Publication date: 18.09.2025
What is professional experience and why is it important?
What is professional experience? What can professional experience be ? It is the sum of knowledge, skills and experience gained during work or other work-related activities. For employers, it is the main criterion for assessing whether a candidate will do their job well.
In Poland, professional experience also plays a role in calculating employee rights, such as the length of vacation (20 or 26 days), the right to a jubilee bonus in some industries or severance pay. For a job seeker, it is a showcase - it shows what professional experience a candidate may have and in what areas he specializes.
What periods have counted towards seniority so far?
Professional experience is most often equated with length of service, which includes all periods of work under an employment contract. This includes probationary periods, fixed-term and open-ended contracts. In addition, labor law recognizes periods of military service, maternity leave, as well as periods of sick leave and rehabilitation benefits. In some cases, periods of unemployment benefits are also taken into account. It is worth remembering that if you have had several contracts that overlap in time, only one period is counted towards your length of service.
Civil contracts and self-employment - what counts?
A common question: do agency contracts and contracts for specific work count towards your work experience? According to labor law, they are not automatically counted towards your work experience during leave, but employers may recognize them as professional experience during employment. Self-employed persons should collect invoices, contracts and ZUS (Social Insurance Institution) certificates to document their activities, if necessary. Self-employment is becoming increasingly common in Poland, and in many industries it is considered a legitimate aspect of experience, especially if the candidate has worked in a similar sector to the one they are applying for.
Do internships, apprenticeships and periods of study count as experience?
How to gain professional experience if you are just starting out? Student internships, postgraduate internships and volunteering are good options. Employers are increasingly recognizing these forms of experience as valuable if they are relevant to your field of study and allow you to develop your skills. It is worth including them on your CV and asking for a document confirming your professional experience in the form of a recommendation. As for work experience, the level of education completed is also important - secondary, post-secondary or higher education is included in work experience for the duration specified in the Labor Code (for example, studies - 8 years).
Are internships considered professional experience? Yes, internships are usually considered professional experience, especially if they are related to your field of study or future job.
How to properly document professional experience - what to collect and how to confirm it
To be able to demonstrate your experience in the future, you should collect a document confirming professional experience :
- Employment certificates are the most important proof of employment,
- Employment and income certificates,
- Copies of contracts and annexes,
- Confirmation of payment of social security contributions,
- Recommendations from employers and contractors.
What confirms professional experience abroad and how to document professional experience ? You must obtain E-301 certificates or documents confirming insurance periods (e.g. A1), which can later be presented to the Polish office. These documents should, if possible, be translated by a sworn translator.
How to calculate total length of service: methods and tools
To calculate length of service, all periods of work are added together. If periods overlap(for example, two employment contracts at the same time), only one of them is taken into account. This can be done manually or using online calculators available on government and human resources websites. It is recommended to keep your ownSimple table with the start and end dates of each job to avoid errors in the calculations.
The impact of experience on employee rights and employment
The more professional experience, the greater the benefits. For example, after reaching 10 years of experience, an employee is entitled to 26 days of annual leave. Experience is also a key factor in determining wages and negotiating wage increases. In many professions (for example, in the public sector), the length of service allowance also depends on experience.
Sometimes the employer refuses to recognize certain periods, such as civil law contracts or work abroad. In this case, it is worth providing all available evidence, referring to the legislative provisions, or submitting a request for amendments to the employment certificate. In the event of disputes, you can contact the National Labor Inspectorate or, as a last resort, apply to the labor dispute court.
FAQ.
Questions
What exactly is considered work experience?
Answer
Work experience includes all employment contracts, periods of leave due to pregnancy and childbirth, military service, sick leave and rehabilitation benefits, as well as training time in accordance with the Labor Code.
Questions
Does an agency agreement count towards professional experience?
Answer
A contract of assignment does not count towards vacation, but may be recognized by the employer as professional experience during the employment process. It is worth asking for a certificate or recommendation confirming your duties and period of work.
Question
Do student internships and practical trainings count as experience?
Answer
Yes, if the internship was in line with your field of study and was related to your future profession. It can be included in your CV and counted as experience. It is worth asking for a document confirming the duration of the internship and the scope of duties performed.
Question
How can I document my experience in running a business?
Answer
It is best to keep printouts from CEIDG (Central Registration and Business Information), invoices, contracts with contractors and confirmation of ZUS contributions. This allows you to demonstrate the period of your entrepreneurial activity and present it to a new employer as valid professional experience.
Question
Where can I check my total length of service and how to calculate it?
Answer
You can calculate your length of service yourself by summing up all periods of work. Online calculators and information from the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) will be useful (for example, in the PUE ZUS). It is worth keeping your own records of employment contracts and certificates to avoid errors.
Question
What to do if an employer refuses to recognize a period of work?
Answer
You can request a correction to your employment certificate. If your request is denied, you can file a complaint with the National Labor Inspectorate or file a lawsuit with the Labor Court. It is worth collecting contracts, pay slips, and other evidence that confirms your employment.
