Packing up and moving to Spain on a whim is exciting and all, but what about work? Even with a healthy savings account, you'll use it up without an income and then what will you do?
The great thing is that it isn't as difficult to find jobs in Spain as you might think. Check out these tips to get you on the right trail!
Network, Network, Network!
Networking is an important piece for getting any job. People like to hire people they know or based on personal recommendations.
It's even more important for work in Spain where there is a strong culture of hiring through recommendations only. If you know the right people, you are far more likely to get a job than if you have the right qualifications.
This might sound overwhelming. How will you get to know people in Spain before you live there? The good news is that you can start online. Beef up your LinkedIn profile and start making your presence known in professional groups and companies with a presence in Spain.
Check Out Tourist Areas
In tourist areas, there is often a high demand for English-speaking workers. Many shops, restaurants, and tour companies are catering to an audience from the U.K. and North America. Plus, while folks from other European countries may not speak Spanish, they'll probably speak English.
There are also regions in Spain that are heavily populated by expats. These communities seek English-speaking employees to provide services to these groups.
Teach English to Locals
Teaching English is perhaps one of the easiest jobs in Spain to find. Because of the demand for English speakers in tourist and expat areas, the locals want to learn.
The good news is that many places don't even require you to get your TEFL certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). Being a native speaker is enough, especially for work like private tutoring.
Freelance Work
If you feel up to the challenge, you can try looking for freelance work. You can do translations, write blogs, or offer proofreading/editing services.
This type of remote work is great because you can pack up and move whenever you want to. As long as you have a good Internet connection, you can keep working.
The downside is that you can't always count on a steady paycheck. Your workstream may ebb and flow with demand. It's also good practice to have several streams of income in case you suddenly lose a client or two.
Start Looking for Jobs in Spain
The Internet is a great resource to start looking for jobs in Spain before you just pack up and move. It's always nice to have something nailed down before saying goodbye to the familiarity of home.
On the other hand, sometimes a little bit of spontaneity can be a good thing. If you're going to go that route, try going just before the tourist season starts.
That's when companies will be looking for English-speaking seasonal workers. You can at least land something to pay the bills while you look for more permanent work in Spain.
For more great resources and information, check out our blog!