One year on, still no work.

[Gregv]

Hi all,

My name is Greg and I moved to Italy (Modena) from Canada just over a year ago. I'm hoping some of you might be able to provide some help or insight.

I have a broad background in project management, IT, consulting, business, and even engineering. I also speak 4 languages including Italian. For the last 10 years I've had a lot of difficulty finding work due to being "overqualified" and I've learned to be flexible and play dumb. The last few years I've been fortunate enough to find some clients interested in my services and did very well doing contracting. This allowed me to save up for my dream of starting over in Italy.

Unfortunately I've been here for 14 months now and have been unable to find any work whatsoever. I'm not picky, I'll gladly wash the floors at this point! But I've had zero replies from CV submissions. This is not a big surprise to me as I'm used to it. What has surprised me is that employment agencies (LavoroPiu, Randstad, Adecco, etc.) also seem unwilling to give me basic work because they say I can do better so now I can't even find "in between" work.

The savings are quickly running out and the situation will start getting pretty desperate soon. I can't help but get depressed that after earning well into 6 figures (which I don't need now, I came here for quality of life and not money) I can't even get minimum wage work. I've even offered to work for free for the first month or two for several positions but no luck.

I guess I'm looking for thoughts and ideas as I'm starting to run out myself. I need a fresh perspective.

I really appreciate it. Thank you all!

-Greg

[jojo]

Altho I'm not in Italy, I would suspect that its possibly not that different to how things are in Spain workwise??? Altho Spain has the highest unemployment in Europe. However, the Spanish tend to look after their own first "nepotism", Then their friends and friends of friends. So I would suggest you perhaps network, chat to people, knock on doors face to face, leave CVs and then do some follow up hassling and get yourself about, rather than rely on e-mails, agencies etc. ???

Just my thoughts

Jo xxx

[Gregv]

Originally Posted by jojo

Altho I'm not in Italy, I would suspect that its possibly not that different to how things are in Spain workwise??? Altho Spain has the highest unemployment in Europe. However, the Spanish tend to look after their own first "nepotism", Then their friends and friends of friends. So I would suggest you perhaps network, chat to people, knock on doors face to face, leave CVs and then do some follow up hassling and get yourself about, rather than rely on e-mails, agencies etc. ???

Just my thoughts

Jo xxx

Thanks Jo

I'm definitely doing this already though. To the level where it's almost stalking in some cases. Driven over 1000km just to intercept someone at a trade show in Switzerland for example when the company is 10 minutes from my house, hand delivered letters, CVs, try to bump into people at events, made mutual friends to try to 'name drop" etc.

Certainly entry level positions where they want fluent English and French for example aren't solely reserved for italians? Maybe I'm wrong but I hope not. Otherwise it would seem pretty hopeless.

Also, forgot to mention I also have an EU passport, so it's not a problem with work permits or anything.

-Greg

[Gregv]

Originally Posted by thecapaccino

did you move to Italy alone? no significant other?

its a long shot, but "dating" sites might help....in the sense you can meet locals...?

:-)

My girlfriend gave up her job to follow me here and she's also been unable to find work, something for which I feel quite responsible. She's limited herself to only working in her professional area (whereas I'm willing to do ANYTHING) but she's actually had a few interviews which is more than I can say for me.

[thecapaccino]

hmmmm...its probably because she is also a Woman...less intimidating.....

what is HER professional area? if i am not being too noisey...just wanting to confirm her slightly more successful attempts.

[Gregv]

Originally Posted by thecapaccino

hmmmm...its probably because she is also a Woman...less intimidating.....

what is HER professional area? if i am not being too noisey...just wanting to confirm her slightly more successful attempts.

Not at all.

She is (was?) in corporate budgeting/planning. She's also now taking an online TEFL course in the hope that it may open up some prospects

[thecapaccino]

with that line of work....I think she would need a strong grasp of Italian....even in an international company.

but TEFL - i must say should help. Good she IS open to something outside her professional area.

when i wanted to move to Switzerland...TEFL...let me tell you was a godsend!!! i did it online...and it really really really help me to bridge the gap with my career...

good luck!

