Relocating to Israel: How to Prepare for the Move

Small Nation, Global Opportunities

Israel punches above its weight class as a prime location for international businesses. It’s no wonder why companies from English, French, and German-speaking nations have offices in Israel. This nation of nine million combines a highly educated populace and a forward-thinking culture to create a great business environment.

Israel has emerged as a major economic opportunity over the last ten years. In 2018, Israel ranked 16^th on the official World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report. Israel is also known as the “start-up nation,” with the second-largest number of start-ups in the world. Companies looking to relocate to Israel or do business in Israel will find a hospitable economy and welcoming workforce.

But Israel has its own unique society, business culture, and unspoken rules. So how can companies best overcome cultural and language hurdles in order to successfully do business in Israel? And how can expats moving back to Israel make a smooth and easy transition?

Israeli Business Culture

Israel’s unique location influences its people’s attitude. Situated on the shores of the Mediterranean Ocean, the balmy and sunny weather creates a vibrant and casual atmosphere. Additionally, one of Israel’s prized national characteristics is that of “chutzpah,” or a brash, gutsy attitude towards challenges and setbacks.

These combine for an informal-but-direct business environment. This style of communication can seem rushed or rude to outsiders. Even expats returning to Israel from living abroad may be in for some adjustment.

But Israelis are friendly and don’t intend any insult in their speech. Expats and new arrivals will soon find that this way of speaking makes for efficient, flexible, and creative communication. Doing business and living in Israel is open, upfront, and without hidden agendas.

Israel’s Biggest Business Sectors

Israel’s thriving economy and innovation ecosystem make it a competitive business scene. Its high-tech sector and export-oriented economy make for many available career opportunities. Intelligence and creativity are prized characteristics in prospective employees looking for a job in Israel.

The largest employment openings are in cities like Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem. Cybersecurity is a major industry and employer in Israel and makes up 10% of the turnover in the global cybersecurity market. Manufacturing, transportation, and telecommunications are also major employers.

Israel’s deep ties to the world economy create abundant job opportunities for expatriates in Israel. People who have spent time living outside of Israel have useful cross-cultural knowledge to help facilitate international business.

Making the Move to Israel

Moving to a new country can be hard. Relocating to Israel is no different. But companies can learn how to thrive in Israel’s business environment. And expatriates people returning to Israel can do so easily.

There are three important areas to consider when moving or working in Israel:

1. Learn Cultural Competence

Did you know that an Israeli cover letter only consists of five sentences? Or that it is considered inoffensive to take a call during a work meeting? Many Israeli business practices might seem odd or rude at first. But these are just facets of living and working in Israel. Becoming culturally competent is key for successfully relocating to any country.

Cultural competence is the ability to understand, appreciate, and interact with people from different cultures. It helps break down barriers and makes communication easier. Moving to Israel means that culture shock can be a steep hurdle to overcome. A little learning about the do’s-and-don’ts of living in Israel can make a big difference.

Learning cultural competency makes it easier to make connections with Israeli businesses and integrate into the business ecosystem. Cultural competency also helps expatriates refamiliarize themselves with Israeli society. And all of that makes for good business.

2. Language Training in Hebrew

Hebrew is Israel’s national language. It is the most spoken language and the official language of business. It is also notoriously tricky to learn. Language lessons are essential to learn to speak Hebrew fluently and live in Israel. And that goes double for people with families moving with them.

Many choose to learn a language through a language program. But the best way to learn Hebrew is through a reputable language school. And the best ones give students flexibility on what to learn.

A good language learning service will listen to its client’s language needs. And a good language instructor will personalize your lessons to focus on your desired areas of fluency. Do you want to learn to speak Hebrew fluently? Or focus on Hebrew for business? Quality language schools listen and adjust lessons to fit your goals.

3. Specialty Relocation Services

The best and easiest way to relocate to Israel is with an international relocation business’ assistance. Many people have made the move to Israel. But moving can mean lots of red tape, confusing paperwork, and bureaucratic slowdown. A relocation business’ services are the smartest way to get around relocation difficulties.

Companies like BiCortex Languages take a comprehensive approach to relocating abroad. They go a step beyond providing language classes and help with the act of relocating itself. BiCortex Languages matches clients with international relocation experts who specialize in overseeing every aspect of the move from one country to another.

Their combination of guided relocation support and adjustable language lessons for companies and individuals has meant that thousands of clients have sought BiCortex Languages’ unique and specialized talents. And that has meant thousands of happy and successfully relocated individuals, families, and companies.

There are many reasons to live and work in Israel. There are also many differences between Israel and the rest of the world, too. But with the right knowledge, language training, assistance with translations, and specialty assistance, it can be the best and easiest move that you can ever make.