What You Need To Know About Working in Israel

Israel is well known for its innovative hi-tech employment environment, and its technological advancements – making it an exciting place to build a career. However, if you have actually tried looking for a job in Israel you will discover that it is not always easy to find a job that you like.

As a career coach based in Tel Aviv, it is my responsibility to be up to date on the job marketplace in Israel. So let’s get into it. I’m going to help you and tell you what you really need to know about working in Israel.

Firstly, here is a bit of high-level information about working in Israel in case you are reading this from abroad…

The standard work week in Israel is from Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday being the weekend. However, depending on your occupation, you may expect to work half a day on Friday as well. For example, teachers (bless their .hearts) work from Sunday to Friday.

Continuing forward, the minimum hourly wage is 31.00 NIS per hour and the minimum monthly salary is 6,000 NIS. Also for your pre-hunt initial information gathering, in 2023 the average pre-tax monthly salary in Israel is 12,000 New Israeli Shekels per month.

As far as salaries and the cost of living is concerned…

Please keep in mind that different cities are more expensive to live in than others in Israel. For example, Tel Aviv is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in. However the city of Bat Yam, which is extremely close to Tel Aviv, is far more affordable to live in.

Secondly, know that your educational background + experience + expertise is super-important.

Naturally, education plays a crucial role in preparing individuals for the job marketplace and in Israel (as most countries), there is a strong emphasis on education and skill development. But more importantly than education, is your relevant experience in relation to the exact job you are looking for.

I always suggest for my coachees to know what kind of job they are looking for prior to searching for employment. There are a lot of reasons for this, but the most important one is to align their existing skills and education to the Israeli marketplace.

And this is what I highly suggest you do first.

The fact is that the Israeli job marketplace is brimming with many opportunities, across many various industries. From technology and cybersecurity to retail sales and tourism – there are definitely sectors that offer job prospects to English speakers in Israel

Everyone knows that Israel is often referred to as the “Start-Up Nation” due to its flourishing hi tech industry… so this is where you should start. Many global technology giants have a presence here, and there literally hundreds and hundreds of startups that are hiring right now… so this is where you should start.

Thirdly, you must create a network of connections into the Israeli job marketplace.

When I moved to Israel I didn’t know anyone at all, so if you don’t currently have a “network of connections” I can fully relate. However, the fact that you don’t know many people in Israel doesn’t mean that you can’t quickly build a few valuable relationships.

You need to use social media – specifically LinkedIn and Facebook to reach out to the relevant strangers, and start conversations.

I will repeat this incase you are super-shy and you want to find a job in Israel but you are struggling.

You need to use social media – specifically LinkedIn and Facebook to reach out to the relevant strangers, and start conversations.

Networking is an essential aspect of the job marketplace in Israel. The country fosters a culture of collaboration and networking, which contributes to the success of its employment ecosystem. Make sure you are actively participating in industry events, workshops, and networking platforms, to increase your chances of finding fulfilling job opportunities.

In Conclusion…

Israel is a land of innovation, education, and entrepreneurial spirit, which makes it a great place to live and build a career. Moreover, the job marketplace in Israel offers a huge range of opportunities for English speakers… just remember to follow the tips above!

Good luck job hunters!

– Claude Massey, Claude Massey Consulting