Israel: Applying for jobs

How do I apply for a job?

In most cases, applicants need to be resident in Israel to secure an offer of employment, although it is possible to arrange for an offer of employment by networking with companies that have operations in Israel, as well as with Israeli employers and residents.

CVs (Korot Chayim) are widely used and are generally one A4 page in length (a maximum of two pages). A covering letter should always be included with the CV. It is usual to have a Hebrew version of your CV, particularly for jobs in the public sector.

Find out more about CVs and cover letters.

What kind of CV do I need?

A typical CV includes the following:

• Name and contact details - it is important, if possible, to have an Israel contact address (use a family member, for example, if you are not already living in Israel) in order to interest a company in your CV.
• Current career objective and/or personal profile (optional).
• Work experience - start with your most recent job and work backwards, concentrating on your achievements. If you have a lot of previous experience, focus on the experience that is most relevant to the job you are applying for. If you have no work experience in Israel, mention any studying or volunteering in Israel that you have done.
• Education - list details in reverse order.
• Skills - computer skills are particularly important.
• Languages spoken - you should indicate your level of ability in each language.
• Israel Defence Forces (IDF) military experience (if relevant).
• Personal information - for example, date of birth, marital status and number of children (optional).
• References - provide details or state ‘available upon request’.

Make sure that your CV is tailored to the position you are applying for. This can be challenging as most CVs are only one page (and sometimes two pages) in length.

For more information, see the Aliyah Job Centre , Marksman International Personnel and Israemploy  websites.

What will the interview process be like?

Interviews may be formal or casual depending on the size of the organisation, although you would be expected to dress smartly for an interview however informal the work environment. First interviews may be with a human resources officer. The job market is competitive. Get as much information as you can about the prospective employer and anticipate the kind of questions you might be asked.

The Aliyah Job Centre suggests that immigrant jobseekers try and arrange an ‘informational interview’ in order to gather information from somebody already in a similar profession/job to the one they are interested in.

Will my UK qualifications be recognised?

The Bureau for Evaluation of Foreign Academic Degrees  (site in Hebrew) is responsible for the equivalence of degrees and diplomas from other countries. For more information see the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption (Israel) .

The Aliyah Job Centre provides a list of professional associations that may be able to advise on the portability of professional qualifications gained in the UK.

Do I still need to pay UK tax and National Insurance?

If you are planning to live and work in Israel, check your UK tax and National Insurance position with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)  to ensure that you are not losing any UK pension rights.