Many people move abroad to improve the quality of their lives

  Working abroad sounds like an exciting adventure, and to many people that’s exactly what it is.

However, if you are not going to be disappointed it requires thorough preparation.  Most people who move abroad do so to improve the quality of their lives, but you have to be careful that you don't get stuck in a low-paying job, working long hours, just to enjoy a bit of sun at the weekends.

If you seriously want to look for employment in Spain, you'll need to be flexible and not so fussy.  Jobs don't come along very often so you need to be available when the opportunities arise.

So, let’s start with a warning, unless you have a firm job offer then proceed with caution. Finding a job in Spain is difficult unless you have special qualifications or experience in a trade for which there is a strong demand. I would always recommend that first you visit the area and do some research before you make any commitments to a move. Most people do not do enough home work, the thought of the lifestyle and the fine weather are great reasons for you to want to move, but unfortunately, do not rate very highly with any potential employer.

We see many people arrive in Spain and leave a few months later realising that back in the UK they could be earning much more money doing a job that they actually want to do.

WHAT KIND OF WORK?
Take time to carefully analyse why you want to work in Spain and what it is that you have to offer. What kind of work are you looking for? Do you have any qualifications and if so, are they recognised in Spain. Are there any jobs available in your chosen trade in the area where you propose to live? Most importantly, how good is your Spanish, most employers aren’t interested unless you can communicate in a reasonable level of Spanish. For most paid jobs in Spain there is fierce competition and the wages are normally lower than in other European countries but then so are the living expresses.

Spain is currently experiencing a building boom and so unskilled jobs in the construction industry are relatively easy to come by, as long as you can speak enough Spanish to take instructions. There is also a reasonable amount of work to be found in the tourist areas of Spain, but once again you need to speak   Spanish. Bar and shop work in those areas is also available for non-Spanish speaking ex-pats. For both types of work, you should enquire locally since many jobs are never advertised.

If you are looking for TEFL jobs in Spain to teach English?  Then, unfortunately join the queue.  Although the Spanish are keen to learn English, they don't like to pay too much for it and for many of the teaching schools you don't even need to have any qualifications...just speak English!  Again, pay is very poor and job vacancies are few and far between. Here in south east Spain it seems that the majority of English-speaking jobs tend to be for commission-only sales people. Casual work can be found, but employers are often reluctant to offer contracts - so in effect the employment is illegal.


Do’s & Don’ts in an application for Spain
 
Do   Be prepared for a long application process in Spain.

Do get a temporary job in Spain; this will help with your networking.

Do provide examples to prove your achievements.

Do ask if you don’t understand the question.

Don’t underestimate the power of networking in finding a job in Spain.

Don't raise the issue of salaries in the first interviews; this should not be mentioned until the company offers you the job.

Don't criticise former employers.

Don't go over the top – stay calm and stick to the facts.

Finally, many people who cannot find a job decide to start their own business. Beware, in many cases this is the quickest way to lose everything. You are simply asking for trouble and it will come knocking on your door. Your chances of making a living from a bar, restaurant or shop are virtually nil. There is just too much competition and not enough customers. We’ve seen good people working all the hours possible to make a living from a business that is doomed to failure. The usual outcome is that they have to return home, always poorer, possibly a bit wiser.