When it comes to career progression, experience is valuable. In many cases that means experience either in a breadth of roles, in a particular niche or working for a prestigious company. However, a fantastic attribute to feature on your CV is the fact that you’ve worked abroad at some point. Not only does this make you stand out from the crowd, it also proves that you’re courageous, potentially well connected on a global scale, able to adapt to other cultures and you may even have picked up some language skills if you’ve been overseas for any length of time.
If you’re considering moving abroad to further your career, then there’s no need to head too far. Why not take a short flight to mainland Europe and move to Spain for your next role? Here’s what you need to know about working in Spain.
Jobs Available In Spain
Spain is one of the EU’s fastest recovering economies and there is considerable growth in the IT, consulting and industry sectors. Various sectors are experiencing a skills gap at the moment, where they can’t find suitable talent to fill urgent roles. The Spanish government lists occupations where there is a shortage across all regions of the country, and the recruitment process for these roles is generally fast, which will be useful for foreigners with the required skills.
Occupations that require workers include highly qualified positions in computing, business, medicine, real estate, tourism, web development, engineering, and teaching.
While some knowledge of Spanish is typically required in many roles, those who are only English-speaking can seek work in some of Spain’s tourist regions either along the coast or in the larger cities that are popular with vacationers.
Adapting To Spanish Work Life
One of the most famous aspects of living in Spain is partaking in the ‘siesta’. Due to the intense heat, the idea is that workers are given time off in the afternoon to rest and even sleep at the hottest point of the day. But is this the case in the Spanish business world?
If you’re working for a multinational company in one of the major cities such as Madrid or Barcelona, then it’s likely that you’ll still work the typical British pattern of a 40 hour work week with a 1 hour lunch break. Elsewhere, your working hours might stretch from 9am to 8pm with a 2.5-3 hour break in the afternoon to coincide with the traditional siesta. During this time, it’s common to socialise with colleagues over a relaxing lunch.
Relocating To Spain
Moving to Spain is a big step, but it doesn’t need to be a difficult one. Unless you’ve already secured a position, it might be worth heading out there for a quick visit to try and find work and some rental accommodation. It’s usually helpful if you have a bit of cash saved so that you’re able to commit to a deposit on any apartment that you like the look of. Don’t worry if you can’t find the job of your dreams immediately. You can always do some temporary bar or shop work while you hunt for a more permanent role. Once you’ve found a source of income and a roof over your head, all that’s left to do is organise your removals to Spain and to say your farewells to everyone back home. Enjoy your new start!
