Mexico at a Glance

Working in Mexico

Lucrative job opportunities for working in Mexico include the petroleum and vehicle industries.

Your bags are packed, and you may already be dreaming of mixing cocktails in Cancún or setting up your own office in Mexico City. However, before you start working in Mexico as an expat, you need to do your homework: Learn more about local labor laws, self-employment and job-hunting in with guide!

Working in Mexico may bring many challenges, the actual job search being the first among them. Mexico has an unemployment rate of 5.1%, and unskilled workers in particular have a hard time finding a job. However, there is no reason for you to give up on your dream of working in Mexico. Certain professions are on the rise, and skilled expat professionals are always welcome.

While your dream of working in Mexico may include white beaches, palm trees and colorful cocktails, you should beware of opening a business in an already satisfied market. Many self-made expats try to open a beach bar, restaurant or a B&B in Mexico, only to realize that they can’t keep up with the competition.

Working in Mexico: Major Industries

People interested in investing or working in Mexico should particularly look into Mexico’s major industries:

Petroleum
Agricultural processing
Electronics
Chemicals and pharmaceuticals
Consumer durables

Sectors such as logistics and transportation as well as infrastructure and the service industry are going through a major growth period at the moment. Therefore you should look into these fields of employment if you plan on working in Mexico outside of a traditional expat assignment.

Working in Mexico: Teaching Jobs

Many foreigners working in Mexico are former travelers who simply never returned home. While some of them may find great jobs, considerable numbers start out teaching English or other foreign languages. This is a particularly convenient option if you are not fluent in Spanish yet. You can find teaching positions in preparatorias (high schools), universities or language schools or do some private tutoring.

Mexico City and Guadalajara are the places to go for prospective language teachers working in Mexico. Positions in universities and high schools are most likely to become available before the beginning of a new term. Ask for an interview appointment with the director of the school or the language department. However, academic teaching jobs require additional qualifications beyond being a native speaker.

Working in Mexico: Job-Hunting

Your ideal experience of working in Mexico may, however, involve more than teaching English at a local language school. In this case, you need to put a lot of effort in your job search. Begin by registering with your chamber of commerce, your embassy or different social clubs to learn more about working in Mexico’s business world. Our Local Communities in Guadalajara, Cancún or Mexico City may also be a great place to start if you are keen on working in Mexico.

Mexican businesses like using recruitment agencies and contractors to find new employees. Try going through an agency or a headhunter if you bring lots of professional experience to the table and are looking for a high-salary position while working in Mexico. There are many global recruitment agencies to help you find a job at the higher end of the job market. Fees of about $1,000 and a 6-month exclusivity period are the norm and may be the price you have to pay for working in Mexico.

Working in Mexico: Job Search Resources

Other InterNations members in Mexico may be able to help you get in touch with companies offering open positions. Don’t hesitate to use your network. Alternatively, you can look through online job boards and employment homepages. Your home country’s chamber of commerce may have its own employment agency, giving you the option to search for vacancies and post notices online.

Another option is the classic approach to your job search. Local newspapers usually have classified sections with job ads. You should look at their respective websites, too, as you may be able to find more job ads online. Internet classifieds such as Craigslist may also be a treasure trove of job ads, especially for local part-time positions.