Career guidance

I want to work in Lithuania during my studies. Are there any restrictions for international students?

For EU and EFTA citizens 

If you are a citizen of a country which belongs to European Union (EU) or European Free Trade Association (EFTA), you can choose and apply for part-time as well as full-time jobs in Lithuania any time during your studies and you do not need to get any work permits. However, do consider your capabilities to balance work with studies (you can get career counsellors’ advice on time management and also discuss other related issues during career consultations).

For non-EU and non-EFTA citizens 

If you are not a citizen of a country which belongs to European Union (EU) or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and if you have Lithuanian temporary residence permit (TRP) for your bachelor or integrated studies, you are allowed to work in Lithuania 20 hours per week during the autumn and spring semester, and you do not have to get any work permit for that. The only exceptions are the University’s officially announced summer break (usually 1 July – 31 August), the internship period included in your study programme and 3 months after the graduation (a temporary residence permit for studies usually is still valid for 3 months after actual end of studies). In the aforementioned cases, you are allowed to work full-time (40 hours per week) and you do not have to get any work permit for that. If you are a doctoral (PhD) student and you have a temporary residence permit, you are allowed to work full-time (40 hours per week) throughout the entire time of your studies. Since the 1st of March, 2021, master students are allowed to work full-time, too. If you have a national visa (D) for your studies, you are not allowed to work during your studies.

If you want to get an advice on job search and other related issues, look through the questions bellow or discuss the issues with our career counsellors during career consultations.

What should I know before starting to look for a job or internship?

As employers choose the right employee, they look whether the candidate: 

- has enough skills and knowledge to perform future tasks,

- is sufficiently motivated for future work in the organization, 

- will be able to adapt to the organization and team.

Therefore, most employers are primarily interested in a candidate’s specific accomplishments, looking for evidence that the person has the skills, interests, values needed for the organization and the job, and will be able to create value for the organization. 

So, to self-assess your abilities, interests, and values, capture and carefully analyze specific examples of your past and personal achievements in various activities - work, social, study, leisure or other. Remember that employers expect students to acquire and improve the competencies needed for work not only in university classrooms, but also by participating in a variety of activities. Past examples and achievements can be described and analyzed as follows: 

1. Situation - the nature of the activities carried out (for example, preparing a project, writing a bachelor's thesis, participating in research, etc.). 

2. The steps you took to make the activity a success (for example, I made 30 calls a day, prepared 20 slide presentations a week, read and analyzed 60 scientific articles a month, etc.). 

3. The results you have achieved (for example, I have increased the budget for educational events by 30%, I systematized the database, defended my bachelor's thesis project very well, etc.). 

4. Conclusion - what skills were needed to perform the activity and achieve the result, what skills, interests and values were revealed in this situation, why this achievement is important to you, why it makes you happy. 

This analysis will help you to: 

- become more aware of your abilities, interests and values,

- be more self-confident,

- see your weaknesses, i.e. mismatch between the available abilities and the skills required for the desired job, then you will be able to purposefully look for ways to change the situation (for example, engage in project activities, find some training in order to gain the skills you need), 

- prepare evidence-based CVs, cover letters or other introductions, 

- prepare for a job interview,

- be ready for negotiations on working conditions.

If you would like to get more advices on job search, sign up for a career consultation.

Prepared according to national student career management information system karjera.lt.

Do I need to speak Lithuanian to find a job in this country?

Lithuanian business world becomes more and more internationally diverse every year, so to find a job without speaking fluently Lithuanian is really possible especially in international companies. Of course, in this case, employers will expect you to speak English or other language well.  

If you know any additional languages, it might be a huge advantage, especially in the call centers, customer service positions or organizations that have international partners. 

Some companies might prefer those, who can speak at least some Lithuanian, as it is much easier to become a part of the team when you understand what do they talk about during a coffee break.

Vilnius university offers Lithuanian language courses for degree students. If you are Erasmus student, you should apply for courses announced here. 

Where can I find job and internship offers?

There are a few websites - some of them are for non-local candidates, the others offer vacancies for everyone interested.

Workinlithuania.lt is a site where international companies and potential employees can meet.

It is an initiative of the foreign direct investment promotion agency "Invest Lithuania" that is aimed at encouraging professionals from abroad to build their careers in Lithuania.

If you would like to get the newest job offers from "Work in Lithuania", sign up here.

AIESEC is a global platform for young people to explore and develop their leadership potential. Youth (up to 30 years) can search for internship (both paid and unpaid) positions around the world, including Lithuania.

MeetFrank is a career app that tells you who wants to hire you and how much they are willing to pay. It is anonymous, so in case you don’t want your present employer to know you are looking for a new job, it might be a good start. You can look for a job in Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Finland, and remote job offers. Registration needed.

