Student looking for summer work in Barcelona. Do you have any advice?

Question

Hi,

I'm from student (film&tv) from Toronto, Canada and I'm traveling to Barcelona this summer to work and hopefully improve my Spanish. Spanish is my first language but I don't practise it at home as much as I should and while I can still understand it perfectly, I can not speak it fluently. I have a place to stay free of cost, so I'm not necessarily looking for a full time job. What would you suggest I look for (kitchen work, grocery store, etc?) and how would you go about looking for it (internet, in person/resume?)

I would love to hear from people who have experience looking for work there. Thanks in advance.

Daniel

Answer 1

I think you will find work in a bar but you would need to be there to find the work - just ask around

Answer 2

im from spain. i just miss it but i can advise you that there is alot of theives there that try to manipulate you to get your money so watch out especially at night they'll just steal your money and you wouldn't even know. Also make sure you get along with people their. Dont be pushy or snotty we take it as offensive when we try to help. The spanish aren't the most friendlist people but being nice and showing respect will give you respect back. Your gonna love working in Spain. Look at me im crying i miss Spain. I want to go back home. wait i didn't get to my point. if you work near the beach you get paid more than when your far. And bars are a great start before working in a restaurant.

Answer 3

Daniel,

I have worked in Barcelona and Lloret de Mar for the summer.  See if you can get a job with tourist transfers from airport to the hotels or as a tourist rep...you could use both your English and Spanish. Look up various travel agencies..there are many British Charter companies that would love to have you with your knowledge of Spanish.  There is Cosmos Travel andMy Travel just to name a few. Good Luck and enjoy it...it is a beautiful place to spend a summer!

Answer 4

Hi Danny, it's Albert from Barcelona.

I don't think you're going to have problems to get a job in summer. You can work in a Bar for sure. If you're good looking, you can choose bars near the beach, there they will pay you more.

These jobs are ofered normally by getting in the bar and saying that you need a job, the main guide to fins a job in spain iw www.infojobs.net , but this means a contract and if you are only in Barcelona for one month it's not worth to do it.

Answer 5

I'd say the best way to get a job is in person...you can look on the internet to give you a vague idea, but when you get there just look around and you will find a job. Depending on what you want to do, you may or may not need a resume....

if your working in a kitchen,bar or restaurant, then you will not need a resume, and will probably be paid cash in hand.

But if you want to work in a supermarket/grocery store,estate agents or telephonist then you will need a resume,

but you can have a look when you get there, and see what work is available, hope this helps,

Ive worked in all difrent fieldss in malaga......estate agent, bar work, secretary, receptionist, tele sales, club........the best fun was working in a bar, but it was not the best paid..but if you have free accomodation, guess thats not so important....

:-)