If you are an expat, it sometimes seems there are a handful of suitable jobs and an awful lot of job-seekers. But it can be done. Here's a guide to finding work in Spain.

In Spain, there may be some multinational companies who might offer a job without speaking the language, but if you want to help your chances, improving your language skills should be your first consideration. Employers will always look for a working knowledge of the language.

Getting an offer of employment before you leave for Spain, arriving with professional qualifications or having special skills which are particularly in demand are the best options.

Those who don't have these advantages, often opt to become self-employed or start their own business. Again, having a good knowledge of Spanish and researching business opportunities thoroughly from your own country will always save potential problems.

Another increasingly popular option among some professionals is to live in Spain but use the internet to remain economically active in their country of origin.

During the Franco dictatorship English was not commonly taught as a foreign language, which means today it is still not as widely spoken as in other European countries. This offers an obvious opportunity for all English speakers to teach the language. Even if this is not your main plan, it can provide a fallback until you can get a better job.

Qualifications

Before leaving your country, you should make sure your professional qualifications will be recognised in Spain. This can be  one by contacting the Ministry for Sport, Education and Culture to get a certificate of homologisacion. You have to pay for this and it is currently about E180 for a degree or E140 for lesser qualifications. You have to supply translations and a transcript of the courses/examinations followed at the university. This is usually supplied by the university/college. Getting one of these certificates can take up to 18 months, so this must be done well in advance of applying for jobs.

Those with British medical or architectural qualifications can use a faster system by contacting the National Academic Recognition Information Centre website (www.nairc.org.uk). To find out more, contact the education department of Spanish embassies. In the UK, information can be obtained through the Department for Education and Skills (www.dfes.gov.uk).

Where to find jobs

Once you are in Spain, the state-run National Employment Institute (INEM) has offices throughout the country, offering mostly local positions with a few national posts. It has a good resource library and if you have a residence card — essential for non EU nationals — you can get a work counsellor to offer advice. The website is in Spanish only but does offer good advice not just on how to get a job but how to start your own business or being self-employed. (www.inem.es).

There is also a European Employment Service, EURES (http://europa.eu.int/eures/index.jsp) which can send your CV to INEM offices. But it is not the fastest way to find work.

Private employment agencies are often looking for temporary staff only. Typical are: www.adecco.com, www.flexiplan.com, www.selectt.es. Adecco has introduced a scheme where you can put your CV into the system using cash-point style machines found at metro stations and universities. Adecco can also send personalised job offers to your mobile phone.

There are more specialised agencies for accounting, banking, computer personnel, construction, engineering and technical staff. Executive recruitment and head-hunters are common in large cities. They place adverts in daily and weekly newspapers and trade magazines. Look at El Pais, or La Vanguardia.

There is also El Mercado de Trabajo, a specialist jobseekers' paper. Even if you don't speak Spanish, these papers sometimes carry adverts in English. Other places to look are the International Herald Tribune, Wall Street Journal Europe and the Overseas Jobs Express. There are also the expat publications in Spain; The Broadsheet in Madrid, Metropolitan in Barcelona and Sur based in Malaga. To place a 'situations wanted' advert in the Spanish press, try Publicitas Ltd (www.publicitas.com/uk).

However, as many professionals use the internet to hunt for jobs, popular websites are: www.empleo.com; www.eurojobs.com; www.jobpilot.es (in English); www.laboris.net; www.monster.es; www.trabajo.es and for specialist IT or telecommunications jobs: www.tecnoempleo.com. Expatica has its own jobs site aimed at expats and international workers at www.expatica.com/jobs.

Types of jobs

Seasonal work is a popular source of employment for foreigners. But again, to get the higher paid jobs in hotels or for tour companies, good or fluent Spanish is essential for work in hotels, restaurants or for holiday companies.

Teaching English is popular and Spain has the highest number of language schools in Europe. To work you normally need Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) or English as a Second Language (ESL) certificates. You have to undergo a month-long intensive course in your own country which can prove costly. You should be aware, however, that salaries are low and hours are long. You can expect between EUR 700 and EUR 900 a month or EUR 7.50 an hour. One organisation which offers advice is TESOL-Spain (www.tesol-spain.org).

Giving private English lessons is also an option. Placing advertisements in newspapers or in expatriate publications can bring work. The British Council (www.britishcouncil.es) is one employer in the larger cities, but minimum qualifications are a PGCE in TEFL and two years experience. For managerial positions and postgraduate positions at least five years experience is required. Another good source of information and jobs is the EL Gazette at www.elgazette.com.

There are many types of temporary work which can sometimes be cash-in-hand like working in bars, on building sites etc. These are often advertised in expatriate clubs/papers, or in supermarkets.

Making your application

When writing an application, address it to the personnel director or manager and do your CV in Spanish. The style of the CV should be no different from the kind found in Britain or the US. ie, starting with the most recent work, then qualifications and brief personal circumstances.

The companies will want to know how good your  Spanish is. Better to be honest than claim fluency as you will be found out very quickly in an interview. If you are not  fluent, then get your CV and covering letter translated by someone who is.  

Spanish companies are notoriously bad at answering applications so a follow-up call is a good idea.

However, unsolicited approaches to American, British and other multinational companies with offices or subsidiaries in Spain can be a good idea. To get the relevant addresses, either try the company's own website or Kompass Spain which has a list of companies (www.kompass.es). 

In interviews, formal dress is expected and it is always a good idea to be honest about your level of  Spanish.

All foreigners living or working in Spain for more than 182 days per year must apply for a residence permit. For more information, see: How to get a Spanish residence permit.