Glassdoor is a website where current and former employees anonymously review companies. It is an international job-search platform as well. Registration needed.

LinkedIn is a social network, connecting employees with employers and provides tools to communicate between groups with common professional interests. You can search for job and internship offers as well.

Lithuanian job search platforms

In these platforms some of the offers might not be available if you don’t speak Lithuanian or if you are non-EU citizen. However, if the position is posted in English and you meet the requirements, go for it!

- Cvonline.lt

- Cvmarket.lt

karjera.lt is a national student career management information system. Even though the whole system is in Lithuanian, the job and internship proposals are published in the original language – and quite often it is English.

For EU and EFTA citizens

European Job Mobility Portal: website maintained by the European Union to find jobs in Lithuania and in other EU member countries.

EURES is the European Employment Service. Its mission is to ensure the free movement of workers within the European Economic Area. The consultants provide free consultations regarding the work abroad, inform about job vacancies, help to write applications, curriculum vitae (CV).

If you would like to get more advices on job or internship search, sign up for a career consultation.

What if there are no positions available for me in the job-search websites?

Sometimes, if you have very specific career interests, there might be very few or no offers available for you publicly. However, this does not mean, that your career in Lithuania is doomed. This just means, that you will have to be more proactive. Try one of the strategies bellow, to reach the employers directly:

Use your personal contact network. Other people are especially important for a successful job search. They can provide both support and information on employment opportunities. Evaluate the contacts you have, think about what people can help you find a job, and make an effort to connect with them. Your contact network might include friends, professors, your previous co-workers, relatives, etc.

Google it. Really, sometimes you can find the company you need, just using keywords, such as your area of interest or position and “job”, “internship”, “career” “organization”, “business”, etc.

Apply to the company directly. If you know a company or organization you are dreaming to work for, be brave – contact them! Usually companies have “Career” section somewhere in their webpage, where they post vacancies available. Even if they are not hiring now, you can contact their HR (or administration, if it is a small company). Let them know why you are interested in them and what can you offer.

Check associations’ webpages. There are national and international organizations that unite companies working in the same field. They might be called networks, associations, societies or federations. Look for your area, e.g., European Biotechnology Network, if you study biotechnological sciences. In their websites you can find a list of the companies you can apply for.

If you would like to get more advices on job search, sign up for a career consultation.

How does Lithuanian CV look like?

There are no hard-and-fast rules for writing a Lithuanian CV. However, there are some basic principles common to European CVs:

Be brief. People, who screen incoming CVs do not have much time, especially if they get hundreds of them so it is very important that the CV is as short as possible (if you are a student, you should be able to fit in 1 A4 page).

Be neat. Your information should be structured and clearly presented and that there are no grammatical errors, with proper formatting.

Tailor your CV. You should adapt your CV to specific company, instead of sending one CV to all companies. Make sure, that every information included, represents skills and experience, useful for this position and no unrelated information.

Be honest. It is easy to check facts, so don’t lie in your CV. However, show your best – you do not have to include information that might be at your disadvantage.

Be specific. Describe your achievements quantitatively. E.g., “I was among top 10 students in my program” or “I increased selling by 10%”.

Work on the visuals. Your CV should be visually attractive. You don’t have to make an artwork out of it, however, it should look neat. You can use various templates, e. g. canva.com, wozber.com or templates.office.com.

Other forms of CV:

You can download your LinkedIn profile as a pdf or share as a link.

If you are applying for a position that requires creativity, show it by creating your CV. You can make a video CV (up to 3 minutes long), create your portfolio or introduce your personal webpage.

If you would like to get more advice on CV, sign up for a career consultation.

Prepared according to national student career management information system karjera.lt.

How to write a cover letter?

The aim of a cover letter is to stand out from others, express your aspirations, and demonstrate that you are a good fit for a particular position. It is recommended to always send the CV with a cover letter and tailor both of them to a specific employer. 

If a cover letter is sent as an e-mail text, be sure to write clearly the subject of the email, indicating the job position you are applying for. 

Structure: 

The letter usually consists of the following parts: 

1. Polite address (Dear Ms/Mr ...). It is best to address the letter to a specific person. 

2. Text. As a general rule, not less than 3 and not more than 5 paragraphs:

        - in the first paragraph explain why you are writing;

        - key information that reveals your motivation and abilities (usually 1-2 paragraphs);

        - and the final paragraph (if necessary, briefly summarize the information provided above and specify how to contact you).

3. The end of a letter (e.g. Sincerely and your full name and surname). 

Tips:

• Write the letter in your name, don’t talk for everyone (“I have reached…” instead of “Our team has reached ...”). 
• Write from an employer’s perspective. The more accurate and detailed information you have about the organization, the workplace, yourself and the right job for you, the more accurately and specifically you will explain why you are interested in a particular organization, the workplace and what you can give to them. 
• Be positive. Show a positive attitude towards the organization, your interest in work and chosen career path, do not criticize yourself or others, do not justify yourself, e.g., "Unfortunately, I do not have much work experience ...". 

