Finding steady work in Rome isn’t as easy as it used to be. Italy is currently (2012) in the grips of a severe financial crisis, and even Italians are finding it difficult to land jobs in their chosen professions. Furthermore, high university rates and a none-too-stable economy mean that many locals have even begun to take positions normally occupied by expats (i.e. jobs in the seasonal tourism industry and in hospitality).
 

Italian employers also seem to have a natural preference for hiring Italian residents, or at least EU residents, as they don’t need to bear the burden of completing work permit paperwork to hire these individuals. On that note, expats dreaming of employment in the heartland of ancient civilization should note that securing that first job in Italy is reasonably difficult thanks to the country’s very tricky permesso di soggiorno per lavoro laws, a permit to stay that is required of non-EU residents seeking employment.
 

Furthermore, Rome also has the highest concentration of expats in Italy, so even if a more desperate local market wasn’t making competition for fewer job opportunities stiff, foreigners would still need to expect a bit of a challenge when it comes to landing a position in Rome.
 

 Additionally, speaking English is no longer enough for expats looking to get secure work in Rome; many companies will not consider hiring an expat until they are reasonably proficient in Italian. 
 

That said, expats who aren’t fluent in Italian can still gain employment in Italy, especially if they have a desirable university qualification. Romans take their tertiary education system extremely seriously, and having a degree and experience in your home country will impress most employers.
 

Those with marketing and communication degrees will have the most success in finding a job in Rome, as well as those who have worked in the business side of the hotel and tourism industry. Additionally, those who can demonstrate an expertise in the digital realm, as in professional social networking, marketing, and English SEO (Search Engine Optimization), also fare well.
 

Larger companies and multinationals that work frequently with international business partners and clients are also still keen to hire English-speaking expats. 
 

As for non-skilled professions, like waitressing jobs, bar-tending jobs and reception positions in hotels, resorts and hostels, these are still available, but are less common than they used to be in Rome. Expats applying for these types of positions will still require basic Italian language skills if they want to put themselves ahead of the competition. Being proficient in another language, such as Japanese, French or German, can also be a serious advantage when seeking employment in the tourism industry. 
 

A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate from an accredited agency is almost always necessary for expats looking to teach English in Rome. 
 

For non-EU residents, the best course of action is to obtain a position before leaving your home country. Intra-company transfers provide a number of opportunities, as do multinationals that regularly hire foreigners. It’s best to pinpoint possible companies that you’d like to work for, and then consult the “jobs” section of their individual company web sites. 
 

For those looking for something a little less corporate, there are a number of online and store-front recruitment and volunteer agencies that will secure expats their first job in Rome, usually in language schools, au pair positions or the tourism industry. Be sure to check that the agency is accredited and trustworthy before signing up. All of these agencies usually require some sort of financial contribution from the applicant for their services.  
 

If that fails, apply for a holiday visa and start looking for a job in Rome. Most Italians disregard CVs or any written documentation, and are more likely to hire an expat once they’ve met them in person. 
 

The Wanted in Rome magazine(fortnightly), the Porta Portese newspaper (the weekly job special edition) and the English Yellow Pages all advertise jobs and are available in English language bookstores. 
 

Additionally, registering with a job centre in Rome (the Ministero del Lavoro, della Salute e delle Politiche Sociali has a list of local centres), can also be a good way to get a foot in the door. It’s often easier for an expat to secure a lower-skilled job, like cleaning, where a proficiency in Italian is not required, than to find employment in the traditional expat industries.
 

Rome is a big city and there are more expats than jobs in most industries. As a result, employers have been known to take advantage of expats, especially those from non-EU residents. Accepting a position without a permesso di soggiorno is extremely unadvisable as it is impossible to seek any legal assistance if the employer underpays, abuses employee rights or refuses to pay all together.
 

In Rome, more than anywhere else in Italy, it is important to be charismatic and enthusiastic during job interviews. Romans are very sociable, and are more likely to overlook formal education or Italian language proficiency if the applicant is someone who they think they can become friends with, and who appears to have admirable and interesting reason for wanting to work in Rome. 
 

Also be mindful that Rome still has a relatively high unemployment rate for a European city, and friends and family often take precedent over foreigners when openings do become available.
 

Non-EU expats are required to have a working visa for entry before they arrive in Italy, a document which must be applied for and obtained in an Italian embassy in the home country. Once in Italy, it's necessary to register with the local Questura (Police Headquarters) within eight days of arriving to obtain a permesso di soggiorno per lavoro or “stay permit” . However, neither  the visa nor the permit can be granted without proof of employment. 

With that in mind, the best option for non-EU expats is to seek initial employment in Rome through a recognized volunteer or employment agency in their home country. These agencies are more likely to organise seasonal or short-term employment in Rome, but will take care of all the paperwork, including the permesso di soggiorno.
 

Once this first working visa has been obtained, expats can seek more permanent employment in Italy as long as they keep their visa updated. The permesso di soggiorno is valid for 3, 6 or 12 months and can be updated as many times as necessary, provided the expat has the proper paperwork from their employer.