Recruiting in Turkey

Context
Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Turkey is a vibrant country with a booming and diversified job market. Its young, highly-qualified population, modern infrastructure and booming economy make Turkey fertile ground for companies looking to set up or expand. However, to successfully navigate Turkey’s complex recruitment landscape, a thorough knowledge of local customs and regulations is essential.
Recruitment channels
Employment websites :
Kariyer.net: Turkey's largest recruitment platform, offering a wide reach for job advertisements.
Yenibiris.com: A popular job site, ideal for entry-level and intermediate positions.
Indeed Turkey: A local version of the famous international site, offering a multi-channel search.
Eleman.net: Specializing in entry-level and intermediate jobs.
Social networks :
Facebook : Used for targeted recruitment campaigns, especially in the creative and technology sectors.
LinkedIn Turkey : Used by professionals at all levels for networking and job opportunities.
X (formerly Twitter): Less used for direct recruitment, but useful for employer branding.
Job fairs :
İK Zirvesi: Turkey's largest human resources event, bringing together recruiters and candidates.
Career Days: organized by universities and offering the opportunity to meet talented young graduates.
Trade press:
Hürriyet İK: A section of the Hürriyet newspaper dedicated to job offers.
Kariyer Dergisi: Magazine specializing in human resources and careers.
Verification of references and diplomas
Reference checks give employers a better understanding of the candidate's career path, achievements, transferable skills and fit with the company's culture. What's more, this process can help identify possible red flags, such as inconsistencies in the CV or past performance problems.

Language of communication
The official language in Turkey is Turkish. Nevertheless, significant communities also speak Kurdish, Arabic, Zazaki and other minority languages. To attract a greater number of applicants, it's best to write job ads and conduct interviews mainly in Turkish.
What you need to know before recruiting in Turkey
Employment contracts
Types of employment contracts
- Indefinite-term contract (CDI) This is the most common type of contract, and does not stipulate a specific length of employment.
- Fixed-term contract (CDD) This type of contract is used for temporary assignments or for a specific event whose duration can be objectively determined.
- Part-time employment contract This contract is for employees who work fewer than normal working hours per week.
Working hours
Working hours are generally limited to 9 hours a day, spread over 5 days, from Monday to Friday. Overtime is paid at 150% of the normal rate. In addition, employees can receive an hour and a half of compensatory leave for each hour of overtime worked.
Paid vacations
In Turkey, the duration of paid vacations depends on the employee’s length of service:
Less than six months: Two weeks’ paid vacation.
Six to 18 months: Four weeks’ paid vacation.
18 months to three years: Six weeks’ paid vacation.
Over three years: Eight weeks’ paid vacation.
Public holidays in Turkey
In Turkey, there are several public holidays that recruiters must take into account when planning work1234. Here is a list of the main public holidays:
- January 1: New Year’s Day.
- April 23: National Sovereignty and Children’s Day.
- May 1: Labour and Solidarity Day.
- May 19: Atatürk commemoration, Youth and Sports Day.
- July 15: Day of Democracy and National Unity24.
- August 30: Victory Day.
- October 29: Republic Day.
There are also religious holidays which vary each year according to the lunar calendar:
Aïd el-Fitr: This festival marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting for Muslims.
Aïd El Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice): This festival commemorates Abraham’s submission to God and marks the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Minimum wage
The minimum wage in Turkey is revised annually. In 2023, it is set at 17.002 TL (Turkish lira) per month (approx. EUR 528), varying slightly by sector.
Why choose Salveo for your recruitment in Turkey?
Salveo supports you at every stage of the recruitment process in Turkey, offering local expertise and tailor-made solutions.
Personalized collaboration: We work with you to define the ideal profile, taking into account the skills, experience and corporate culture required.
Innovative search: We use advanced search techniques to identify top talent, including headhunting and analysis of job platforms.
Rigorous selection: Our experts carry out a thorough selection of candidates, with in-depth interviews and detailed reports to help you make informed decisions.
In-depth checks : We carry out comprehensive background and reference checks on candidates, ensuring their integrity and suitability for your company. Salveo also offers complementary solutions such as “portage salarial”, providing optimum flexibility and simplified management of employment contracts.
Salveo is committed to simplifying every stage of your recruitment process in Turkey, enabling you to benefit from the best local talent to support your growth and success.
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