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Work for graduates in Luxembourg
If you're on the verge of graduation or have recently graduated and are beginning to seek graduate jobs in Luxembourg, you've come to the right place. In this guide, we'll guide you in your search, whether you've graduated in Luxembourg or another country and are interested in working in Luxembourg.
Luxembourg stands out for its strong position in the job market for recent graduates. According to a Eurostat study, Luxembourg ranks first alongside the Netherlands, with 93% of young professionals finding employment after graduation.
If you're nearing the end of your degree or have recently completed it and are seeking opportunities in Luxembourg, the odds are in your favor. In one of our news articles, we talked about a study recently published by Eurostat on the employment of higher and secondary vocational education graduates in Europe and there you can read: "The first place in the ranking is shared by Luxembourg and the Netherlands, where 93% of young professionals find a job after graduation". This promising statistic suggests you're likely to secure a job swiftly.
But there's more. Additional statistics paint an intriguing picture, particularly for those with master's degrees or specialisations. Luxembourg ranks third in the number of highly-skilled employees in Europe
Statistics show
Eurostat's study on the percentage of highly skilled employees in Europe reveals that in 2022, Luxembourg recorded one of the highest regional percentages of highly skilled employment at 67.4%, trailing behind Stockholm (Sweden, 73.6%) and Utrecht (Netherlands, 68.9%). Highly skilled employees were defined as individuals aged 25 to 64 working in managerial, professional, technical, and associate professional roles.
These insights underscore Luxembourg's strong standing in the job market for recent graduates and its abundance of opportunities for those aspiring to positions of responsibility. While these positions typically demand some work experience, it's often feasible for freshly graduated individuals to access junior managerial or project management positions, among other roles, provided they have substantial internship experience.
If you are not yet planning to enter the job market and you are thinking about studying in Luxembourg, we recommend you take a look at our articles
How to study in Luxembourg?
Top universities in country and fees to study there
Cost of life and budgeting for students
What jobs are demanded in Luxembourg among recent graduates
The Luxembourg job market is vast, making it impossible to cover comprehensively in a single article. To address which jobs are most in demand and available for recent graduates, we'll focus on sectoral studies conducted by the Ministry of Labour (MT) and the Employment Development Agency (ADEM) across three major sectors: finance, industry, and information technology.
According to these studies, the most sought-after positions in these sectors, suitable for recent graduates, include
- In the financial sector: fund managers, KYC analysts, and fund accountants;
- In the industrial sector: engineers and managers in production and R&D;
- In the IT sector: software developers, IT consultants, and data and BI analysts.
Let's now explore some available positions in Luxembourg suitable for recent graduates in these different areas. Many of this positions require education papers, but can be done as a prior experience, as well as these jobs are in a high demand in Luxembourg.
Available roles for graduates in financial field
Fund manager
Working for an asset management company, a major bank, or an insurance company, the fund manager oversees the management of Collective Investment Vehicles, such as Mutual Funds (FCPs) or Variable Capital Investment Companies (SICAVs). Their mission is to optimize investments to ensure the best possible financial return for clients, both individual and institutional.
KYC analyst
The KYC (Know Your Customer) Analyst evaluates and manages non-compliance and money laundering risks within a company, typically in the financial sector. They analyze client identity information, professional activities, and financial transactions to ensure compliance with laws and regulations, playing a crucial role in safeguarding the financial institution against fraudulent use of its services.
Fund accountant
Fund Accountants are financial professionals responsible for managing and maintaining the financial records of investment funds. They perform various accounting tasks, including recording transactions, valuing assets, and calculating fund performance, ensuring accuracy and compliance with financial regulations.
Available jobs in industrial field in Luxembourg
Production engineer
The production engineer oversees the manufacturing process in the product lifecycle from conception to production. They ensure quantity, deadlines, and quality standards are met, organizing production based on engineering specifications. This involves establishing manufacturing processes, planning production, and managing raw materials and production team activities.
R&D specialists
They aim to develop innovative products, processes, or technologies that meet market needs and enhance company competitiveness. Their tasks include project analysis and preparation, product design and development, testing and validation, and corrective action and optimization. They collaborate closely with specialists in various fields to solve technical problems and implement innovative solutions.
