Finding a Job as an English-Speaker in Buenos Aires

How to Live and Work in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as a Native English-Speaker

Welcome to Buenos Aires, the Paris of South America. The city is a bustling metropolis that combines modern skyscrapers and high-rise apartment buildings with charming old buildings and tree-lined streets. With close to 15 million residents, Buenos Aires is one of the largest cities in South America, and is rapidly becoming a center for international business and pleasure. In 2001, the peso, previously tied to the U.S. dollar, was devalued, and since then, foreigners have streamed into the now-affordable country. The allure of the city often persuades many visitors to stay for longer periods of time, which generally requires some income. And now, to find a job in Buenos Aires as an English-speaker.

For the English-speaker, Buenos Aires offers a myriad of job options, from teaching English, to working in tourism agencies, to working as a writer for various travel guides. Jobs are even available in restaurants for those who also speak Spanish. But, the Argentine job search has some peculiarities that are difficult to navigate at first for English-speakers. So, the following tips are from my experiences and those of my friends, on how to successfully find an interesting job as an English-speaker in Buenos Aires.

Resume Tips & Tricks
Resumes in Buenos Aires are a little different from what English-speakers are used to. For example, when I first arrived in Buenos Aires and began applying for jobs, I noticed that postings often requested applicants of a certain age or sex. Because this is illegal in the United States, I assumed it was also illegal in Buenos Aires, and avoided applying for those jobs. Then an Argentine friend explained that specifying age, sex, and even requesting photographs with a resume is normal in Buenos Aires. So, I added a photograph next to my career objective, and included a personal section with my age, nationality, and any languages spoken, read, or written. After making my resume (or CV as they call them in Buenos Aires) more Argentine, I immediately got calls for job interviews.