Finding a job abroad is a bit like dating. Not the movie version—the real one. A bit of excitement at the start, then a few weird experiences, maybe some ghosting… and when it finally clicks, you wonder why it didn’t happen sooner.

After years in hospitality, I’ve seen it from all sides. As an employee, as a manager… and now as someone who connects people with the right hotels. And honestly, most problems people have when job hunting are not about lack of opportunities. It’s about not knowing where and how to look.

Today, everything is online. And if you know where to go, you save yourself a lot of time and frustration.

A good example is HOGASTJOB. If you’re aiming for Austria, especially the Alps, this is one of the main platforms. You create a profile (German helps—a lot), upload your CV, add a photo, and start filtering offers. There’s a wide range of jobs—from entry-level positions to management.

Reality check: some employers reply in a few hours, some never do. Don’t take it personally. Hospitality moves fast, and timing often matters more than people think.

Then there’s Hotelcareer, which is more international. You’ll often find bigger hotels, chains, or city-based roles there. If you’re aiming higher or looking beyond seasonal work, it’s worth your time.

But here’s the thing most people get wrong: job platforms alone won’t get you hired.

I’ve seen people send 30 applications and just wait. That rarely works. What works better is sending 5 solid applications. Adjust your CV slightly for each role, write a short and human message (not a copy-paste essay), and respond fast. The first 24–48 hours after a job is posted are usually the most important.

Now let’s talk about something that still makes people a bit uncomfortable—agencies.

I get it. There are a lot of stories out there. But let’s clear one thing up.

A serious recruitment agency—or external recruiter—does not and legally cannot charge candidates. They are paid by the employer. For you, that means one simple thing: you pay nothing, and your salary is the same as if you applied directly.

Now here’s where it gets interesting.

Not all agencies work the same way.

Some agencies actually employ you. You sign a contract with them, they send you to a hotel, and they pay your salary. This is common for short-term roles, projects, or when hotels need to quickly fill positions. It can work, but it’s not for everyone.

Then there’s the second model—and in my view, the more valuable one.

The agency as a recruitment partner. Or simply put: someone who helps you find the right place.

They get to know you, understand what you’re looking for, look at your experience… and then connect you with a hotel that fits. You sign the contract directly with the employer. No middle layer.

And that’s exactly how we work.

We’re not here to “hire and send people out.” We act as an external recruitment partner. We pre-select candidates, save time for hotels, and make sure the match actually makes sense—for both sides.

Because the truth is simple: a bad match shows within the first week. And nobody wants that.

So why do hotels use agencies at all?

Time. That’s it.

They deal with operations, guests, daily issues, seasonal pressure… and on top of that, they’re supposed to go through dozens of CVs and run interviews. Instead, they get a shortlist of candidates who already make sense.

And what do you get out of it?

More than most people expect.

You often get access to jobs that are never publicly posted. Someone presents you in a way that stands out—because there’s a big difference between sending a CV and being recommended. And you get feedback. Sometimes good, sometimes not so comfortable—but always useful.

Let me give you a real-life pattern I’ve seen many times.

Someone says: “I don’t want to use an agency, I’ll do it myself.”

A week later:
20 applications sent
2 replies
0 results

At the same time, someone else:
2 interviews
1 job offer

It’s not luck. It’s direction.

That doesn’t mean you should only rely on agencies. That would be a mistake. The best approach is a combination. Know where to look, know how to present yourself—and when it makes sense, let someone help you.

And maybe one last thought I wish I understood earlier:

The best jobs usually don’t come from desperately searching. They come from meeting the right person at the right time—someone who points you in the right direction.

And that’s really what this whole game is about.