Supply chain
Supply Chain Engineers manage material flows, information, and financial data related to goods, products, and raw materials. Their objectives are to reduce costs, lead times, and stocks, ensuring competitiveness in the market. Their role spans from managing material procurement to supplying production lines, operating at the interface between the company's interior and exterior.
Jobs in IT for graduates
Software developers
They design, program, and implement applications and software to meet the specific needs of consumers or professionals, using various programming languages.
IT consultant
Specializing in information and communication technologies, IT consultants work on missions for companies, diagnosing their information system needs, providing advice, and proposing technology directions.
Analytic
Data Analysts exploit and interpret data to derive useful business insights, providing reports to guide management decisions and improve marketing strategies and performance.
How to get a job for graduates in Luxembourg
Fresh out of university and ready to launch your career in Luxembourg? This article equips you with everything you need to navigate the job market. We'll explore top job portals, break down the application documents you'll need, and even provide interview tips to help you land that dream job!
Still in uni?
If you're still in your studies and interested in academic life, you might have the opportunity to work alongside your studies, providing valuable income and work experience before graduation. In our article on How to find a job at a university in Luxembourg, we mentioned that "There are cases where students can get access to certain assistant positions while they are still studying". If you want to explore this possibility, we recommend you take a look at our article.
On the other hand, if you've already obtained your diploma but graduated from another country, you may need to have your qualifications recognized. To assist you in this process, we also have a dedicated article on How to verify higher education documents where you can find all the necessary details.
Job research online and offline
The best place to research the job market is the internet, where numerous job portals host thousands of job listings. These platforms allow you to filter job offers based on the sector you want to work in, the level of education required, or the work experience needed.
Online research
It is great to start with looking at your options online, to understand the requirements, scope of work, and which skills you have and which ones you still have to work on to get for your dream job. Do not be intimidated by the scopes of work, and especially the lack of experience. Every professional had started somewhere!
Among the international portals are eures.europa.eu (the European Union's portal), eurojobs.com, eurojobsites.com, experteer.com, indeed.com, page.com and LinkedIn.com. For local opportunities in Luxembourg, prominent portals include jobfinder.lu, jobs.lu, monster.lu, and moovijob.com. Each portal offers a unique set of opportunities, allowing you to tailor your job search to your preferences and career goals.
Extensive networking
Another effective method is leveraging your network of contacts. Networking is one of the most efficient ways to find employment. Reach out to individuals in your network who work in your field in Luxembourg. This could be friends, former classmates who have relocated to Luxembourg and are now working there, or even former colleagues from your home country who have emigrated to Luxembourg, mirroring your aspirations.
Get yourself a LinkedIn profile
Utilize LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your sector, even if you don't know them personally. When reaching out, introduce yourself and explain why you're contacting them. Some may be even willing to assist you. Expand your professional network by joining professional organisations or attending industry events, which you can also find on the website. LinkedIn is quite popular in the professional ecosystem and assists networking a lot in the Grand Duchy.
Landing a job from another country
If you are lucky enough, get in touch with Luxembourgish companies as a fresh graduate in another country. But remember about the papers: if you're not currently residing in Luxembourg, your first step is obtaining an ADEM certificate with your employer, as mentioned in our article on How to get a job in Luxembourg. This certificate grants your employer the right to hire and establish a labor contract with a third-country graduate.
Applying for a job: documents, cover letter, and more
Finding a job in Luxembourg starts with a strong CV and a solid motivation letter, so we will look at these two points to help you get through this stage smoothly. Plus, give you some advices on documents you will need as a foreigner, so you come prepared for the process.
Curriculum vitae for a graduate
One of the initial steps in securing a remote job in Luxembourg is crafting a strong CV. Regardless of the chosen design, a CV's purpose is to showcase the applicant's value to any selection committee. It serves as the applicant's introduction and is the most critical document in any recruitment process. Essentially, it summarizes academic background and experience, both professionally and vocationally. It also highlights achievements and competencies relevant to the position being applied for. Your CV should be easy to read and clearly explain why you're qualified for the role.
European outline
Producing an impactful CV requires presenting a document that stands out from the competition but within certain standards. In Europe, CVs generally follow a standard format, with some flexibility but also specific constraints. For example, a CV for someone just starting out or with only a few years of experience should not exceed one page.
For detailed guidance on crafting a suitable CV for job hunting in Luxembourg, you can check out our dedicated article and you can also explore the Europass CV model and dedicated website on europa.eu, where some interactive tools allow you to create your own CV.
