Most of these expats work in fields such as real estate and construction, but many come from the auto industry or financial services, said executive search specialists operating on the local market.
“At the time the market crashed, which coincided with what has happening in their countries of origin, expats found themselves in the position of being, literally, unemployed. And not just any kind of unemployed, but the expensive kind, neither sought after by international companies, that have cut their budgets, nor by local companies, that cannot afford them,” said Rudolf Fedorovici, Senior Consultant with the Advice HR company.
“Most expats I have met are disoriented, especially in terms of expectations. They were brought here in special conditions, with packages adapted to their status, and with bonuses fitting financial performance,” Fedorovici added.
George Butunoiu, one of the best-known local headhunters, confirms this trend, saying that the salary claims of expats applying for jobs are not above the market level, which means that their salaries are 30-50 percent lower than one year ago. One of the difficulties facing expats who are trying to find a job on the local market is that most do not speak Romanian, Butunoiu said.
