Finding work

Until fairly recently the most common way for jobs to be filled in Spain was through word of mouth. Many jobs, particularly those available to the local population, were found through family or friends and this may still be the case in many rural areas. Even for the expat this can still be a very good way of finding employment if you have good networking skills and have access to a wide circle of friends or acquaintances – many of whom might know of work opportunities.

The large number of English-language newspapers and magazines on the Costa del Sol do carry quite large situations vacant adverts and these are obviously targeted at the expat population – their readership. Many of these vacancies, although targeted at native English speakers, do ask for the ability to speak Spanish so once more you really need to learn the language. Many of the positions on offer are office-based and many are in the property sector or telesales but there are also many positions in the IT industry, which is currently a real growth area on the Costa del Sol. It has to be said that there are not many high-paid, professional or managerial jobs advertised in the pages of these publications.

A new development on the coast is the introduction of employment agencies. Traditionally Spanish companies have been reluctant to use the services of agencies but they are starting to do so. This may be a solution in finding work for better-qualified people in the future. One employment agency was quoted recently in a local publication as stating that the one positive factor here is that there does appear to be less ageism. Well-qualified individuals in their 40s or 50s can find work since many employers recognise the potential benefits of experience. Local employment agencies advertise in the English-language press but you must check them out for yourself. I have not used them so it would be wrong for me to recommend anyone in particular.

Working in Gibraltar

As mentioned earlier, another possibility for work on the Costa del Sol if you live at the western end is to search for employment opportunities in Gibraltar. There are employment agencies in Gibraltar, or you could ask friends to get you a copy of the Gibraltar Chronicle so that you can check out what is available. The benefits to working there is that it is (officially) British. The language is officially English so if you do not speak Spanish there might not be the same problem.

If you are employed in Gibraltar you will pay your tax there and you will be included in the local social security system but this will mean that you will have to consult doctors in Gibraltar or should you need hospital care you will also need to go there. Since Gibraltar is a major centre for financial operations, individuals with banking or finance experience might find it easier to find work. There is also a booming shopping area since the colony is a duty-free shopping centre. As a result, shop work is probably available.

The negative to working in Gib if you live in Spain is simply getting to work every morning. The queue to enter the colony can be very long and it can be even longer to get back out again. In fact, most people who go to Gibraltar every day find somewhere to park in Spain, in La Linea, and they then walk across the border every day and use the bus to the town centre.