Worrying realities of Krakow’s job market
Krakow’s job market was until recently considered stable, but data show a surge in layoffs and a rising number of candidates for individual positions. On one hand, offices report “low unemployment”; on the other, there is a shortage of real, attractive job offers. Many residents give up registering as unemployed – they prefer to act on their own, trying their luck on job portals.
Scandalous job ads and unpaid internships
A job ad for a computer graphics intern in Krakow-Bronowice sparked a big debate, as it offers… up to three months of work for free. Only afterwards was a minimal paid internship financed by the labour office promised. The offer includes “the soul of an artist”, “creativity”, “willingness to grow”, and in return – no pay and no possibility of studying full-time.
Source from OLX: https://www.olx.pl/oferta/praca/staz-grafik-komputerowy-CID4-IDRlNMP.html
Typical requirements in this type of offer:
- Basic knowledge of graphics programs at a minimum
- No employment relationship with another company
- Flexibility and readiness to work in a hybrid model
- Consent to a trial, unpaid work (2-3 months)
- After this period: a paid internship from the labour office
Mass layoffs and competition for every offer
According to GUP data, by September 2025 alone, employers in Krakow reported plans to lay off as many as 3.9 thousand employees – significantly more than a year earlier. The IT, finance and biotechnology sectors are suffering the most. The creative services and marketing sector is seeing a clear decline.
As a result, a single online job ad can attract as many as several hundred applicants. Many candidates send hundreds of CVs a month, often receiving no response at all. This surplus of eager applicants means some employers try to “test” candidates through unpaid trial periods or pay minimum rates.
Job market comparison:
| Year | Unemployment rate Krakow | Number of registered unemployed | Group layoffs (year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2.1-2.2% | ~10,657 | 2,800 |
| 2025* | 2.2-2.5% | ~11,291 | 3,900 |
* Data for September-October 2025.
Why is the unemployment rate “low”, yet there are no jobs?
Many residents are losing faith in the effectiveness of labour offices – they do not register as unemployed, try to find work on their own or emigrate. Official indicators do not reflect the real situation of people who have been without income for months.
In practice, registering with offices provides limited support and blocks access to popular practices, such as taking on unpaid internships or short-term contracts without a contract of employment.
How to escape the trap of unpaid internships?
It is worth looking for offers that clearly state the conditions and pay from the very first days of work. Transparency and employer honesty are today’s foundation. Offers that promise only “room for growth” or “flexibility” without any salary guarantee should raise particular caution.
Practical tips:
- Look for ads with clear salary ranges
- Check whether an unpaid trial period is a way of getting free work
- Check reviews of the employer online
- Consider cooperating with a staffing agency or registering with the labour office to access formal internships
The trap of unpaid placements and fierce competition in the job market mean that young and talented people have an increasingly hard time in Krakow. Without real changes in companies’ approach and state support, unemployment will only deepen – although official statistics will show otherwise.
