| Finding work in Spain is not easy, especially outside the | | | | Sagasta, 27, 28004 Madrid. |
| majorcities where unemployment can sometimes be | | | | Private Tuition |
| quite high. If you are a memberof an EC country then | | | | There is a high demand for private English teachers |
| you have an automatic right to live and workin Spain | | | | here and manyteachers employed at local language |
| but if not then you may find obtaining your residence | | | | academies supplement theirincome by giving private |
| cardtime-consuming and frustrating. It is also necessary | | | | lessons. You can advertise in localschools, universities |
| for non-Europeansto have their employment approved | | | | and retail outlets and, once you'reestablished, additional |
| by the Spanish Ministry of | | | | students can usually be found through wordof mouth, |
| Labour (Ministerio de Trabajo) and obtain a visa before | | | | particularly for children who have failed their end |
| enteringthe country. | | | | ofyear English examinations! |
| Work In Spain-Seasonal Jobs | | | | Au Pairs |
| There is normally quite alot of work to be had in the | | | | Both men and women between the ages of 18 and 30 |
| major touristresorts from the beginning of May until the | | | | are eligible for ajob as an au pair. The au pair system |
| end of September.naturally enoughthis mostly consists | | | | provides young people with agreat opportunity to |
| of work in the hotel and catering industry withplenty of | | | | travel, improve their Spanish and generallybroaden their |
| casual bar work normally available in English run bars. | | | | education by living and working in Andalucia. |
| Thistype of work is notoriously poorly paid, although | | | | However, the main aim of the au pair system is to |
| you can improveyour wages with tips, but has the | | | | give young peoplethe opportunity to learn a foreign |
| advantage that it is quite easyto get and it is not | | | | language in a typical familyenvironment . Au pairs are |
| always a requirement that you speak Spanish. So if | | | | usually contracted to work for a minimumof six |
| youjust want to work in Spain for the summer then | | | | months and a maximum of a year. Most families |
| this type of work maysuit you best. | | | | require an aupair for at least the whole school year, |
| You probably will not be able to arrange it without | | | | from September to June. |
| being in the countrythough and just approaching bar | | | | The best time to look for an au pair position therefore |
| owners or scouring the job vacancyads. in the local | | | | is beforethe beginning of the school year in |
| English press. | | | | September. Au pair agencies in |
| Couriers and Tour Reps. | | | | Britain are listed in the Au Pair and Nanny's Guide to |
| If you speak Spanish then you may be able to get | | | | Working |
| seasonal workin Spain as a courier,tour guide or sports | | | | Abroad by Susan Griffith. |
| instructors, approachsome of the larger holiday | | | | Construction Industry |
| companies such at Thompson Holidays to seewhat | | | | Many parts of Spain have seen a building boom in |
| they have on offer. | | | | recent years andthe construction industry employs |
| Competition for jobs is fierce and Spanish fluency is | | | | many foreign nationals. Howeveras most of the |
| usually necessary, even foremployment with foreign | | | | building sites are Spanish run it will be necessary for |
| tour operators. Most companies also have | | | | youto have a basic understanding of the language in |
| agerequirements, the minimum being 21, although many | | | | order to be able toget and hold down a job. |
| companies preferemployees to be older. To find out | | | | Self- Employment. |
| which companies operate inthe part of Spain you are | | | | Many people turn to running their own business in |
| interested in check the brochures inyour local travel | | | | Spain as the bestway to make a living in |
| agency or search online but be sure to send in your | | | | Spain.However for the un-prepared this road canbe a |
| applicationwell before the season starts. | | | | minefield of headaches and problems.The best advice I |
| Timeshare. | | | | can give is to do your homework and remember the |
| A quick glance in the local English language | | | | old adage,"by failing to prepare, you prepare to fail." |
| newspapers, will showyou that 75% of the jobs | | | | Get good advice from a reputable professional |
| available are in the timeshare industry. However | | | | aboutthe legal requirements for your particular |
| don'tbe immediately put off,because although there are | | | | business, opening licences,tax declarations etc. It is a |
| plenty of sharks and scams,there are also several | | | | good idea to talk to other peoplewho have started |
| reputable time share companies that havemany years | | | | there own business and thereby learn by their |
| of success behind them and provide contracts, | | | | mistakes. |
| goodcommission rates and opportunities for promotion | | | | Rightly or wrongly there are alot of foreigners resident |
| to their staff. | | | | in Spain whoprefer to employ English speaking people |
| However, all timeshare companies offer the hard sell | | | | so there are plenty of opportunitiesfor builders, |
| approach toprospective buyers and if you are | | | | plumbers, electricians, mechanics, cleaners, |
| uncomfortable with this thenit is not for you. | | | | hairdressers, beauticiansetc. and anyone determined |
| Semi and Permanent Jobs in Spain-Teaching English | | | | enough to work through the red tape and get |
| English schools are mushrooming all over Spain and | | | | establishedshould end up with a good business. |
| offer very good workopportunities for native English | | | | For any sort of work in Spain you will need to obtain |
| speakers. However it is normallyrequired that you have | | | | your N.I.E. |
| some formal qualifications, the most widely accepted | | | | (numero de identificacion de extranjero) which you can |
| being | | | | do through the |
| The TEFL certificate, (teaching English as a Foreign | | | | Oficina de Extranjeros, ( foreigners office) at your local |
| language.) | | | | police station. |
| For a fairly small investment of around 1,000 euros you | | | | Illegal Employment |
| can obtainthis certificate by attending a one month | | | | Illegal employment thrives in Spain where it has been |
| intensive course and you will then be qualifiedto not | | | | estimated that as much as 25% of the officail GNP is |
| only work in Spain but also at many other destinations | | | | due to the black economy with real unemployment |
| world wide. | | | | being at least 10% below the official government figure. |
| Foreign language schools in Spain are generally well | | | | Many unscrupulous employers use illegal labour as a |
| run and the wagesare reasonable, they often provide | | | | means to avoid the paying the high social security |
| accommodation for their teachers tooso it can be a | | | | contributions and to be able to pay low wages for long |
| good way to live and work in Spain. | | | | hours and poor working conditions. Heavy fines are |
| Details of foreign language schools can be obtained by | | | | often imposed when offenders, which includes both |
| contacting. | | | | the employee as well as the employer, are prosecuted |
| Centros de Enseñanzza de Idiomas, Calle | | | | so be warned! |