Turkey is much more than a popular tourist destination (though for anyone looking for work in tourism and hospitality, you’re in luck!). Expats from all over the world are drawn to Turkey for its warm climate, infamous Turkish hospitality, and vast array of job opportunities.

The most common job in Turkey, and arguably the most rewarding, is teaching English; however, plenty of other opportunities abound for those who are willing to really do their homework. Keep in mind, the more skilled you are with specific experience, the more likely a Turkish company will be willing to hire you for more permanent employment.

Hospitality Management. Tourism in Turkey is booming and constitutes a major part of the country’s economy. It’s considered the sixth most popular tourist destination worldwide, with tourists bringing in huge revenue annually. This is good news for expats looking to work in hospitality management in Turkey. Hospitality jobs will require minimal working proficiency in the Turkish language, though you can expect a lot of tourists to speak at least a little bit of English. Tourism jobs will typically require at least a ten to 12 month commitment and you can expect an average work week of 30 to 40 hours. Although, depending on your specific job title, you may work irregular hours, especially if you work at big hotels or resorts.

Education. One of the best and easiest ways to get a good paying job in Turkey is by earning a TEFL certificate and teaching English at a local school. As an emerging global leader, the demand for English language skills in Turkey is rapidly increasing; hence, it is getting easier for Americans and other native English speakers to find teaching jobs in Turkey. Although Turkish language proficiency is not required to teach English in Turkey, it is recommended that English teachers learn at least the basics of Turkish to be more productive both in and outside of the classroom. Teachers can expect to work for around 20 to 30 hours a week in Turkey.