Motivational letter
The motivation letter is one of the oldest tools used in recruitment history and is part of the traditional job application kit. It should help you stand out from the crowd at the initial selection stage. It's essential to write a letter that aligns with the job profile you're applying for and ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors.
The letter should explain how your skills meet the job requirements, providing recruiters and your future employer with an initial impression of you as a professional and an individual. It's an opportunity to demonstrate how the company can benefit from your expertise and enthusiasm.
How to actually write it?
For additional assistance, read our article in Blog: How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job Application in Luxembourg.
Documents for foreign graduates
If you do not live in Luxembourg and you live somewhere else in the world such as Nigeria or Pakistan and you want to work in the Grand Duchy, you will need to apply for a residence permit, and this will require several documents.
The most common documents and prerequisites to get the residence permit usually include those listed below, although these may vary depending on your circumstances
- Two fully completed copies of the Schengen visa application form;
- Two recent identical passport photos;
- A copy of your passport in its entirety;
- Proof of accommodation;
- An employment contract;
- Proof of payment of the applicable visa fee.
If you want to learn more about the requirements to obtain a work permit in Luxembourg, we recommend you read our article dedicated to this topic.
Salaries for graduated workers in Luxembourg in 2024
When it comes to discussing salaries, Luxembourg generally fares well, offering competitive pay rates. However, for recent graduates starting their careers, it's common to begin with salaries on the lower end of the scale.
While it's challenging to pinpoint salary ranges due to the vast diversity of job roles, newly graduated individuals typically start at the lower end of the salary spectrum. Nonetheless, Luxembourg has established minimum wages based on the professional qualifications of the worker. These are known as qualified or unqualified social minimum wages and provide clarity on the minimum earnings a worker can expect based on their qualifications.
Qualified or non-qualified worker
An individual whose level of education is below the CATP (Certificat d'Aptitude Technique et Professionnelle) or the DAP (Diplôme d'Aptitude Professionnelle) is considered unqualified, while someone with education at or above the CATP or DAP level is considered qualified.
Minimum wages for graduate qualified workers and unskilled workers in Luxembourg
| Age and qualification | of gross min wage | Hourly wage | Monthly wage |
| 18 years and over, qualified | 120% | 17,8330 euros | 3.085,11 euros |
| 18 years and over, unqualified | 100% | 14,8609 euros | 2.570,93 euros |
Up to date
This is the official data for social minimum wage, available at gouvernement.lu in 2024. Check with the resource for the latest data.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are there specific language requirements for graduate jobs in Luxembourg?
Language requirements for graduate jobs in Luxembourg vary depending on the industry and the specific role. While proficiency in Luxembourgish, French, and German can be advantageous, especially for customer-facing roles or positions requiring interaction with local authorities, many multinational companies in Luxembourg operate in English. Therefore, having strong English language skills is often sufficient for many graduate positions, particularly in the finance, technology, and legal sectors.
What are the popular industries for graduate employment in Luxembourg?
The popular industries for graduate employment in Luxembourg include finance, technology, legal services, and European institutions. Luxembourg is a major financial center, hosting numerous banks, investment firms, and insurance companies. The technology sector is also growing rapidly, with companies specializing in IT services, fintech, and cybersecurity. Additionally, Luxembourg's status as a hub for European institutions, such as the European Investment Bank and the European Court of Justice, offers opportunities in public administration, policy, and law.
Do I need to have prior work experience for graduate jobs in Luxembourg?
While prior work experience can enhance your candidacy for graduate jobs in Luxembourg, it is not always a strict requirement. Many entry-level positions are designed for recent graduates, offering training programs and opportunities for professional development. Employers often value qualities such as enthusiasm, adaptability, and a willingness to learn, in addition to academic qualifications. Therefore, while prior work experience may be beneficial, it is possible to secure graduate employment in Luxembourg without extensive professional experience.
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Source: ec.europa.eu, ec.europa.eu, adem.public.lu, www.orientation.com, www.welcometothejungle.com, www.hellowork.com, www.studyrama.com, www.hellowork.com, www.hellowork.com, www.leparisien.fr, www.fiduciaire-lpg.lu, gouvernement.lu
We took photos from these sources: Unsplash, Eurostat
Authors: Luz
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