Working in Cambodia

Historically, Cambodia has consistently been one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, despite being hindered by a high poverty rate, corruption and a low per-capita income rate. That said, the country's economy showed negative growth for the first time in years due to the effects of the pandemic. Luckily, Cambodia's economy is slowly recovering and showing growth signs once again.

Depending on the type of work expats are interested in, finding a role while in Cambodia may be easier than securing one before arriving in the country. Be that as it may, recruitment agencies usually handle the hiring processes for professionals in advance. Expats may find that the salary offered to an in-country candidate is lower than that of someone outside the country.

Job market in Cambodia

Expats will find that agriculture is the most dominant economic sector in Cambodia. Other booming industries include textiles, construction and garments. Tourism is the fastest-growing industry in Cambodia, with an influx of Japanese and South Korean tourists each year. Expats who are fluent in Khmer or another Asian language will have an advantage when trying to secure a role in this sector.

Teaching English is also a popular choice among expats. As schools prefer to meet the teacher before offering them the job, going to schools personally to submit one's CV can be a more fruitful process.

Finding a job in Cambodia

English-language newspapers such as the Phnom Penh Post and Cambodia Daily publish an array of job listings. Alternatively, the internet is always a valuable resource when looking for jobs. For a fee, expats can also consult a recruitment agency to enlist the help of an expert.

Work culture in Cambodia

As is the case in many Southeast Asian countries, the work culture in Cambodia leans toward the formal and has a clear top-down hierarchical structure. Business decisions tend to be exclusively made by the higher-ups with little to no consultation with employees. For expats used to a more egalitarian workplace, this may take some getting used to.