Wow, I can't believe this site!

[Mermaid]

Hello!  



I just wandered into this forum by accident, and is it great!  This is JUST what I have been looking for.  

I\'m currently living in the US (east coast) and still in the "looking into it" stage of moving to Spain.  I am looking at job prospects with my current company in Madrid, and it looks like there are some good available situations. I am coming over in Nov to the Costa Blanca to visit a friend, and hope to have some details ironed out by then so I can drive to Madrid and look around for a place to live.  

I am reading some discouraging news on this board about non-EU residents having troubles.  (I am currently struggling to learn Espanol as quickly as possible, and am fairly pathetic at it, but practicing a lot)!  

Can a single American chick get a corporate-type job in Madrid and survive it?  Is that even realistic?  [addsig]

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[Tracy]

Hey Mermaid...



I don\'t see why not [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif\"] But you WOULD have to learn Spanish, no doubt. YOu sound like you already have one foot in the door. DOes your corp. have an office in Madrid? If that\'s the case, and you learn Spanish, that will be your LEGAL ticket over to Spain. If I were you, I\'d get serious about the Spanish lessons and then apply for a position at your company\'s Madrid location.



Apartment shopping is a heck of a lot easier than job shopping, so take your time in trying to convince your boss to send you to Madrid. Then worry about a home (and heck, if they send you, they should offer housing assistance too!).



hope this helps[addsig]

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[Mermaid]

Yes, Tracy, it does help, thanks very much for the info!  I am lucky enough to be working for a large pharmaceutical company, (Wyeth-Lederle), so hopefully, I'll get some help from them.  (but this is a strictly voluntary move on my part, so I am not sure what support I'll get).  Yes, they have an office in Madrid, plus some at-large sales positions. The legal thing is what I was worried about, and what you said makes me think that it is wise to stick with my company rather than seek a job elsewhere at another pharma company. 

As far as finding a piso or house, good advice!  I have found a lot of information about that, and that part seems fairly straightforward.  I suspect that will be the fun part, since the rents all seem so ridiculously low to me!  (I grew up in the NY metropolitan area, where rents are commonly $2500 a month). 

Spanish-- check.  I am starting an advanced conversational/practical class starting next week, so hopefully I'll get more out of it than the four years I took in college! 

I think the biggest hurdle is getting up the guts to actually speak to a Spanish-speaking person, for fear of sounding like an idiot!   I have already learned the hard way that the spanish word for "embarrassed" is NOT "embarazado " 

How's this:

El queso es viejo y mohoso.

Sound good so far?  Okay, I'll stop being silly and get back to work. 

Thanks again for your input.  It is appreciated!

-Sue

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[Tracy]

HA! I made that EXACT same mistake with embarazado!

WHat's more, I actually made a WORSE mistake at my inlaws house when I first met them...I was limited in my knowledge of Spanish terms as I had learned only a few select words from my husband (then boyfriend). One night we we're having chicken and I said, "passame 'la polla,' por favor." OUCH!

They roared laughing. But as for me...the situation was thoroughly embarazoso!

Btw, Yes, I meant, your KEY is to apply for a tranfer from home. I don't think you'll have much luck going to Spain first and applying for a job at your company there. You'd have to apply here Remember, once in Spain, they'll hire their OWN people, 10-to-1, not foreigners.

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[ericak]

Hello,

I am one of the internet-age miracles. Three years ago I applied for a job here in madrid that was posted on an internet site and I was offered the job. They paid some expenses related to moving but this was three years ago, before the bubble burst (it's a software company).

Chances are that right now you will find it difficult. If the internal mobility plan at your company doesn't work, you might spend some time on Infojobs or Monster (Spain). You never know when you will get lucky and it can help to be in touch with the job market here. I have noticed several Pharma companies here. As a bonus you can practice reading in spanish!

Word to the wise, if you have heard that salaries here aren't great, you heard right. In fact, some of the job postings list a salary range that is downright offensive. That doesn't stop 476 people applying for the job. I assume that the ranges they quote are just code for "We are going to pay you as little as we can get away with" and that in reality they are paying more. I don't think I can handle the truth. So, with this in mind, an internal transfer might very well involve a salary adjustment but nothing like what you might be offered if hired from here (in Spain). Go for it with Wyeth!!

By the way, do you work for Wyeth in Radnor, PA? That's my hometown. 

Well, best of luck to you!!!

Erica

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[Mermaid]

Thanks for the input, you guys!  I certainly plan to secure a job FIRST, before I do ANYTHING rash like rent out my house for two years and move!  I shall certainly heed that advice.  The story about passing the chicken was funny!  I shall remember to speak mas despacio from now on, since I had another embarrassment this morning because I spoke too fast!  It certainly is easy to trip over your tongue and say something stupid. 

No, Erica, I work in Princeton for a division of Wyeth, but have been to lovely Radnor.  I'll wave next time I visit!

I have seen some of the salaries that are offered even internally, and they made my HR person bleed from the ears.  Okay, not really, but she was more shocked than I was.  It is good to know that these things are negotiable.

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[Sibsie]

Mermaid pointed me over here.  I\'m her friend who she\'s going to visit in Costa Blanca.  A place near Javea for those of you who know the area.



I\'m lucky in that I\'m in the EU so have no living or working restrictions for Spain.  Workwise the salaries are on the low side but the cost of living is much cheaper than in England where I hail from and the US.[addsig]

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[inhortte]

hi.... i am new here! this is my first post. i am currently in san sebastian and am looking for something in the IT field (or, if i have to, i will teach english). some of the information here seems positive while other is a bit disconcerting. i'd like to stay for at least three months. is anyone else here in the area?

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[Tracy]

Hey Bob--



Bienvenido! You\'ve definitely figured out the dilemma of this site. We can offer truly positive & INSPIRING info to some, while others have to settle for, as you said, "disconcerting" news. It\'s a totally subjective situation you\'re putting yourself in.



So, you only plan on staying 3 months? I really don\'t believe that your chances of finding work are realisitic, unless you shoot for a work/study program type of thing. Go to our links and check out our jobs database.



If you need more info, or can\'t find something, LET US KNOW!



Tracy[addsig]

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