Table of Contents
The past few years were decisive for the foreign influx to Colombia, who were looking to find a job in Colombia as an expat while enjoying the country. For instance, tourism has undoubtedly become an important industry in the Colombian economy, many foreigners choose our country to discover the wonders of nature and our cultural wealth, therefore, many decide to study, work, live, and retire in Colombia.
Increasingly, foreign nationals are looking to up-sticks and grow their careers in the land of arepas and reggaeton. The question is: how do you find work as a foreigner in Colombia?
To help you out, we’ve taken a look at the best possible steps you can make to find yourself employment in Colombia, and the most important factors that can influence your success. Let’s get started with where to look for Colombian employment opportunities.
Colombian job search resources
If you’re already living in Colombia, you’ve got the advantage of going physically to different businesses and asking for work. It’s always good for Colombian businesses to be able to put a face to the name, so if you know what kind of work you’re looking for, this isn’t the worst of places to start.
If you’ve not got the luxury of being able to travel to business locations physically, don’t fret. There are a host of job websites containing a range of Spanish and English-speaking jobs:
Types of industries for foreign workers
There are many employment opportunities for foreign workers across various industries in Colombia.
The most popular expat employment choice is teaching. With teaching, getting a Colombian work visa or Colombian volunteer visa is relatively straightforward, especially with an established educational institute like a private school. Depending on the type of school or university you work in, salaries can range from 1.500.000COP as a volunteer to 5.000.000COP starting in a top private school.
Likewise, the Colombian service sector constantly needs bilingual or English-speaking workers. From volunteering at hostels to working in bilingual call centers, Colombia offers a variety of B2C and B2B employment options for foreigners. Oracle and UPS have been known for recruiting customer service representatives in Bogotá.
An up-and-coming demand is in Colombia’s thriving tech industry. Some of Colombia’s more cosmopolitan cities like Medellín, Cali, and Bogotá are now becoming tech startup hubs, particularly with the improvement in their technological infrastructures (internet connectivity has drastically improved in these areas over the past five years). Whether you’re a developer, business analyst, or marketer, plenty of growing tech businesses are on the lookout for English-speaking talent.
What is the average salary for a foreign worker in Colombia?
The average salary in Colombia is $700, which translates to around $2.800.000 COP in pesos. This is approximately two and a half times the minimum monthly wage.
Given that expats, for the most part, have a higher level of English than the Colombian workforce, this means your employment comes at a premium for businesses. Better said, your salary should be significantly higher than the national average. At expatgroup.co, we’ve known some foreign nationals working in prestigious colleges to earn up to $8.000.000COP a month.
Looking for a killer job in Colombia? Expatgroup.co can provide you with the tools to find inspiring work experience.
Where are the majority of the expat jobs in Colombia?
The majority of expat jobs that provide a Colombian work visa are in the bigger cities like Bogotá, Barranquilla, Cali, and Medellín.
If you’re interested in NGO or charity work, you can find opportunities in some of Colombia’s coastal towns and more rural areas. Foundations such as Heart for Change send expats across Colombia to help economically disadvantaged Colombians learn English and find employment for themselves.
Final Thought: Working as an expat in Colombia rocks!
Colombia is home to some of Latin America’s most rewarding and interesting job opportunities.
It’s no wonder, therefore, that so many expats travel to Colombia and end up staying to find work here. If you’re struggling to find the right job, don’t panic. At expatgroup.co, we specialize in helping foreign nationals like you find the proper role for your career development. If you’re looking for some friendly advice or Colombian career guidance, book an appointment to speak with one of our career consultants today.