• Write concisely. Provide only essential information related to a specific organization and job, don’t talk about what employers themselves know, don’t repeat what’s written in your resume (CV). Use your cover letter to highlight your biggest achievements related to a requirement of the position. 
• Be clear, specific and precise. Use quantitative information, highlight only those achievements and skills that you can apply in the position and organization, you are applying to. Avoid generalizations, inaccuracies, unsubstantiated statements and clichés such as "Like all young people", "I have a lot of valuable knowledge “, etc. 
• Use terms that are specific to the area of work you are looking for. 
• Use active forms of verbs, such as “I communicate”, “I can solve,” etc., rather than “I have an inherent ability to communicate”.  
• Don't use the pronoun "I" too often. It is not necessary to start each paragraph with "I" - this writing style can annoy the person reading the letter, as it may seem arrogant and self-centered. 

• Check language and grammar. Mistakes can always occur, but it is better to keep them to a minimum. Ask someone to review your cover letter, especially, if you are not an English native speaker.  

How can I prepare for a job interview?

A job interview is a two-way process in which both the employer and you have to gather information to make the right decision.

During the job interview, employer’s goals are to present the organization and workplace, properly evaluate the candidate, make a proper selection.

In a job interview, your goals are to introduce yourself, show what benefits you can bring to the organization, reveal your skills and achievements, assess their compatibility with the organization and team, get a suitable job offer.

Before talking to a potential employer, you need to do your homework.

Get to know the organization. Explore their mission, vision, values, present projects they are working on, analyze the requirements for the position you are applying for. This information will help you to show your interest in organization and to check if organization’s values and projects really meet your interests.

Prepare to introduce yourself. This will probably be the first question you get, so it is a great chance to create positive first impression. It should not be longer then 2-3 minutes. You can use this structure:

1. Introduction: who you are and why did you decide to apply for the position.

2. Education and training: mention the ones, that are directly related to the organization and the position. Mention your achievements and abilities acquired while studying.

3. Work experience: the most important thing for your current career aspirations, acquired responsibilities and achievements.

4. Job and career goals: why you were interested in this job and organization, what are your career aspirations and interests.

5. The value you can bring: what you can bring to the organization.

6. Brief summary.

Think about the answers to the most common questions:

If you would like to get more advice on how to prepare for a job interview, sign up for a career consultation.

Prepared according to national student career management information system karjera.lt.

What should be included in an employment contract?

The employment contract is an agreement between the employee and the employer by which the employee undertakes to perform a job function for the benefit and under the subordination of the employer, and the employer undertakes to pay remuneration therefor. An employment contract is concluded in writing in duplicate, it has to be prepared or translated into the language employee understands.

Before the beginning of work, the employer must provide the employee with the following information:

- the employer’s full name, code and registered office address,

- the place where the job function will be performed. If an employee does not have a place for the performance of the main job function or if it is not permanent, it shall be specified that the employee works in several places and the address of the workplace from which the employee receives instructions shall be given,

- the type of employment contract (permanent employment, fixed-term employment, etc.),

- a characterization or description of the job function or the name of the work (position or duties, profession, speciality) and, where established, its hierarchical and/or qualification or complexity level/degree,

- the employment commencement date,

- the expected end date (in the case of a fixed-term employment contract),

- annual leave entitlement,

- the notice period for when the employment contract is terminated on the initiative of the employer or the employee,

- the remuneration and components thereof, and the terms and procedure for the payment of remuneration,

- the established duration of the employee’s working day or working week,

- information about the collective agreements in force at the enterprise, specifying the procedure for becoming acquainted with these agreements.

Prepared according to the information of State Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Lithuania

What is the difference between work and internship? Why internship is important for my career?

During university time, you have three options: concentrate completely on your studies to gain a deep theoretical understanding of your study area, work on your financial independence and get a job (any job) or gain experience necessary for your future career by searching for an internship. Your decision might depend on your future goals. In depth theoretical knowledge is important for seeking academic career. Being paid for a job sometimes is a necessity, because you might not be able to get enough financial support from your parents, or having money for fun during your studies is your primary goal. However, internship might be a great advantage if you are planning your future. Let's see when.

You have a clear idea of your future job, but no experience to get it immediately after your graduation. In this case, internship would allow you to get inside the organization you are dreaming about as employers are more willing to accept a candidate without any experience, if he is willing to work without being paid. Then, you will be able to show your best and prove that you are exactly what they need. Companies start to look for new employees at their internship pool first.

