Working Rome

Working in Rome

Working in Rome: Knowing the Language
One of the first thing you should know, is that Italy is certainly a country where you will be expected to have a good working knowledge of the language even if you’re going to be working for an international firm. When you'll be working in Rome, your Italian counterparts and colleagues will not take you very seriously if you do not. So if you're planning to relocate and be working in Rome, you should try and learn some Italian, taking lessons before leaving, and following some Italian language courses here in Rome too.

Working in Rome: The Bella Figura
Another typical Italian feature is the attention to appearance and first impressions, you need to take care of your appearance, because, even if it could sound as a cliche,  it matters a great deal in Italy, and you will always want to cut a ''bella figura'', particularly in the office. You will not be taken seriously if you do not dress to match your professional status. Some first hints are that in an office environment, you shouldn't wear shortsor flip flops. 

Working in Rome: Networking
The next thing you need to know is that working in Rome, but more generally living in Italy, it is not only the case of what you know, but also and above all, of who you know. When working in Rome, you'll need to establish, nurture and develop ties and associations with useful and connected people if you are to get ahead at work or in business. You will need to network and you will need to do it discretely and patiently, diplomacy is an essential feature for those who want to be working in Rome. Professional relationships in Italy can be rather formal, so remember to use professional titles for people at all times, if someone is a doctor or a professor you should address them as such.

Working in Rome: Formalities
Finally, good manners, a respect for the people you meet and deal with professionally, whether occasionally or on a day to day basis, will take you a very long way when living, doing business and working in Rome. In general, professional life is a lot more formal in Italy than in Anglo Saxon countries and the office environment hasn't lost some of that savoir faire that dominated English and American offices in decades past. If you want some more information about working in Rome, check our pages Rome Employment and Work in Rome.

More and different things to come on Working in Rome.