‘I quit! Quito here I come!’ How tempting it might be to say those words to your boss and answer the siren call of this Unesco World Heritage city. However, before you resign from your current position, take a minute to contemplate that you may need to support yourself while living in the capital of Ecuador. This article takes you through a tour of working opportunities available to expats in Quito.
In the footsteps of tourists
Quito's central geographic location makes it the heart of tourism of Ecuador, as many tours of the country begin their journey in Quito. Quito offers a vast selection of sites to see and experience: museums, markets, gardens, history, hiking, and shopping. The renovations and revitalization of the last decade have given back much of the splendour of the original World Heritage Site, and Quito is increasingly attractive to visitors from all over the world who come to visit the many beautiful and historical areas.
To begin a job search in Quito, you may decide to start with the various avenues of tourism, including bars, restaurants, hotels, travel and tour agencies, as well as internet cafes that cater to tourists. These businesses are all more likely to be looking for foreign staff members who can relate easily to their clientele.
Good to know:
When looking for employment, do opt for business attire, as Quito's dress code is conservative, as is the city in general. You will never see a working person in shorts or sandals. A suit, or trousers and a button-down shirt, are a must for gentlemen, while ladies will impress in a pantsuit, slacks or a dress that provides adequate coverage. As Quito has a tendency to go through all 4 seasons in just one day in terms of weather, plan appropriate layers for different case scenarios. An umbrella will come in handy either for rain or shielding you from the equatorial sun, keeping you looking fresh during your job search.
Enseñar Inglés
We're sorry if you were immigrating to Ecuador in the hopes of never again hearing a single word of English, but there's just no escaping that in Quito. If you're an expat looking for a job, the tongue of Shakespeare will pop up as one of the (if not the) most likely money-making options you have, no matter where you go. Expect no different in Quito. The country's capital is exposed to much contact with the US, both via multinational companies implanted in Quito, through trade and also with tourism. Quiteños are therefore keen to learn and use English.
If you're already in the teaching sphere with a Bachelor's or Master's degree, or a TEFL certificate, along with some solid experience under your belt, private schools and universities provide the best packages all around: better pay, housing allowance, health insurance, help with visas. If you have no official certification but still think you'd be an ace teacher due to your fluency in English, look at less prestigious establishments as they also require less in the way of credentials ' maybe you're just the teacher they need. You could find work as a private tutor too, by placing an online ad in 'El Comercio', the local newspaper. Internet service is excellent in Quito, so you might even want to teach online. Realistically, you will make less money with these types of teaching jobs, but you may still get by and delight in being in Quito with all the wonderful history and culture it provides.
Useful links:
List of high schools in Quito
List of universities in Quito
El comercio
GlassDoor
Opción Empleo
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