You need to develop some skills or learn some methods that are not thought at the university in order to take your planned career path. Although university does it’s best to fulfill the needs of the market, it still can’t give you everything that you need as there are just too much of everything in this beautiful world. Internship gives you a chance to find an organization, laboratory or project, that uses the method you are interested in, or can help you to develop a skill you want – e.g., project writing.

You have no idea what you would like to do after graduation. In this case, internship is a great way to feel in practice how different jobs, tasks and responsibilities feel like, to understand what you would like to do and what you would not. You can use your free time to get in touch with different organizations, hiring the students of your study program and do an internship there, in order to know the tastes of your possible careers.

What if you can’t afford to work for free? If you need money, you can at least choose carefully internship that is included in your study program. Make sure, that you thought about your plans after graduation. If you are not sure, consult career counselor. You can get a part-time job and still have a couple of hours per-week to volunteer for an organization of your interest.

What are the types of internship?

During your studies you can do both - compulsory and voluntary - internships.

Compulsory internship is a part of your study program, therefore, its legal basis is a tripartite internship agreement between the university, the student and the internship organization. The duration of compulsory internship is individual and based on the number of ECTS, but in most cases compulsory internship duration is about few months. If you are either EU or non-EU citizen, during the compulsory internship period you are allowed to work full-time (40 hours per week) and you do not need any work permit for that. Compulsory internship usually is performed individually.

Voluntary internship is not a part of the study program, so the agreement is concluded only between the intern and the internship organization. The duration of a voluntary placement is limited - it can be done in one organization once a year for a maximum of 2 months (in total, a voluntary internship can be done no more than 3 times per year i. e. 6 months). If you are non-EU citizen and your country does not belong to EFTA, you are allowed to take a part time internship (no more than 20 hours per week) and you do not need any work permit for that. Voluntary internship usually is performed individually.

Vilnius University also offers opportunity to do an internship in a team, thus developing hard and soft skills and competencies (teamwork, creativity, non-standard thinking, adaptability, problem-solving, etc.). Such internship is called Smart internship and it is organized in interdisciplinary teams of 5–7 students solving real-life organizations' problems. Smart internship duration is up to three months. Throughout the Smart internhip, the whole process is leaded by the internship supervisor from the University and a mentor from a company. Students can do a smart internship voluntarily or as their compulsory internship, if it corresponds to the requirements. A note about the performed internship is included into student's diploma supplement. What is more, every student gets a smart internship diploma confirming gained competence, and a recommendation from the company.

Both compulsory and voluntary internships usually are unpaid, but some companies offer remuneration. Internships can only be paid if the host organization concludes an employment contract with the student in accordance with the law.

If you would like to get more advice on choosing an internship, sign up for a career consultation.

I am an exchange student (Erasmus+ or other). How can I find a short-term internship during my studies in Lithuania?

Erasmus+ students can do both compulsory and voluntary internships and participate in Smart internship program (see the question “What are the types of internships?” above).

If you have an internship, included in your study plan at your home university and they expect you to have it while you are in Lithuania for Erasmus or other part-time studies, you should try to find a place before you come to Lithuania.

For employers, internship quite often is a way to choose the right candidates for a full-time job, so it might be difficult to find an internship for 2 months or so. However, you can still try to look for an internship using the same sources as for a job search.

If you know a company that you would be interested to work for in your own country, check their own website. Maybe they have a branch in Lithuania? If yes, you can ask them if they have an internship place, with a possibility to continue it when you come back to your home country.

If you would like to get more advice on internship search, sign up for a career consultation.

If I want to get a job after I graduate, do I need to get a work permit?

For EU and EFTA citizens

If you want to work in Lithuania, you do not need any work permit for that. Find a job and employer you like, get an employment contract and start working. If you want to get good advice on how to get a job, read the answers to other questions (see above), write us (see the online enquiry form below) or get an individual career consultation (free of charge).

For non-EU and non-EFTA citizens

In general, after completing the studies, if you get a job, you and your employer will have to go through some necessary procedures in order to get you a work permit (more information about the employment procedures).

If you have recently graduated from university in Lithuania, you have the possibility to apply for a temporary residence permit (TRP) for 12 months for job search or starting self-employment. If you want to get this TRP, you need to apply no later than 3 months after graduation (check the question I am a foreigner who has completed studies...). If you get a job during those 12 months, you can work with this TRP until it ends, you do not need to apply for work permit immediatly.

If your occupation is on the list of professions-in-need and you get this type of job, you can apply for an EU Blue Card (residence and work permit for up to 3 years) (Expedited Blue Card procedure).

If you have an employment contract with Lithuanian company and you plan to work online (living outside Lithuania) all the time, you do not need to get a work permit.

If you want to get good advice on how to get a job, read the answers to other questions (see above), write us (see the online enquiry form below) or get an individual career consultation (free of charge).