Life after graduation : my Spanish dream.

In September 2012 that is 5 months after I had graduated first class honours from the university of Siena, I decided to head to Spain and look for my future outside Italy.

“Spain? You're bonkers!” that was more or less the support that I got from most people that acknowledged my plans. However, my parents decided to support me and my decision though one could really tell that their face expression wasn't really a sigh of relief.

After 3 years spent literally 'hurrying up' to get a B.A in Linguistics I decided it was high time to follow my own lead and come to this breathtaking country. I had absolutely no job expectations nor held out much hope to get one at any rate.

In order to prove everybody wrong, including me, I had to man up. And for anybody who wants to know how it is like to get a decent job in southern Europe nowadays here's a preview to what you're about to put up with.

1. Being 'legal' in Spain

Since July 2012 a drastic document-policies reform has gone through in spite of what should be the new 'european' common sense and law. All foreigners including EU residents are compelled to get a Spanish ID – the so-called N.I.E – if you're planning to reside in this country for more than 90 days. Thank you very much. The piece of news basically pivots on 'alright then how do I get my NIE'?. After long queues in dozens of different council and immigration offices I was sent to comisaría, that is the police station where a tall lanky horse-faced woman croaks that I am SOOO late and did I think that I could get a NIE just because I was European.

Erm, yes?

Oh no no no. Have I got a job? Have I got a Social Security Number? Am I at least a student?

...well somehow I assumed that she wasn't going to be my woman so I decided to call it a day and get back to spamming all kinds of schools and companies with my CV.

So luckily enough after a fortnight spent walking back and forth and running across Barcelona to hand CV's out to anybody in town, I got an interview.

One of the first questions that I was asked that day was: So, have you got social security?

Obviously I didn't so I got sent to Tesorería, the social security office. Once then, guess what, have you got a NIE? No, no and no. It was an endless loop.

Since it is a closed chain the only way to get legal papers in Spain at the moment is to break that very chain. This if you're lucky enough to find someone who is willing to hire you and back you up during the process. As there is no way to get a NIE without a job contract and there is no way to get a job contract without social security and therefore a NIE, your future employer needs to write a letter to the authorities in charge where they advocate the issue of your ID in order to hire you legally.

If you're not a student that's the only way. Is it easy? No, but, yes it is possible.
After one month I lined up for the last time at 7 am, waited about 4 hours till someone finally approved my request and gave me a wastepaper pictureless ID which I paid 10 €.

2. Entry Requirements

What does it take to be hired? For every job that you will apply for they will ask specific entry requirements which concern the position you applied for. For instance if you were applying for a touristic guide position they'd probably choose a candidate with a degree in tourism over a history of art applicant. For my money, this thought is preposterous.

If you want to work in a nursery you'd have to be a graduate in early years education no matter if you've been working with kids for ever. If you want to be a writer you'd have to be a graduate in communications and if you want to work in a cramped and run-down call center they'd ask you if you have any masters in marketing. If you want to work as a translator and you're lucky enough to find someone who replies to any of your emails, they'd ask for a degree in translation.

For anyone out there who has a degree in linguistics and has studied translation, foreign language teaching, tons of literature, sociology and grammar over grammar for years the situation is fairly daunting. We can do everything that has been above-mentioned and we've worked hard to get a degree that could include different job options. But at the moment all the gateways seem blocked. I share my frustration with you, but never throw in the towel, someday this will end and we will be successful and versatile workforce.

3. Language issues

In order to decently work in Catalonia you will have to be fluent in:

1. Catalan

2. Spanish

3. English

Better if with good German, French and Russian skills. Mastering many languages is essential. I've once seen a job offer that looked for a fluent speaker of Spanish, English, French, Italian, German and Dutch. All-in-one.

If you want to work in Spain as an English teacher not only do you have to be perfectly fluent but you have to fake native accents and have employers believe you're at least bilingual. Some will just discard your application only because your not native, it doesn't really matter how good you are. Fortunately, not all employers think so and they are willing to at least give you a chance. I was lucky.

If you're thinking about taking a CELTA or TESOL official exam go for it. That may certainly help you when job hunting, however, watch out for unofficial TEFL two week-intensive courses, they're not what you're looking for.

4. The 'convenio con la universidad'

You might find that one cool job you'd been looking for months and you are everything they're looking for till you read 'APPLICANTS MUST PROVIDE US WITH A UNIVERSITY AGREEMENT'.

This will be your worst nightmare, being asked to be a student when you're no longer one. It happens so that companies can pay you using education funds instead of burning their pocket holes. Don't take umbrage it's not personal, it all boils down to the dosh.