Article submitted by Wemploy
Wemploy Recruitment Specialists is a Spanish-based organisation with an unwavering commitment to the true meaning of Recruitment. Established with the aim of continuously providing a professional service tailored to meet each client’s unique requirements, the results to date have escalated Wemploy Recruitment Specialists into one of the market leaders in their field.
Please visit www.wemploy.com
First of all a word of caution. Unemployment is high and finding work might not be as easy as you may imagine. We would recommend that anyone considering working on the Costa del Sol does their research very thoroughly or contacts a professional recruitment specialist such as Wemploy S.L.
You should not plan on obtaining employment on the coast unless you have specialist qualifications or experience for which there is a strong demand; on top of this it is highly recommended that you speak a high level of, or are fluent in, Spanish.
There are two ways of working LEGALLY along the Costa del Sol. Many people do work illegally but it is not recommended, as illegal workers will be prosecuted.
Working for an Employer
Employers require people who speak Spanish and English. It is highly advantageous if you have a third language such as a Scandinavian language or German. Whatever employer you end up working for, make sure that you sign a contract that is longer than six months as this will entitle you to the same rights as a Spanish employee such as health cover, sick pay etc. As in the UK both employer and employee have to pay tax and social security so bear this in mind. In general the rate of pay is much lower than in the UK but obviously the cost of living is cheaper and the quality of life better.
Self-employed
Self-employment or starting a business is how a lot of individuals make a living due to the large English-speaking community. If you have found a gap in the market or have a specialist skill you are most likely to succeed. The coast has many bars, restaurants and building merchants. Some do succeed but competition is fierce.
Once you have decided upon the nature of your business the next step is to enlist the services of a good Gestoria (similar to an accountant) who will help guide you through the mountains of paperwork to set the business up. Once the paperwork is complete you are then able to start trading but you should bear in mind that this may take some time and you should, therefore, have a contingency plan.
All in all, whether you work for an employer or are self-employed, life is very, very good. Just think that instead of a half-hour lunch you get a two/three hour siesta. Moreover, working in the sunshine means working alongside happy, contented individuals. The main areas of employment: are: the Construction Industry, which offers many positions for skilled labour; Sales – there are many opportunities but make sure you can speak Spanish and try to get an employer to make an offer with a contract; Teaching – many opportunities exist because of the large number of British people who have moved here. Many foreign language schools also have branches along the Costa del Sol. In addition, there are plenty of opportunities for skilled IT personnel, Accountants, Administrators and Marketing professionals.
The above is only a general guide and professional advice should be sought
