Is it easy to find jobs in Central and South America?

by Tiffany
(Zumbrota MN USA)

I'm from North America, is it easy to find jobs in Central and South America when you get there?

Answer:

It's difficult to give any advice when you don't say what skills you have, what kind of job you want...

So very generally, I would guess you are looking for short-term work as opposed to immigration to a new country. This is good news as it's relatively easy to find work for a short time in the 'grey market' - or undeclared.

If you speak Spanish (or Portuguese if you're headed to Brazil) in addition to English, you can make yourself useful. If you have a special skill - translation, office work, technical skills, child minding - you should be able to pick up some short-term work along the way. As a woman traveling, you could also work in a home for a time in exchange for room and board.

I'd suggest you do the following:
- check the Expat blogs and sites in the countries you're visiting - most people post in English, and they're foreign so they'll have a good handle on what is and isn't available. Just search for 'expat blogs' online and you'll find more than you can use!
- check out Transitions Abroad - it's a fabulous resource for anyone planning on working abroad
- post questions on either the LP Thorn Tree or BootsNAll forums under the respective geographical region posts - get good advice from those who have been there, done that before you.

Just remember one thing - in most countries, you may be working illegally so make sure you check this out with locals before you go!

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