Labour & Employment in Spain

In the current Spanish economic market, employment is a tricky business and it’s exceedingly difficult for Spaniards to find work at all no matter what their educational background or past experience. For foreigners hoping to gain employment in the country, not only should you take into account where in the country you wish to set up home, but also what kind of job you are looking for and whether or not that goal is achievable in the current climate.

For starters, choosing the right location is one of the forerunners in cornering that dream job; for example if you’re interested in tourism then the coast or one of the Canary or Balearic islands would be the best place to start. This may seem obvious, but where there are tourists there is a demand for English speakers, giving you an immediate head start against Spanish job hunters. Big cities are also a good place to start, mainly because they are home to more businesses and there is a much wider variety of jobs that may come available. Cities such as Barcelona and Madrid are the hubs of the country, home to massive companies that stretch country-wide, so head-offices like these are probably a good place to start if you want to get into the business sector.

Language is also a very important factor in terms of securing a job. As an English speaker you are already in high demand in many employment sectors, but you must also be able to speak a decent level of Castilian. In addition, in many eastern areas of Spain such as Catalonia and Valencia, knowledge and understanding of the Catalan language is also a requirement. This is where location also comes into play, because if you plan on moving to Barcelona or surrounding area, knowledge of both Castilian and Catalan would be a huge benefit both to your work and social life. In contrast, working in a top tourist destination such as Málaga or on Tenerife would draw on your English or other foreign language skills; however being able to speak a decent level of Castilian is also preferable. In any case, taking language classes before you arrive in Spain is definitely the best way to begin if your level of Spanish isn’t at least conversational.

In addition to location and language, your preferred field of work is highly important, especially if you are planning to stay in Spain for an extended period of time. Working in something that you are both interested in and wish to progress in will make your working life both exciting and challenging which in turn will lead to a more successful residency. Taking the time to consider your work options fully, asking relevant and practical questions during interviews and taking into account the possibilities of promotion and progress within your new work force will ultimately create a more positive and interesting working atmosphere and that little bit of extra time that you spend finding your perfect job will definitely be worth it!