Working in IT on Cyprus

[JSAston]

Hi Guy's

I need some info on Blue Chip Companies on the Island, within IT, Finance, etc. Are you or someone you know working in this field? We have looked on the Cyprus Jobs site, and have made contact with some recruitment agents to ask for information on salaries for roles simular to my partners. However, although we have had a lot of interest in her skills, no one has answered our questions.

Basically my partner has a Computer Sience Degree, and works for Reuters and the London Stock Exchange. What she is trying to find out is a rough difference in her salary if we were to come and live on the Island. People have advised us its about 1/3 less than the UK, which would be fine, but I don,t think they understand what her current salary is. As a full time company employee, she commands a salary of £50k+ per year, if she was to contract as self employed then £80k+ is in her reach. If we were to go by the info we have gathered thus far, with a third off what she earns in London, then is it correct that there are salaries of over €44.5K in the same or simular fields on Cyprus? If there is anyone out there who works within her field which is Software Developement/Lead Testing in a Stock Exchange/Banking environment, who could provide a us with reliable info on this subjuct?.

Many thanks Jon

[Dreamlives]

Hi Jon,
I dont work in the field but know that Cyprus has a lot of highly qualified people who are IT graduates, I would suggest contacting the companies direct and speak to the Managers, to get the correct salary, not an easy process as they like to get you to work for the lowest wage, but with high skills and experience you are in a good position to negotiate.
Check Cyta Yellow pages for the numbers of the co's you want to check out
I hope this helps

[JSAston]

Hi thanks for replying.

She has contacted a couple of companies directly already and they are very interested in what she has to offer, and have asked for her to have a phone interview. The recruitment agencies she has contacted are also keen, but are reluctant to give any info without seeing her in person. Most agencties are like dodgy car salesman, and the ones in Cyprus dont seem any different to here. Thats why we are very interested in contacting people who are working in a simular enviroment to her.

Cheers for the info

[Dreamlives]

Hi Jon,I think dealing direct is a better option, as in CY they will negotiate with you so telephone interview may be the way to go,
I notice the process of interviews is different to the UK and often the managers will do it all and work out the wages.

Good luck and if you need more help just ask

[flouri1971]

My husband is Canadian Cypriot and works in IT, but we now lived back in the UK as salaries were and are still so low in Cyprus compared to the UK. We were looking at going back now we have a young family. Once you have made a few personal contacts this will certainly open more doors for you and your partner. Business is certainly done on personal recommendation and top jobs are still not usually advertised. Contracts or being self employed/consultancy based are definitely the way to make more money and to be fluent in Greek is certainly helpful, even in the Multi Nationals. Direct contacts are definitely the way to go forward. Salaries in government jobs etc are still often based not on meritocracy, but how long you have been desk sitting for! My husband had a couple of telephone interviews with blue chip co's and they asked him what he expected to earn, I guess it's down to a haggling process and the extra benefits you hope to gain. Good luck, let us know how you get on!

[JSAston]

Many thanks for your replies guy's.