[Gregv]

Originally Posted by thecapaccino

with that line of work....I think she would need a strong grasp of Italian....even in an international company.

but TEFL - i must say should help. Good she IS open to something outside her professional area.

when i wanted to move to Switzerland...TEFL...let me tell you was a godsend!!! i did it online...and it really really really help me to bridge the gap with my career...

good luck!

She also speaks French and Romanian so Italian is quite easy to grasp for her as well.

[Gladiola]

Dear Greg,
I reply you for Solidarity, because I felt very close to you... when I read your experience in Italy (moreover in Norther Italy !!!) I felt very surprised that you cannot find a job in spite of your efforts during all this time here...but don't think because you are "a stranger" ! I AM ITALIAN, I am young, graduated, qualified...I sent a huge amount of Curricula around the world but NO ONE REPLIED ME !!! We are living a TERRIBLE and HEAVY moment ! Is almost for everyone, not only for me and you and your girl ! I think that nowadays you must provide to invent a job without waiting for someone ready to give it to you !!! I'd like to meet you on Skype and maybe we could arrange or invent something to come out from this situation ! ALL TOGETHER !!!
Add me. my Skype name is sunofnaples

Bye and SMILE ...because Life is Beatiful that way !:fencing we must fight for our right to work and NOT to beg work !

Connie

Originally Posted by Gregv

Hi all,

My name is Greg and I moved to Italy (Modena) from Canada just over a year ago. I'm hoping some of you might be able to provide some help or insight.

I have a broad background in project management, IT, consulting, business, and even engineering. I also speak 4 languages including Italian. For the last 10 years I've had a lot of difficulty finding work due to being "overqualified" and I've learned to be flexible and play dumb. The last few years I've been fortunate enough to find some clients interested in my services and did very well doing contracting. This allowed me to save up for my dream of starting over in Italy.

Unfortunately I've been here for 14 months now and have been unable to find any work whatsoever. I'm not picky, I'll gladly wash the floors at this point! But I've had zero replies from CV submissions. This is not a big surprise to me as I'm used to it. What has surprised me is that employment agencies (LavoroPiu, Randstad, Adecco, etc.) also seem unwilling to give me basic work because they say I can do better so now I can't even find "in between" work.

The savings are quickly running out and the situation will start getting pretty desperate soon. I can't help but get depressed that after earning well into 6 figures (which I don't need now, I came here for quality of life and not money) I can't even get minimum wage work. I've even offered to work for free for the first month or two for several positions but no luck.

I guess I'm looking for thoughts and ideas as I'm starting to run out myself. I need a fresh perspective.

I really appreciate it. Thank you all!

-Greg

[Gregv]

Originally Posted by Gladiola

Dear Greg,
I reply you for Solidarity, because I felt very close to you... when I read your experience in Italy (moreover in Norther Italy !!!) I felt very surprised that you cannot find a job in spite of your efforts during all this time here...but don't think because you are "a stranger" ! I AM ITALIAN, I am young, graduated, qualified...I sent a huge amount of Curricula around the world but NO ONE REPLIED ME !!! We are living a TERRIBLE and HEAVY moment ! Is almost for everyone, not only for me and you and your girl ! I think that nowadays you must provide to invent a job without waiting for someone ready to give it to you !!! I'd like to meet you on Skype and maybe we could arrange or invent something to come out from this situation ! ALL TOGETHER !!!
Add me. my Skype name is sunofnaples

Bye and SMILE ...because Life is Beatiful that way !:fencing we must fight for our right to work and NOT to beg work !

Connie

Connie,

This is true. I actually invested in creating a business around supercar owners last year which started out pretty good (driving events). This is Modena afterall! But then came Monti and the Superbollo, so almost all my clients and prospective clients got rid of their cars. Just no luck it seems.

Are you in spain? If so perhaps the business could still function there and I could use a local person!