Many wonder what it takes to find a job or to legally work in Mexico. I’ve put together a list of 9 tips to finding work in Mexico that might help.
Learn The Language
Being bi-lingual or even tri-lingual when working in Mexico is a huge help, if not an essential qualification to finding work here.
A large amount of business is conducted in both Spanish and English, however since many European and Asian countries are also starting to do more and more business here if you speak Italian, French, German, Japanese, Korean, or any other language it will be a very big selling point on your resume.
Network
As you will find, living and working in Mexico is often not about what you know. Human relationships are something akin to currency here. Many hours of pain and anguish can be reduced by knowing the right people, problems can disappear, things can happen, and jobs can be found if you network.
So right at the very beginning get to know the locals. Register with your embassy, the social clubs, and charity functions. Make friends, talk to everybody to integrate yourself into the community. You will be building your contacts and networking to find out when job opportunities arise.
Look Online
There are an increasing number of internet recruitment agencies and job listings. You may be able to find some good leads on these. Most notable are: One World 365, Gap Year World, Monster.com.mx, Contratacion, OCC, Monografias, and Empleos Manquila.
Have Diploma and Professional Qualifications Authenticated
In Mexico, having a good diploma and professional qualifications is increasingly important. Nothing gets the bureaucratic juices flowing more than seeing official stamps and certifications on as many things as possible. In triplicate. Make sure you authenticate and apostille all of your documents at your local Mexican consulate before coming to Mexico. If you do not they will not be accepted internationally.
Check The Resorts For Seasonal Work
Many resorts have seasonal work for Mexican nationals and foreigners alike. The job requirements are not very high and the hours can be long, but usually room and board are provided. Wages can run from $200-$600 a week.
Usually you sign a contract for up to six months of work. After you may be asked to renew or relocate. The good thing is that once hired the resorts will provide all the legal paper work, only a working knowledge of Spanish may be required, and sometimes they even provide benefits like medical.
Check for resorts in the area you are interested in, often they will interview you right over the phone.
Obtain TEFL Certification
Teaching English as a foreign language in Mexico can be a very rewarding experience. In Manzanillo there are many schools and universities that are looking for qualified teachers. Pay can be decent, and hours flexible. As always having an official TEFL certification will be a huge bonus since they love official documents here.
Register With Chamber of Commerce
One of the best ways for a foreigner to find a job in Mexico is to register with the local Chamber of Commerce. They can provide some of the best leads and opportunities to foreigners looking for well paying work. There are offices in three major cities, including one in Guadalajara.
Read The Local Classified Ads
Local areas have many local papers and classified advertisements, often good up-to-date leads can be found in these. There’s no substitute for good old fashioned grunt work in the local papers.
Network… Again.
If at first you don’t succeed, network again. Finding work as a foreigner in Mexico is not easy. Having good contacts can often make the difference between finding work or not. Integrate and incorporate yourself into the community, be friendly to everybody. Before you know it, one may come through with the opportunity you were looking for.
Hopefully some of this was at least a little helpful for those of you thinking of working in Mexico.
Of course, all of this assumes you have already acquired the appropriate visa and legal documentation to work in Mexico. This can be a daunting, and overwhelming task in its own right. Horror stories of getting a visa to live and/or work in Mexico abound.
If you have a hard time finding work in Mexico, I recommend you look here for some suggestions to work online from home and on your computer.
