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Job Hunting in Panama

If you are looking for short-term work, a couple private recruitment agencies are known to specialize in in this. They are Adecco or Manpower. Do keep in mind that your salary for short term work in Panama might not be the best.

As a beach destination and the home of one of the world’s most important canals, there are always opportunities for work in Panama. Here are some of the most in demand positions:

• Teacher
• Corporate positions (usually acquired through networking)
• Property management
• Freelancing (there is less competition for freelancing in Panama than there is in the USA)

Search Engines for Short-Term Work in Panama

• Glassdoor (variety of positions and opportunities)
• Encuentra24 (has more lower-end positions)
• Learn4Good (has more mid to upper-level positions)
• Estas Contratado: (has listings for jobs in Panama and South America)
• Ciudad del Saber: (this is a good site if you are looking for NGO opportunities)
• Konzerta: (has a lot of opportunities listed for Panama)
• Ministry of Work and Labor Development (not a search engine, but it has job vacancies listed)

Also check EasyExpat's job listings.

Forums

Expat and social forums are another resource for job seekers. EasyExpat's Panama forum are a great resource. Search by industry and browse the latest jobs.

Networking

Networking with other expats in person and online is also a great idea. Try to find out how they found work and see if their company has any openings. Use social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedln or expat forums.

Newspaper

Several papers have a helpful classifieds section. There are job offers for executives and professionals, as well as sections dedicated to specific professions, like teaching, computers, and media. Not so many of these papers have listings on their website, so you’ll have to be old-fashioned and pick-up a physical copy. But the most popular websites for classifieds in general that aren’t newspapers are Encuentra 24 and Craigslist.

Teaching Foreign/English Language in Panama

There are many language schools in Panama because of the Panama Canal’s relevance to the country’s trade economy. Panama is littered with language schools.

Most schools will require that you have a TEFL certificate, also known as a TESOL certificate, which is an acronym for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. A TESOL certificate is the most common qualification required to teach English abroad. There are a wide variety of TESOL courses available, ranging from 4-week intensive, classroom based TESOL courses with TEFL International, to TESOL courses studied online. It is even possible to combine a period of online study with a shorter classroom-based course. In addition to standard TESOL certificate courses there are also more specialized courses such as courses for teaching business English, or teaching English to young learners. There is also the more advanced TESOL diploma course.

If you are looking to teach privately, you can also try websites like Teachaway where they have listings for public and private tutors.

Student Employment Contract

An employment contract is standard for any working environment and in the case of student or short-term work, a student employment contract may be used. This usually imposes a time-limit between a student and an employer, with the student getting a salary for his/her work.

Making a formal student work contract is not mandatory (it is possible to sign a standard employee contract instead) but may have additional benefits for a student position.

Discount Cards in Panama

ISIC Card (International Student Identity Card) - An internationally recognized identification card with thousands of discounts in over 133 countries, it is valid for one year from date of issue. Students of ANY age are eligible, as well as faculty members and children to young adults from 12-25. The price is $20, or you can purchase inexpensive travel insurance with the card. Purchase it online at www.myisic.com.

IYTC (International Youth Travel Card) - A discount card for travelers under 31 who aren't enrolled in school, this card offers a smaller range of youth travel discounts. The card costs $25 card. Purchase it online at www.statravel.com/youth-travel-card.

Work Visas for Short-Term Work in Panama

Short term and temporary workers can get a variety of visas to work in Panama that allows them to stay in the country for up to five years under the Marrakech Treaty. The visa must be renewed annually.

Here are some common short-term visas in Panama:

• Short Stay Visas – This is a visa that allows you to remain in Panama for up to 9 months if you are doing one of the following: setting up business subsidiaries, conducting research for an embassy, government or foreign business and analyzing investment prospects.
• Temporary Residency Work Permits – These permits allow foreigners to live and work in Panama for up to six years in positions for the government while executing small business contracts with the government, working with semi-autonomous companies, working as executives or management for a Colon Free Zone company, working as news media correspondents, or as non-diplomats working for a foreign government or international agency.
• Foreign Domestic Workers Visa - This is for people who come to work in Panama as maids, housekeepers, cleaners and other domestic jobs.
• Cultural, Sports, or Educational Visa – This visa allows a person to stay in Panama for up to three months if a company hires them for an artistic, cultural, musical, sports, technical, professional, educational or scientific reason.

For more information on visa, consult the section on "Passport and Visas".

You will find information on voluntary jobs or internship abroad in our other articles on the left column of this page.