Looking for a job in Israel? Before you walk into an interview, it’s essential to understand the company’s culture, stability and expectations, especially when it comes to salary norms and work-life balance. This is particularly important if you’re an Anglo oleh, navigating workplace norms that differ significantly from those abroad. With a bit of targeted research, you can enter the interview with a clear, realistic picture of what the company is offering and whether it aligns with your professional and personal needs.
Start with the job ad
A good place to start is the job ad itself. Israeli postings tend to be pretty honest. Phrases like “young and dynamic” often hint that the company isn’t expecting many employees with kids or much of a life outside the office. “Fast-paced” usually means there’s no such thing as a normal workday, and “we’re a family” may be code for “you may never see your actual family again.” The ad’s tone and language can tell you almost as much as the job description.
Read the company website carefully
Next, head to the company’s website. The About page is your first peek behind the curtain. How do they describe their mission and their employees? Are they celebrating flexibility and impact, or bragging about hustling till dawn?
The Careers page is equally revealing. Companies that care about employees usually say so explicitly, and they tend to show it with mentions of hybrid work, family-friendly policies or at least a few photos of staff members who look like they’re older than 26. If they list their team, take note of whether there’s a mix of ages and genders. It’s not a perfect indicator, because companies tend to present a polished version of themselves online, but it does give you a feel for the culture.
Scan their social media presence
A quick scroll through a company’s social media shows you what they choose to highlight. Are they posting about volunteering days, parent-friendly events or professional development? Or are the updates mostly midnight pizza pushes and weekend hackathons? The tone of their posts says more than any HR statement.
Ask the crowd
A popular way for olim to get information is to ask the crowd. There are endless Facebook groups for Anglos in Israel, and members are rarely shy about sharing their experiences. A simple, polite question often brings out former employees, current employees and someone who knows the CEO’s cousin. It’s one of the fastest ways to get unfiltered, on-the-ground impressions.
Reach out to current and former employees
For even more insight, head to LinkedIn and look up people who currently work, or recently worked, at the company. A short message asking what the culture is like or whether the hours are family-friendly can go a long way. If you’re not a fan of cold messaging, check whether you have a mutual connection who can introduce you. You only need one honest conversation to get a sense of what’s really going on behind the office door.
Check employee turnover
Another useful clue is turnover. On LinkedIn, look at how long people tend to stay in each role. If most employees leave after a year, there’s usually a reason. High churn is rarely a sign of healthy management or work-life balance.
Listen to the recruiter
If you’re applying through a recruiter, don’t hesitate to ask subtle questions about culture. Recruiters won’t bad-mouth a client, but they will hint. Something like, “Employees usually describe it as fast-paced,” or “It’s a great fit for someone flexible,” tells you everything you need to know.
Research salary ranges
For salary research in Israel, look at salary reports from Ethosia and AllJobs to get a feel for the correct range you should be aiming for. Glassdoor, although it is limited for Israeli companies, can offer insights into salary ranges and what specific companies are paying. Just read everything with a grain of salt, since small sample sizes sometimes exaggerate the good and the bad.
If you’ve connected to a current or former employee through social media or a friend of a friend, you can ask them privately about salaries. Even if they don’t want to tell you how much they’re making, most people are willing to talk about general ranges, what colleagues earn or whether the company is known for paying at the high, medium or low end of the market.
Walk into the interview informed
The goal of all this research isn’t just to prepare for the interview – it’s to walk in knowing your worth, understanding the culture and being ready to evaluate the company as much as they’re evaluating you. That kind of clarity is the first step toward finding a workplace where you can grow, earn fairly, and still be home in time to put your kids to bed.
