To work abroad and precisely to work in Belgium is the dream of many people around the world. But, the majority of them do not know where to start a career in Belgium. The process of moving there is simple but not so easy. You have to make efforts to reach your goals and prove your competency. Here is an article to discover the secrets of getting started as a potential employee in Belgium:

Work in Belgium:

Belgium is a European country with many specific features, culture, and opportunities. Working in Belgium is very attractive. Unemployment rate there is lower than in France. The cost of living and taxes are also affordable. Getting a job in Belgium depends on the applicant’s situation; a graduate or an apprentice, an immigrant or a local citizen. Whatever is the applicant’s background and chosen field, Fratres will help you gather the necessary information to boost your chances of getting an employment contract in Belgium. Fratres is a job search engine that will help you build your professional and personal career. Here are 7 secrets that job experts will finally reveal about employment in Belgium. Remember that these steps are also valid for all foreign job seekers.

1. Prepare your Job Application File:

This is a step that is almost neglected by people who wish to find a job in Belgium. To increase your chances of finding an employment contract in Belgium, you need to prepare a perfect job application file.

-First, create an attractive CV for Belgian recruiters

-Second, write an excellent cover letter to explain why you are a suitable candidate.

-Do not forget to organize all your qualifications and certificates in PDF files.

- Prepare for the upcoming job interviews. Follow the best tips for a successful job interview in Belgium.

- Prepare for psychometric recruitment tests.

2. Study the Job Market in Belgium.

As a job seeker, you should have a general idea about the recruiting fields in Belgium. Try to conduct research about the in-demand fields and the terms and conditions of entering them. Before looking for job openings, you should gather information about the work environment in Belgium such as:

-Salary in Belgium and its variation by city, profession, and sector.

-Best paid jobs in Belgium and how to have access to them.

-Working hours in Belgium: the maximum working hours in Belgium are determined to be 8 hrs a day/ 40 hours a week.

-Social benefits and security: when you start a career, you should conduct research on the long-term merits of operating in this field.

 3. Setting a Job Search Strategy to Work in Belgium

This is the part that various job seekers need to focus on. There are several ways to find a job in Belgium. The 3 common ways include the following steps.

-Trying job search sites: Many job seekers resort to the internet to know the available job openings: These sites allow applicants to reach out to current job  vacancies. Some of them are in French Others are in English such as, Fratres, Viva Street, Trovit, Indeed, Monster, etc..

  -Trying employment agencies in Belgium: this is a classic job search technique, where job seekers submit their contact information, CVs in intermediary offices of work. Here is a list of the 5 main employment agencies in Belgium.

Manpower

Randstad

Adecco

Actief Interim

4. Contact Recruiting Firms and Apply:

You can contact Belgian companies that interest you directly by mail or via LinkedIn. Once you have sent in your job applications. You must wait for responses from Belgian companies. Then, if a Belgian company is interested in your profile, you must pass one or more job interviews and one or more recruitment tests. If you are accepted, you will sign an employment contract with the company.

5. Learn about all the different types of employment contracts in Belgium.

When you start looking for your first job, you may come across words like CDD, CDI, Interim, etc.  These are the Belgian acronyms for employment contracts in Belgium. They usually mean the following:

-Fixed-term contract (CDD)

The fixed-term employment contract or CDD is a contract that has a clearly defined start and end date. This is a written document that should be signed before the indicated working period. If there is no end date, the contract will be considered an employment contract for an indefinite period. Fixed-term contracts should be reviewed by the labor laws in Belgium.

-Open-ended contract (CDI)

The open-ended employment contract (CDI) has a specific starting date and an unknown end date. Unlike CDD, CDI contracts can either be entitled orally or in a written form.

-Temporary contract

A temporary contract can be fixed through a temporary employment agency. In this case, the employee is considered hired by the temporary agency, rather than the company, in which he operates. It is generally a short-term contract they can be extended later.

-Replacement contract:

It is a contract arranged to replace an employee who is temporarily absent. It must be concluded in a written form and signed by the employee, before the starting date of work. This contract cannot exceed a period of two years except in the case of a replacement of a person who has interrupted his career.

-First employment agreement

The first job agreement (CPE) is a contract dedicated to young people under the age of 26. This agreement lasts as long as the young person works for the employer, before turning 26 years old.

-Full-time/ part-time contract

The full-time employment contract is arranged to work the maximum working hours in Belgium. The part-time employment contract is a contract that allows an employee to work regularly for the half of the full-time contract.

6. Volunteering:

Volunteering is one of the employment attempts that help beginners enter the job market. Although volunteering in Belgium is mainly a non-paid activity for non-profit organizations, it can culminate in employment, especially if you are targeting humanitarian services such as child care and care-giving. Take a look at; Volunteering in Belgium: why, how, where?

7. Obtaining a Work Visa to Work in Belgium

Foreigners planning to start a career in Belgium must obtain a work visa.  This request is composed of two phases.

-The company that will recruit you must submit an application to the Belgian authorities to obtain a work permit in Belgium. This document must be added to your application file to prove your residence in Belgium.

-You should apply for the appropriate Work permit type in Belgium.

In Belgium there are two main work Visa types: long-term visa and short-term visa. You should provide this permit to work in Belgium.

These were the 7 secrets about starting a career in Belgium. These tips work for both foreign applicants and Belgians. The main tip is always to check the changes of the job market, as employment depends on the country’s economy and its sought-after profiles.