What is the IT/Software job market like?

[bem]

Hi,

I have the possibility to get a six month working visa in Argentina. Given what I have read on these boards, the job market and overall economic situation doesn't sound good. It could be that certain industries are better/worse off than others.

Does anyone know the state of the IT/Software Development job market? Do you know of any websites I can check? Are there far more developers than jobs? Or perhaps the opposite?

I have nine years software and database development experience. Mostly with Microsoft technologies but not exclusively. Also, I've got about three years of spanish classes (ongoing) but I wouldn't call myself fluent.

I would appreciate getting some info and hearing some opinions. Especially from those in the technology field, but not necessarily exclusively.

Thanks

 

[steveinbsas]

I'm sure there are quite a few individuals who read threads like this who would like to know how it's possible to get a six month working visa in Argentina prior to finding the job.

Are you from a country (New Zealand, for example) that has a special agreement with Argentina to grant working visas before being hired by a company in Argentina?

 

[bem]

It's a working holiday visa scheme between Ireland and Argentina. The details can be found here:

http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gen.../12/crosscare-guide-to-working-holiday-visas/

Any info on my question would be appreciated.

 

[mellowshipslinky]

Hi Bem,


This month I had to enter the Argy IT workforce, I'm at a similar level to you (~10 years, mostly MSFT, programming)

I got picked up by a place inside a week of searching & interviews - the market certainly seems healthy enough. Being a native english speaker is a massive plus as it seems most clients are from the US.

I don't know how they'll view your 6 month time limit tho, in my case I've got permanent residency. You're still in Ireland now right?

The obvious downside is the low salaries! A damn sight lower than I was getting in Aus.


http://www.universobit.com.ar I found to be the most thorough, it's pretty much just I.T. jobs. Also use LinkedIn Job search feature.

good luck , let me know if you're in town

 

[Panini]

Just as an FYI on the Irish Times website it says the age limit is 35, it is actually 30.

In terms of finding a job if you have 3 years Spanish lessons you'll be on good ground. I came here with next to noting and now (6 months later) regularly take calls in Castellano... I'm sure to the amusement of my colleagues.

Can't advise on the employment situation, I found work but it was very lucky. Look on linkedin there's a good few jobs with accenture, google, IBM.

Best of luck.

P.S. - Don't pay USIT or somebody to do you application, it's very very easy to do yourself

 

[thomasb]

Hey Bem,

As mellowshipslinky said, I don't think it's too hard to find an IT job in BA with the right experience. Salaries will be lower than Europe, but can be pretty good by Argentine standards.

Looking at the MS partners might be a good starting point:
http://pinpoint.microsoft.com/es-AR/companies/search?fs=100129&q=
(Globant, Southworks and Lagash are a few I know of from events here).

It will probably be harder for you though as few companies - here or in Europe - takes on programmers for only 6 months (unless it's for a particular project). Most companies have their own way of working and doing things, and it takes a few months for any new person to get settled.

There might be recruiters in BA that offers contract work but unfortunately I don't know any. Maybe someone else knows?

I run a software company but in Salta so not that familiar with the BA market.

Good luck!

-Thomas-

 

[bem]

Thanks to all of you for your replies.

From this small sample it doesn't sound like IT is as bad as the rest of the economy. That's good news.

I'm still in Ireland. I'm trying to decide about going to Argentina or not. Mellow, that's very encouraging that you got a job so quickly. You mention that being a native english speaker is an advantage. How important is spanish in IT companies? What level is acceptable?

Panini - I appreciate the encouraging words about speaking the language. Also, I verified with the Argentine embassy in Dublin that it is 35 now. The change happened in February 2012. Prior to that it was 30. I'll avoid USIT if I decide to make the journey.

Mellow/Thomas - Thanks for the websites. I'll take a look at them. Contracting certainly sounds like a good option given my time contraints. I'll take a look on the sites for those. Good idea about finding a recruiter. If anyone knows a good one, please let me know.

Thanks again

 

[ElQueso]

The guys I know who are dong good IT work-wise here are guys who are either working for a local company who is handling outsourced projects from outside (usually the US or Europe) or work directly for international clients as subcontractors.

I wouldn't count on the market to remain strong - and it's not as strong as it was when I came here in 2006 recruiting programmers - at least .Net programmers. I can't speak to other languages.

As far as 6 months - I wouldn't hire someone for 6 months, unless like someone said I had a specific need for a short-term contract, or possibly unless the person was going to continue working for me long distance after leaving BA.

Here, there is not a whole lot of contract work. The Argentine way of thinking about work doesn't really lend a big contractor work force. You have to be a monotributista, and that's limited as to how much you can make. Right now, according to my accountant, you can only invoice up to 200K pesos a year before you have to register as a business - that works out to a salary of about $2700 USD at the blue rate per month, or $3600 USD at the official rate - neither one of which I consider to be a reasonable salary for someone from the States for 10 years of experience.

The IT industry is indeed stronger than most industries here, but I don't know how long it's going to remain decent with what the government is doing. I know of some big companies who have pulled out in the last year or so, looking for better places to do business.

I don't know that looking for a position for 6 months is realistic, as far as the company goes and as far as getting a resident visa - no one is going to sponsor you for 6 months, you'd have to tell them you plan to commit full time and then leave at six months.

You'd be better off finding projects to work long distance in my opinion.

 

[Panini]

It will probably be harder for you though as few companies - here or in Europe - takes on programmers for only 6 months (unless it's for a particular project). Most companies have their own way of working and doing things, and it takes a few months for any new person to get settled.

It's actually 9 months. 6 months when you arrive and then a trip to migraciones with a police report, 300 pesos and a stamp and you're done in 2 hours, pero bueno

 

[bem]

Thanks for the insight ElQueso. I don't think anywhere is as good now as it was in 2006. Are you an IT recruiter? If so, could you post a link to your company? Or if you know any other good sites besides those posted by Mellow and Thomas, could you post those?

I'd have to work within the terms of my visa so that allows me to work for only a few months. As Panini pointed out, I can extend it once I'm there for an additional three months. So nine in total.

My choice is either give it a try and hope I can find a company to hire me for a limited time or not go at all. Distance work is an option but that presents its own set of challenges.

A big reason to go is to improve my spanish. There are plenty of countries in which to do that. However, Argentina is the only one in which I'd have the documents to work (Spain being the exception, but the job market isn't so hot down there).

Thomas, if you don't mind could you post your company's website?

Thanks for all the posts and advice. Any more websites/info/thoughts are welcome.

Apologies in advance if I'm slow to reply. As of tomorrow afternoon I'll be offline for about a week.