Israel
Israel enjoys a strong economy, and employment opportunities for graduates are good. However, competition for graduate-level jobs is keen. Employers look for workers who have a strong academic background and good work experience.
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.
A typical CV includes the following:
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Aliyah Job Centre has a list of recruitment agencies operating in Israel.
Networking is important and employers are keen to hire people that are familiar to them. Target industries and professions that are of interest to you and make use of any contacts you have in Israel, such as family, friends and neighbours. Friends and colleagues in the UK may also have useful contacts in Israel. Be proactive in your networking, using internet networking sites such as LinkedIn .
International students may apply to do scientific research projects at Kupcinet-Getz International Science School, part of The Weizmann Institute of Science . Students work under the guidance of a staff scientist and spend eight weeks during their summer holidays working on the research project to which they have been assigned. The programme is for outstanding university undergraduate students only.
Participation in the IAESTE (The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) programme is open to students attending courses at universities, institutes of technology or similar institutions of higher education in a range of countries, including Israel, in the fields of science, engineering, technology and architecture.
Teach Abroad offers various teaching schemes in Israel.
A popular type of voluntary work is kibbutz. A kibbutz is a single communal society where all means of production are owned by that society. The Kibbutzim Site provides information and advice on all aspects of kibbutz work. Numerous websites give information about working on a kibbutz, including Kibbutz Volunteer .
There are various voluntary opportunities to participate in excavations of ancient sites. The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes a list of archaeological expeditions that accept volunteers.
Volunteer opportunities are also advertised through Transitions Abroad and Volunteering in Israel .
Research any opportunities thoroughly to ensure you are happy with the project and terms and conditions on offer.
There are eight universities in Israel offering degrees at Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral level. Most Masters degree programmes extend over a period of two years. Doctoral programmes focus on a thesis or dissertation. Applicants must have a Masters degree from a recognised university. Doctoral programmes are based on original research relevant to the department.
Regional colleges also offer academic courses. A number of these operate under the auspices of one of the universities, enabling students to begin studying for a degree near their home before completing it at the university's main campus.
Most Israeli students are over the age of 21 when they begin their studies (after having undergone compulsory military service).
The Israel Council for Higher Education has more information on the higher education system in Israel and has links to universities, teacher training colleges and other higher education institutions.
Postgraduate courses are available at Masters and Doctoral level in a range of subjects.
Courses are often taught in Hebrew, although some courses are taught in English. For example, English-language MBAs are available at a number of Israeli universities, including:
The Feingold Graduate School at The Weizmann Institute of Science offers MSc and PhD degrees in physical sciences, chemical sciences, life sciences, mathematics and computer science, and science teaching - all available to English-speaking graduate students.
For a list of undergraduate, postgraduate and summer courses taught in English, aimed at students from abroad, see the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs website .
Israel has eight universities:
A good degree from a recognised university is required. An adequate knowledge of Hebrew is also necessary. Other requirements may include academic references, practical experience and additional tests.
In addition to a completed application form, applicants may also need to provide a non-refundable registration fee and a transcript of degree qualifications.
Entry on to a Masters programme is usually at the beginning of the academic year (mid to end of October) or sometimes the beginning of the second semester (March). PhD applications can be made anytime. Check the individual university websites for more specific information.
Jewish students from abroad who wish to study in Israel may use the services of the Student Authority Israel at the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption (Israel) , which aims to encourage Jewish youth to study in Israel. It provides information on choosing study programmes, scholarships and loans, academic preparatory courses and help with registering.
For further information, contact the university you are interested in directly.
Fees vary. Check the individual university websites for specific information. There may be additional fees for international students in Israel.
The government of Israel offers scholarships to students who are UK citizens as laid out by cultural agreements between Israel and Great Britain. See the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs .
Contact your university to see if they have any exchange programmes or links with Israeli universities.
Information about the equivalency of qualifications and skills from Israel to the UK’s national qualifications framework is provided by UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom) .
UK citizens do not need a visa to enter Israel. On entry, visitors are granted leave to enter (by means of a stamp in the passport) for a period of up to three months. Your passport must be valid for at least six months or you may be refused entry by Israeli immigration authorities.
Those who want to work in Israel but who are not granted an immigration visa under the Israeli Law of Return (Aliyah) need to obtain a work visa. It is illegal to work in Israel without one. For further details see the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs .
Student visas are granted to those who want to study in Israel. The visa is valid for up to one year and for multiple entrances and exits. Recipients of a student visa are not allowed to work.
If you are not a UK national, check whether you need to obtain a visa to visit Israel. See the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for details.
A work visa is granted to someone whose stay in Israel is approved for a limited period of time for the purpose of work. Work visas are very difficult to obtain and are usually given to experts in a particular field.
An application should be submitted to the Ministry of the Interior. Workers must enter Israel within the period of time specified in the visa and stay in the country as specified in the visa. It is possible to apply for an extension to a work visa. If you work in Israel without a work visa, you can be detained and then deported.
If you are not a UK national, contact the Israeli embassy in the country where you are currently residing about how to obtain visas and work permits. If you are living in the UK, go to the Embassy of Israel in the UK .
You might also find it helpful to contact your ministry of foreign affairs (or your own embassy if you are not living in your home country) to ask whether there are any issues to be taken into account when considering working in Israel.
Jewish immigration is strongly encouraged and supported. If you are Jewish or of Jewish descent, the Israeli Law of Return (Aliyah) may apply to you.
Contact the Embassy of Israel in the UK or the Israeli Embassy in your own country for details.
Given the strong policy of encouraging Jewish immigration to Israel, the Israeli government employment services are geared towards assisting new Jewish immigrants. If you have been granted 'new immigrant' status, you are entitled to special assistance from government ministries and various other organisations. This is done primarily through a network of employment/vocational guidance centres, courses and professional retraining programmes, which are aimed at the placement of new immigrants in jobs that match their educational backgrounds, training, experience and personal capabilities. For details see the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption (Israel) .
The Aliyah Job Centre also provides a range of job advice and job opportunities to those who have obtained, or who are considering, Aliyah (immigration to Israel).
See individual institutions for details of the services they provide, for example on-campus job fairs.
In the case of an emergency, UK nationals are advised to contact the British Embassy Israel in Tel Aviv or the British Consulate General, Jerusalem .
Other emergency contact numbers in Israel are:
Find the latest travel advice and a traveller’s checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.
