Mexico; An informative view on a work destination!

If you’re looking for a place to travel and work that offers a new and traditional culture, the chance to learn a language, yet many of the familiar societal aspects and technologies that we are used to in Canada, look no further then Mexico! Mexico is a country rich in traditional heritage, yet it is close to home, and offers many of the same comforts while providing a distinctly unique experience. Here is a little bit of what to expect from our southern neighbour:

Job Opportunities
Mexico has a thriving developing economy which is largely dependent on oil, foreign currency from Mexicans working in the U.S. and tourism. Recent growth of Mexico towards becoming a world business power has created a demand for engineering, communication and technical professionals, and developing tourism further is a top priority. As such, Mexico has become a top destination for hospitality and tourism workers; the country is currently experiencing such a demand for travel destinations that it can not supply enough trained tourism workers to staff the surplus of hotels and resorts springing up. This has resulted in Mexico recruiting foreign workers for hospitality related jobs, and jobs are fairly easy to come by for any eager students, recent grads or just anyone looking for adventure from any field. Also, many recruitment agencies for Mexican tourism jobs have developed out of this lack, and while professional positions are harder to come by entry level worker positions from chefs, to activities directors, to instructors to dancers are in high demand. Check out http://www.getggg.com/main.html.

Employment Conditions
While Mexico may have government, societal and technological similarities to its northern neighbours, there are still some differences in employment that you should be aware of before you go. First of all, wages are significantly different in Mexico then what you could expect in Canada; Mexico pays in pesos, which is their national currency, and 1 Mexican peso is roughly equivalent to 10 cents Canadian. While highly specialized positions may fetch equivalent salaries to Canadian jobs, overall salaries are generally lower in Mexico then in the rest of North America. Tourism workers in entry level positions can expect to make significantly lower wages in Mexico then they would in Canada (approx. $500 - $800 CND per month) but are often compensated as international workers with free lodging, food and drinks. Mexican salaries are paid in Quincenas, which mean every 15 days.
Another difference in Mexican employment is working hours, and it is important to know what to expect in terms of hours before you think about a resort job in Mexico. While most office jobs run from 8am to 6pm, tourism jobs often require long hours (from 8 to 12 per day) and a six day work week. These jobs also involve working weekends, public holidays and uncommon hours, although you are generally compensated for this. Also, you will probably be asked to perform a wider variety of tasks if you work in a tourism field; as per the above mentioned staff shortage, Mexican resort maximize employees, and you may be expected to run varied group sports in the morning, work in the kids club in the afternoon, give boating lessons before dinner and then perform in the nightly resort entertainment in the evening. Lunch breaks tend to be longer in Mexico, and can range from 1 - 2 hours.

Culture
Mexico's culture is based on values that are rich in tradition, and create a very different society then that of Canada or the United States. Generally speaking, Mexico has a slower pace of life, and it can take some getting used to when coming from Canada. First of all, Mexicans are still very strongly religious, with the large majority of the population still practicing traditional Christian values and lifestyle; Mexicans are proud of their heritage, and do not appreciate foreigners undermining either their culture or religion so it is recommended to keep atheist values to yourself when visiting. Secondly, time moves differently in Mexico, and while in Canada we take appointment and even social meeting times quite seriously, in Mexico time is more of a guideline and is rarely strictly adhered to even in business. This can take some adjustment and be frustrating at first, but if you allow yourself to relax and embrace the slower pace of life many Northern Americans can come to quite enjoy the laid back lifestyle. Also, social status is very important to Mexicans, and stems not from the level of wealth but from job title. It is very important to always refer to people by their professional title, and it is very common for professionals to dress in traditional garb, so don't be deceived. Finally, while English is spoken more commonly in major tourist centers and coastal towns, it is to your benefit to learn at least basic conversational Spanish; not only will this be necessary if you travel outside of resort town, but even in tourist areas not all people speak English, and you will be much more warmly treated if you make an attempt at the native language (also, prices will often be lower for you if you barter in Spanish!)