Would you like to live in Spain for several months but you don’t speak any Spanish? You think that the language barrier might be holding you back, and you’re partly right. Here are a few solutions that will help you make your dream come true in a very reasonable time.
Moving to Spain without speaking Spanish
If your project involves finding a job in Spain without speaking Spanish, the best way is to target a specific geographical area and look for the job you want by spreading the word among your friends. You’ll need to plan well in advance, bearing in mind that you’ll need to do a lot of research to find a new job, accommodation and perhaps a means of transport.
The first solution is to ask for recommendations on the Internet, on social networks. By describing your needs perfectly and asking people you know to share your advert, you may be able to reach a recruiter from an English company based in Spain.
Another solution is to look in a Spanish directory for companies in your field of activity and send an unsolicited application with CV and covering letter. A number of Spanish and English websites can help you, particularly those specialising in job offers. Consult the various portals easily and take advantage of their intuitive search engines!
If you speak and write your mother tongue perfectly and can get by in English, Russian, Mandarin… this additional skill can be a real advantage. Remember to mention each of your professional experiences and each stage of your training. Recruiters are sensitive to the accuracy of CVs.
The procedure for finding a job in Spain and getting recruited is more or less the same as in England: the important thing is to stay on your toes and keep an eye on the computer to make sure you don’t miss anything.
Contacting organisations dedicated to expatriates in Spain
The best way to go and live in Spain without speaking Spanish is to get in touch with other expatriates: if some of your friends have already taken the plunge, think about giving them a curriculum vitae and a list of your skills so that they can put your application forward to target employers.
There is also an english alliance in Spain, which supports business start-ups and offers various benefits to English people who want to move abroad, such as language courses and project support. Thanks to this alliance, newcomers to Spain can always find someone to talk to, an adviser to ask questions of and refer to in the event of a problem on the ground. In the same spirit, the English Institute in Spain, set up by the English embassy, promotes cooperation between the 2 countries and has 6 branches, including one in Barcelona.
Recruitment and vacancies at the institute are advertised regularly and can be viewed on the institutfrancais.es website. Be prepared to go on site quickly for a face-to-face interview! Your responsiveness will be appreciated and you’ll already be one step ahead of your competitors. Do you prefer to be on site to do your research? Having a pied-à-terre can save you a lot of travel and help you cope better with the change.
Once you’ve found a English company recruiting in Spain, you’ll need to look for temporary accommodation. Once you’re there, you’ll have plenty of time to look for the ideal flat or house. Don’t hesitate to visit websites specialising in property in Spain, such as Loca Barcelona!
