Czech Republic

Business etiquette

By firm handshake and direct eye contact you express that your intentions are sincere and honest. Business culture in Czech Republic is traditional and formal – top management still have the last word. Use formal pronoun (Pan – Mr., Pani – Mrs.) in business contact, until you are invited to use first name.

Business meetings shouldn’t be scheduled for a Friday afternoons or days near bank holidays. Being late for meeting longer than 5 minutes is misbecoming, so try to arrive on time for appointment.

Before entering to business topics, expect short introductory conversation. You have to distinguish between formal and informal conversation. Interrupting and raising your voice is improper.

Invitations should not be refused because many of business decisions are made out of office.

Getting a job

The most popular type of CV is chronological and you should include there among others all your qualifications, diplomas (specify all dates, names of institutions etc), and language skills. Give detailed job description and specify your responsibilities in your previous jobs.

Your CV and Cover letter should both be typed if not required otherwise. Cover letter should be short (about 10-20 lines). If not demanded, do not include your references.

Job interviews are often in English language. Before you go for an interview, prepare for an answer – “Why you are the right candidate for this job”. You should be also prepared for questions about your job expectations and your previous jobs.

If you don’t understand a question, don’t be afraid to ask for reformulate a question. Look interested and ask questions you are interested in. Don’t answer with short “yes” and “no” – try to elaborate your answers.

Basic information’s

Official language - Czech
Weekly working hours – 40 hours
Daily working hours – 8 hours
Overtime – maximum 8 hours for a week, 150 hours for a year
Minimum wage – 8000 Kč
Currency – Czech Crowns

Unemployment – 7,9 % (January 2007)

EU citizens can work in Czech Republic with no limits.

Bank holidays

1 January – New Year‘s Day and Independent Czech State
1 May – Labour Day
8 May – Liberation Day
5 July – Slavic Apostles St. Cyril and St. Methodius
6 July – Jan Hus Day
28 September – Czech Statehood Day
28 October – Independent Czechoslovakia Day
17 November – Fight for Freedom and Democracy Day
24 December – Christmas Eve
25 December – Christmas Day
26 December – Second Day of Christmas (Boxing Day)
Moveable: Easter Monday