What's the job market like?

[kateh]

Hi everyone,

I'm considering moving to Latin America because the job situation in Europe is in such a dire state and I'm wondering what the situation and what my prospects might be in Argentina. I'm a native English speaker and I'm fluent in Spanish (I lived and worked in Madrid for 3 years). I would be looking at the marketing/media sector and in particular online performance, which in most cases demands a high level of English and most of the companies are multinational.

In short, I would like to know what the unemployment rate is like, whether companies are hiring and what the economy might be like for the next few months/year. If any one has any tips or insights, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Best regards,

Kate

 

[Davidglen77]

The job market is not great, contrary to what is published by the government. Salaries are low (avg. salary is around $5000 ARG = $900 U$), companies are usually somewhat understaffed because they have to stay as lean as possible to operate in the black. The best prospects are for people in the technology sector, programmers PHP, LAMP, database, etc. Those jobs with experience pay a bit better $6000 - $8000 ARG and for senior programmers and programmer / analysts - above $10000 ARG. There are TONS of marketing people here with advanced degrees that speak english, so if that is your selling point, while you may find a job eventually, it will take a while and the salary will probably not be great. Also if you are 35 years or older, it's hard to find a job in any sector, here it's legal to specify age, gender, marital status and even area where they want you to live in job advertisements. I am 42, have 20 years experience in mortgage banking, technology, real estate, retail, etc and it took me 6 months to find a job after intense searching, salary average and the company where I work, while we have a great group of co-workers is very disorganized and frustrating to get anything done. Anyway good luck and make careful decisions, it's hard to undo them sometimes when you travel far away from home.

 

[nicoenarg]

Hi everyone,

I'm considering moving to Latin America because the job situation in Europe is in such a dire state and I'm wondering what the situation and what my prospects might be in Argentina. I'm a native English speaker and I'm fluent in Spanish (I lived and worked in Madrid for 3 years). I would be looking at the marketing/media sector and in particular online performance, which in most cases demands a high level of English and most of the companies are multinational.

In short, I would like to know what the unemployment rate is like, whether companies are hiring and what the economy might be like for the next few months/year. If any one has any tips or insights, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Best regards,

Kate

One of my wife's friends and her husband work in marketing here. They both know English and Spanish (her husband is Argentine, and she is Argentine-American).

They say the market here is saturated, at least when it comes to marketing whether online or off.

As for the general job market. It is better than Europe. But that by no means means that it will stay that way. Look up the economic situation of Argentina before you make any decision to move here. Long term prospects are not so swell and we are headed for a recession by the end of the year, if we're not in one already.

Like David said, government figures are not trustworthy. According to the government inflation is only around 9.9% but everyone is trying to negotiate their salary increase by at least 25% or more because a lot of economists put the inflation figures at at least 25%. In one of the provinces, the police is on strike because they were not happy with a 34% wage increase offered to them and want 60-90% increase.

Import restrictions have resulted in companies, those that are reliant on imports, not being able to do business very well. There are also currency controls that are hell if you're dependent on foreign currency (which I'm assuming you will be if you're coming here without a job at first).

If you're only going to be earning in pesos then I'd say you're in for a lifestyle change. And it doesn't matter how consertively you live right now in Europe, you will have to take it down a whole lotta notches to be able to survive. Keep in mind that you'll be coming to a third world country/region.

Anyway, wait till the end of next year if you can before making your move to Argentina. If you can't wait, I'd look at Chile or maybe Brazil (they speak Portuguese there but the economy is better than Argentina's).

 

[nicoenarg]

Oh the unemployment rate according to the government is 7.1% but that number is exactly as trustworthy as the official inflation figures.

 

[expatinowncountry]

As a career move, in my opinion, it is not worthwhile moving here if you do not have a salary premium or you are in a situation where you do work for a company abroad and get paid in hard currency. Of course, if you need to move for family reasons or you are in the early stages of your career and want to have some fun... then I would consider it.
Probably Chile offers better (more stable) job prospects. I personally would not live in Santiago as it is a boring place (the city grew toward the suburbs so there is no much of an urban active social life).
Good luck!

 

[Ashley]

I agree with the other posters that the market in which you are looking to work here is already pretty saturated. I cannot imagine that it would be any easier for you to find work here than in Europe and salaries are diabolical given the cost of living. You would have the additional problem of finding a company willing to sponsor your visa. I've also heard good things about Chile. Of course, Santiago doesn't really have much on Buenos Aires but there are apparently a lot more employment opportunities and better salaries.

 

[toongeorges]

Hi everyone,

I'm considering moving to Latin America because the job situation in Europe is in such a dire state and I'm wondering what the situation and what my prospects might be in Argentina. I'm a native English speaker and I'm fluent in Spanish (I lived and worked in Madrid for 3 years). I would be looking at the marketing/media sector and in particular online performance, which in most cases demands a high level of English and most of the companies are multinational.

In short, I would like to know what the unemployment rate is like, whether companies are hiring and what the economy might be like for the next few months/year. If any one has any tips or insights, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Best regards,

Kate

Where in Europe have you been looking Kate, since the situation is not everywhere as it is in Spain or Greece. In Belgium, companies are still hiring, maybe slower than usual, but people still find jobs and wages are 5 times higher than in Argentina. There are several international companies in Belgium where it is sufficient to speak English. If you consider taking a job in South America anyway, I would look in Chile and not in Argentina. The situation in Argentina is bad and it looks it will only get worse.

 

[toongeorges]

The best prospects are for people in the technology sector, programmers PHP, LAMP, database, etc. Those jobs with experience pay a bit better $6000 - $8000 ARG and for senior programmers and programmer / analysts - above $10000 ARG.

That is not much even by Indian standards. In Western Europe, a senior software developer earns more than that in 3 days. A qualified IT person can get a job in the EU.

 

[Dublin2BuenosAires]

Where in Europe have you been looking Kate, since the situation is not everywhere as it is in Spain or Greece. In Belgium, companies are still hiring, maybe slower than usual, but people still find jobs and wages are 5 times higher than in Argentina. There are several international companies in Belgium where it is sufficient to speak English. If you consider taking a job in South America anyway, I would look in Chile and not in Argentina. The situation in Argentina is bad and it looks it will only get worse.

Chile / Belgium...not sure which of the two would be more boring !

 

[toongeorges]

Chile / Belgium...not sure which of the two would be more boring !

But they are definitely better for job opportunities as was asked for. Though I can assure you these countries are not as boring as people who say they are boring.