for Ukrainians who have just started college to wait for part-time employment so as not to compromise their education. You can, however, try your hand at simple job next summer. If you manage your time well, you'll be able to study in Europe and gain priceless professional experience there. In our post, we cover the information that students need to know to find safe and easy job in Poland.
What a student should know before searching for a job abroad
In order to fully utilise some of the aspects of employment registration, you must first comprehend who is meant by the term "student."
Students in Poland are usually divided into three types:
- Those who receive education in higher education institutions on a permanent basis or on preparatory courses before entering a University with the Polish language of instruction. Employment of this category of students is the simplest.
- Part-time or evening students at universities.
- Students of various courses, including language courses, as well as colleges. To employ these two categories of students, you need to know some of its features.
In this article, we'll use the term "those who acquire higher education in full-time education" for the convenience of the readers.
There are no limitations on the amount of working hours or the kind of jobs that students can apply for. The key is to successfully balance work and study, as failure could result in expulsion from the university, which would make students' very presence and employment in Poland unlawful.
Students and postdocs from Ukraine who are granted a residence visa in Poland do not require a work permit. The most important element is that you require proof of your legal presence in Poland, such as a visa, Polish card, or pobyta card. You can also work unrestrictedly while completing an internship from a school (subject to its registration in the Povatov Employment Center) or while undergoing professional training from a member organisation of one of the international student associations.
In addition to these documents, the employer must present evidence that confirms the student's status: a certificate from the Dean's office or a student ID card.
When may students in Poland start working?
All ages, with the exception of minors, are eligible to work as students in Poland. By offering part-time jobs and flexible schedules, the poles support the lawful employment of young people. While many Ukrainian firms are hesitant to hire students because of their lack of work experience, Polish employers are open to the idea, particularly because students (including international students) under the age of 25 are not required to pay taxes.
What type of work will suit the student
Work and part-time work for students in Poland can be very different. Best of all-if it is as close as possible to the chosen profession. Then there is a high probability that a diligent student will not only get valuable experience, but also an invitation to stay in the team.
Ukrainian students in Poland usually choose various temporary jobs in the field of beauty and health, in trade, insurance, and banking. Such types of part-time work are popular:
- work in the field of public catering. Depending on the city of stay and time of year, you can get a salary of about 13 zlotys per hour and tips, which can amount to 150 zlotys per shift;
— tutorship. Ukrainians who study in Poland usually speak 3-4 languages. There are many poles who want to learn Ukrainian and Russian, and they are willing to pay good money — up to 45 zlotys per hour;
— survey. Payment is calculated for the number of completed questionnaires and is from 5 to 40 zlotys per piece.
- product display in stores. The salary is about 12 zlotys per hour.
Also, Ukrainians are willing to earn money for many other temporary jobs, finding jobs:
- maids,
- packers,
- cashiers,
- sellers,
- packers,
- call center operators,
- nannies, sales
- managers.
What we do not recommend to earn is barkers in cafes, "free interns in reputable companies", engage in active sales of various products, animators and security guards. These types of jobs are usually low-paid, boring, and do not bring any useful experience.
What types of work depend on the time of year
At different times of the year, various directions are actively developing. Profitable work for students in Poland in winter can be in factories that specialize in the production of confectionery, bread, fish, auto parts, household items, in greenhouses that work all year round, in courier and postal services, in educational centers, call centers, clothing and footwear warehouses.
Jobs for students for the summer in Poland can also be found in the agricultural sector, in the hotel business and tourism. You can work as a guide for tourists from Ukraine and CIS countries, look after students on vacation.
How to choose and create a resume
Resumes in Poland are called CV (curriculum vitae). It must be written in Polish (the exception may be a CV to an international English-speaking company). The document form should be short and simple, 1-2 pages long. You must specify your personal data, education and experience, the level of knowledge of foreign languages (confirm the presence of certificates), attach a high-quality photo.
If you are looking for a job through an intermediary company, its employees will help you create a CV or tell you the content of the form itself. Most often, you need to fill in the detailed fields, as, for example, on The AtoZ Serwis Plus platform for employment of Ukrainians in Poland, where you just need to answer the questions in detail. You can also record a video interview, which will significantly increase your chances of attracting the employer's attention. And-wait for notifications from employers who are interested in your CV, as well as send it to the vacancies selected for you by the AtoZ Serwis Plus system.
So, the main thing to remember for Ukrainian students in Poland is that if your academic performance at the University allows you to go to work-do it boldly, but selectively, getting a legal job that best suits your professional profile, so that valuable time abroad will bring you more knowledge and experience.
