[semibaron]

I'm going to graduate soon from my masters program (management) in Spain.

The most common way to go to Latinamerica seems to be the international assignments (Expat). However, firms prefer to hire locals and only send expats, which have already worked several years for the company in the home country. This would imply, that I have to work now some years in my home country to have the chance to be sent over. I'm not really willing to take that risk.

Therefore my question to all those living in Latinamerica (Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Mexico): How did you make it to Latinamerica?

[FlyHigher123]

Most of the people going there are living as 'digital nomads' with location independet, often self-empleyed, online jobs. Or having invested into apartments to rent on airbnb. In the big western companies you will only get sent there long-term if you have experience.

[The Beast1]

For someone with a masters degree, it should be stupid easy to get into those latin american countries with a proper work visa. Do some more searching on the internet for ways on how to get these.

[semibaron]

(05-13-2017 12:07 PM)The Beast1 Wrote:  

For someone with a masters degree, it should be stupid easy to get into those latin american countries with a proper work visa. Do some more searching on the internet for ways on how to get these.

Sure, you might get the work visa. Still you want to leave from something right? And I expect local jobs don't pay that well.

[The Beast1]

(05-13-2017 12:15 PM)semibaron Wrote:  

(05-13-2017 12:07 PM)The Beast1 Wrote:  

For someone with a masters degree, it should be stupid easy to get into those latin american countries with a proper work visa. Do some more searching on the internet for ways on how to get these.

Sure, you might get the work visa. Still you want to leave from something right? And I expect local jobs don't pay that well.

Your english is poor and I don't understand what you mean by the bolded phrase.

You want to move to poor 3rd world countries and expect to get paid 1st world country rates?

I think you need to readjust your expectations and consider only moving to the big latin american cities where such pay can be afforded.

[mvp]

I live and work in South America having obtained a Masters in the UK. If you want to move here making big bucks you need to be sent over as an expat. However this is tending to die down more and more with technology and companies cutting costs. Also don`t make the mistake of thinking that being American or European has as much sway as it did say 10 years ago. A lot of the upper middle class and to an extent middle class in these countries attend University in the US or Europe and obviously hold excellent positions with multinationals and local companies.

Personal relationships in South America count for a lot. Whilst this is true in every country, to get into a really well paid job you need to know someone. Whilst a small % of jobs are advertised on LinkedIn or the job boards they are a huge waste of time as usually the candidate has already been selected through their father, brother, cousins being friends with the hiring manager.

My personal experience was rocking up thinking I had it made with my International Career and would waltz into a high paying job that would allow me to save money to start my own business. Instead reality struck and I spent 4 months teaching English before a miracle happened and I actually was offered a job through LinkedIn with a company run by expats.

2 years later money is not great but not bad either in terms of I live comfortably (rent a one bedroom apartment close to nightlife and metro lines which is fully kitted out to my liking. Can afford expensive meals 2 or 3 times a week at restaurants, go to the gym and go out on weekends as well as going on 2 international and 1 domestic holiday a year) and can put aside around $15k to 20K in savings each year. So i live a better lifestyle here than I ever did in London.

I don`t know where your expertise (outside of management) lies but if it is in an in demand industry then maybe you will be able to get hired with a multinational or local company earning good money. My recommendation would be to take a month or two to visit Mexico, Colombia and Peru (Brazil is a ball ache to get a job in currently) and start testing the waters. Of course start sending your CV now to see if you get any online buy in but then take the next step should nothing materialise and go to your target country. You can easily pay the bills teaching English and German whilst you wait for the desired job.

One great aspect of South America is the sheer number of opportunities for you to start your own business. Just look at things in the US and Europe that are missing from here and copy the idea. Lots of guys making money that way. For those of you that already have an idea there are a lot of incubators here looking for expats to set up their start ups in country as governments look to diversify from traditional industries. They usually give you cash to help you set up the company on the condition you stay here for at least 3 years or something like that. I am aware of Chile doing this, may take some research to look into other countries.

Links below:

http://www.startupchile.org/
http://money.cnn.com/2013/11/25/smallbus...-startups/
http://www.start-up.pe/

Finally don`t make the mistake I did or still do sometimes when reading on the forum. Don`t compare your Latam salary with what you would be earning in Europe or the US. It will only drive you crazy! Yes you have a Masters and if you worked in the US or Europe you would be making 6 figures easily whilst here you are earning a quarter or third of that. However when I take a step back and evaluate, my life is so much better than it was when I lived in the UK or US. Also once new opportunities open up I should be able to get back up to those figures here and the money goes a lot further!

[semibaron]

Thanks, that was really helpful.

[ElFlaco]

(05-13-2017 12:07 PM)The Beast1 Wrote:  

For someone with a masters degree, it should be stupid easy to get into those latin american countries with a proper work visa. Do some more searching on the internet for ways on how to get these.

Where I am, you get a work visa once you have a job offer. And hiring tends to happen only to folks on the ground. Kind of a catch 22. A graduate degree means nothing compared to relevant work experience. You won't get paid much more than the locals, if that. (The pay will be 1/4 of what someone in the US would make in the same position.) You don't know the local business culture, so you'd have to be bringing something more valuable to the table, for example, specialized technical skills (not 'management') and experience.

[semibaron]

(05-13-2017 04:27 PM)ElFlaco Wrote:  

(05-13-2017 12:07 PM)The Beast1 Wrote:  

For someone with a masters degree, it should be stupid easy to get into those latin american countries with a proper work visa. Do some more searching on the internet for ways on how to get these.

Where I am, you get a work visa once you have a job offer. And hiring tends to happen only to folks on the ground. Kind of a catch 22. A graduate degree means nothing compared to relevant work experience. You won't get paid much more than the locals, if that. (The pay will be 1/4 of what someone in the US would make in the same position.) You don't know the local business culture, so you'd have to be bringing something more valuable to the table, for example, specialized technical skills (not 'management') and experience.

Exactly. Employers either prefer locals, since they are cheaper and know the local culture, or experienced expats to transfer corporate culture etc.

I've already been 2 months in both Mexico and Colombia and I hadn't the feeling that local employers are fighting to get me on board (in comparison to Japan). MVP probably got very lucky.