International Companies to Spain

Hi All, I graduate in a couple months with a double major in Spanish and International Relations. I am not looking to relocate to Spain but I am going to be doing a job search for international companies looking for sales people and account execs that perform periodic(monthly)sales calls. Basically I want to be able to travel and use my language skills in business. Are any of you business people out there familiar with any US based companies that have offices in Spain? Thanks in advance!

wow jamie there are soooooooooo many, where do you begin. i would start with all major companies and products like, levi's, kraft, hewlett packard....... all major internet browers and providers as well have offices there like. excite, yahoo and so forth. It's just tedius but start looking cause there are alot of companies out there. Go to major job sites and search internationally, alot will come up there. With your degrees and qualifications you have a good chance of finding something. (well alot better of than me) good luck man!!!

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I actually have subscribed to about a million jobsites, even those specializing in people with bilingual skills. The major companies, like the ones you just mentioned, are never there for some reason. Most are either jobs in the low end, Spanish speaking parts of the country that need reception and telemarketers that can speak, or the extremely high end; those that require 5 years or more experience in upper management. Its really pretty frustrating. Anyways I'm going to keep looking. Anymore suggestions would be great I just wasn't aware of what US based companies are in Spain so that helps alot. Thanks.

Hi Jamie!
Did you think about working the other way around?
Getting a Spanish company doing biz in the USA?
I know it sounds to ease but I had to ask.
Good luck
Paco.

Hi Jaime! I think Paco65 has THE BEST idea. BUT, try to name 1 or 2 companies in the USA FROM Spain? I'm sure they exist, but I can't think of any. It would certainly help the transition to their headquarters in Spain.

Also, keep in mind the extremely HIGH unemployment rate in Spain AND the law that says all companies must first consider ALL Spaniards for job before looking elsewhere. I wish you the best of luck, but I think, maybe, your goals are a bit too high. I too would want a job in Spain that would allow me to travel.. and I'm sure they exist, but I would think most of those jobs are going to THE TOP, THE CREAM OF THE CROP! Hopefully you are one of these people.

Along the same lines, having been asked this question about a thousand times ("Hey! Why don't you try to get a job with an 'American' company in Madrid?") and after spending years looking for ways to find meaningful work in Madrid, I have some knowledge about this topic.

While I haven't physically visited any 'American' company in Spain, it's my strong impression that if I did I would see that probably 90+% of employees would be Spanish and the rest, nearly, are fluent in Spanish and European nationals.

How many Japanese nationals work in the Honda car manufacturing plants/factories here in Ohio/USA?? Probably almost none unless they're in higher management. I believe it's the same in Spain.

Again, my strong impression is that if I wanted to "go that route" I would have to start working for "XYZ 'American' Company" here in the USA, work for several years and work up to a position that could allow me to have a "temporary assignment" in "the foreign office".

I could be totally wrong (and hope I am), but..... Best of luck!

Saludos, MadridMan

Thanks for your responses. It does seem pretty unlikely. I guess I was thinking it would be easier because it is not that hard to get work for US companies going to Latin America. Thanks again.

Dear Jaime, there may another way around this;......have you considered a compant in an other EU country that mat need YOUR skills in Spain. Isn't it true that as Versatile gringos , our skill base is valuable to other countries as well, but my psychic impression is that you must GO THERE!! walk the coast, wander in the hills, engorge yourself on the aromas, and then consider, and go right to the source, these cyber interviews are so 'pale' next to your colors........Rev, Mike

How abot working in the hotel industry? Have you tried Marriott or Hyatt?I'm almost positive both have hotels in the peninsula

Hi all,
I am graduating from college in May and I absolutely NEED to move to Spain. I "studied" in Salamanca last spring and I can't stand being away from Spain! I am interested in finding some sort of job in Madrid, I was hoping for some advice but from what you replied to Jaime I got sort of discouraged. But there has to be something? Does anyone know how to go about getting a job teaching English in Madrid? I don't care how much money I make, I just want to be there legally... Thanks!

[This message has been edited by MadridMan (edited 12-16-2000).]

If you need so much to live legally in Spain, why don't you go as a student and matriculate at a language school or the university? Once you live there, you might find an employer ready to organize all the paperwork in order to get a residency visa/working permit. It won't be easy, though. From the non-EU citizens working there, I always heard that they did not find a company ready to do it for them-either they hired them under the table or they were not interested in hiring them because of the lack of papers. Still, it should not be impossible either.
Anyway, if it is crucial that you go now and that you live there legally, I would go to study there.

Hey Jamie- have you taken a look at council www.ciee.org? They offer a service for americans interested in working abroad and help with the work visas, etc..it's not so hard if you can front the $400 or so and be flexible with your work type (usually bar, storekeeper, waiter, etc) ..there are others too..check out goabroad.com workabroad.com

Thanks for the info but I can't move abroad because I have a husband that doesn't want to leave the U.S. and a 2yr old daughter. Plus I can't afford to do service type jobs after I graduate because I have serious student loans to pay back! I'm primarily just looking for career opportunites with international companies that would require regular travel. Gracias.

MAjesty, Sixth Turn mentioned CIEE. Definitely check it out. I don't know if they have a program for Spain, but if they do it is a great way to get started somewhere. I was able to participate in their program right after graduation, and went to France, legally. Had to find my own job though.

I checked out CIEE and sadly they do not offer work programs in Spain.

I have just found this site so sorry if my points have been covered, I have read back and have found some useful tips.

I need to move to Spain in 18 months, i do not need to earn much money as my house sale will buy me a property with some left over to invest. I just want a little job like van driver etc.

Any advice from any body

Steve