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Job Hunting in Barcelona

Job hunting can be extremely difficult in a city like Barcelona with broad appeal, but a difficult economic climate. Spain and Barcelona have been deeply affected by the global economic crisis and suffer from an unusually high unemployment rate. The opportunity for shot-term work is there, but spots are competitive and not particularly well-paid.

The most common seasonal or short-term work is in the tourism industry working in restaurants, hotels or bars. Approach places that particularly cater to the holiday crowd with a CV. You can also search for positions as an au pair using organizations and search sites. Teaching English is another common choice, but there may be greater supply than demand. Ability to speak in Spanish and/or Catalan (along with English) will provide job searchers the best chances. Start very early in the season as positions are quickly filled.

Avis Contact Centers

Avis has an international call center in Barcelona that is frequently hiring. The jobs are primarily call center jobs with high turnover, but offer a great opportunity for part-time or short term work. Avis recruits people speaking Spanish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch and Czech.
To apply: www.avis.es/TrabajaconAvis
email: recruitment@bcn.avis-europe.com

Search Engines

Internships are also available on company's websites. Find companies you would like to intern for and find positions under "recursos humanos" (human resources), "empleo" (employment) or under "Trabaja para nosotros" ("Work for us").

Search Engines
• Loquo
• InfoJobs
• Craigslist Barcelona

EURES

As part of the EU, job seekers can access the European job mobility portal EURES. This resource provides information about job vacancies and the labor market. It also provides information on the living and working conditions, and a CV posting service.

Teaching English

English-speaking expats frequently find work teaching English in Barcelona. Most schools will supply you the intent to employ so you can secure a visa. Note that it is difficult to find teaching work from the end of June until mid-September. August is the worst as many Catalans are on vacation and the entire work climate slows.

Schools:
• International house: www.ihes.com/bcn
• Metropol: www.bcnmetropol.com
• Monkey Business English: www.monkeybusinessenglish.com
• Fluency Idiomas: www.fluencyidiomas.com
• American School of Barcelona: www.a-s-b.com
• Callan School of English: www.callanschool.info
• English Teachers Collective - ETC: www.etcspain.com

Search Engines
• http://www.loquo.com/es_es
• http://www.infojobs.net/

Complete information for teaching English can be found under "Adverts and Recruitment".

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

ISE Card(International Student Exchange Card) - An internationally recognized identification card with thousands of discounts in over 80 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 $25 and you can purchase it online at www.isecard.com/products/index.html.

ISIC (International Student Identity Card) - Full-time students 12 years and older offers discounts on travel rates, accommodations, shopping, entertainment, basic sickness and travel insurance, and inexpensive international phone calls. A passport sized photo is required and the card costs about $25 and is good through December 31st of each year. It can be purchased at www.isic.org/student-card/buy-an-isic.aspx.

IYTC (International Youth Travel Card) - A discount card for travelers under 26 who aren't enrolled in school, this card offers a smaller range of youth travel discounts. The card costs $22 card.

Work Visa

There are no "working holiday visas" for temporary workers in Spain. EU citizens are free to work, but there are rarely short-term visas for workers outside of the EU.

For more information on visas, 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.