Valencia is the capital of the autonomous community of Valencia, an attractive port city with beautiful beaches, a cobbled old town, sunny weather and stunning architecture. Spain's third-largest city has a population of approximately 800,000 people, including many expatriates.
Expats are drawn to the city's rich historical, cultural and architectural heritage and the chance to work in a relaxed, well-connected multicultural environment by the Mediterranean Sea. Although job opportunities are available, there is lots of competition, similar to many other regions in Spain.
Economy of Valencia
Valencia is a prosperous region with the fourth-largest economy in Spain. It is a competitive, modern and innovative area home to several ports, three international airports, excellent railway connections and an extensive road network. The Port of Valencia is one of the busiest container ports in Europe and the Mediterranean Sea.
The main employment sectors in Valencia are tourism and the services sector, employing more than 80% of the working population. However, Valencia also has an important industrial base accounting for about 11% of the working population in small and medium-sized companies. Important sectors include paper, wood, furniture, footwear and metal products.
Valencia labor market
Jobs for expats in Valencia are available in many fields, such as trade, tourism, hospitality, financial services and the industrial sector.
Furthermore, prominent national and international companies operating in the region are always looking for skilled and qualified workers. While jobs are available for non-Spanish speakers, a bigger world of opportunities opens up if you have a good command of English and Spanish.
However, expect the search to be challenging due to the larger number of unemployed people looking for work. Compared to the first quarter of 2022, the number of unemployed in the Valencian community increased by 34,600 during the first few months of 2023. That represents a rise of 10.9%.
The total number of unemployed people in the province as of May 2023 is 352,500, according to the Institute of National Statistics (INE). Of those, 152,100 are men and 200,400 are women.
Good to know:
Valencia's average monthly salary of 1,598 euros is 27.2% lower than the average remuneration of 2,194 euros per month in the 27 EU nations.
The work culture in Valencia
People in Valencia work hard, but they also know how to balance their work and personal life. In general, there is a friendly and welcoming work environment where employees are encouraged to collaborate and share ideas. An increasing number of companies are adopting a flexible work culture, allowing employees to work remotely or adjust their working hours to cater to their personal needs. Overall, the work culture in Valencia is focused on achieving success, but it also emphasizes the importance of having a life outside of work.
Brexit changes in Spain
UK citizens no longer have an automatic right to work in Spain. However, you may be able to find a job on the country's regularly updated shortage occupation list. This is a register of professionals in short supply in Spain. If prospective employers want to employ you, they need to demonstrate that a Spanish or EU citizen couldn't fill the role.
These post-Brexit changes do not apply to UK citizens who were legal residents before 2021 and remain legal residents.
How to find a job in Valencia
Expats looking for work in Valencia can follow these tips to increase their chances of finding a job.
Before you start looking for a job in Valencia, ensure your paperwork is in order. The most crucial of these papers is your NIE (Foreigner's Identification Number), which you can obtain from the Spanish consulate in your home country. You also need to make sure you have a work permit if you need one.
One of the most popular and effective ways to find job openings in Valencia is through classified ads in newspapers. These ads are usually categorized by industries, making it easier for you to filter the positions that suit your qualifications and experience.
Building a professional network is important in any job search, and Valencia is no exception. You can join job-related groups on social media and attend expat events and job fairs. You can also join professional groups and get to know industry leaders who may provide you with job leads. Another option is to attend industry events, which is an excellent opportunity to meet people in your field.
Recruitment agencies are an excellent source of job leads, especially for those who are new to Valencia. These agencies usually have a database of job openings. Search for recruitment agencies online, call around and make appointments to learn more.
Valencia has many language schools that cater to expats. These places can also be a source of job leads. You can attend classes and meet with teachers who may know of vacancies.
Online job boards are a great resource. You can search for job openings and filter by location, experience level, industry and other relevant factors. Some popular job board sites include InfoJobs.com, Indeed.es and LinkedIn.
Fluent Spanish speakers may want to consider cold-calling different employers every day to see if there are any openings.
Good to know:
Valencia Actíva (an organization of Valencia's city council) promotes mentoring and training schemes and has news of employment opportunities in the region.
How to prepare for a job interview in Valencia
So after your search, you've landed an interview for your dream job in Valencia. Congratulations! The next step is ensuring you are fully prepared to impress your potential employer and secure the position. It's crucial to take the time to prepare thoroughly for an interview, as it could be the difference between getting the job and missing out. Here are a few top tips on how to ace your job interview.
- Find out as much as possible about the company you're applying to, including its history, mission and values;
- Read the job listing thoroughly and ensure you understand the role's requirements and responsibilities;
- Try to get a sense of the company's culture and the work environment by reading reviews online and speaking with current or past employees;
- If you're not a native Spanish speaker, practice your language skills to communicate effectively with the interviewer;
- Come up with a list of questions you want to ask the interviewer about the role, the company, and the work environment;
- Dress professionally for the interview, avoiding wearing anything too casual or revealing;
- Get familiar with the types of questions typically asked in job interviews, and practice your responses to common questions;
- Arrive for the interview at least 10-15 minutes early to allow for any unexpected delays.
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