Working in Buenos Aires
Expats working in Buenos Aires will find themselves in a bustling cosmopolitan metropolis home to the highest population density in the country. Though years of 
economic struggle and social turmoil attribute a slight roughness and edge to the city, this “Paris of the South” retains a fair amount of elegance and European influence; a characteristic that makes living and working in Buenos Aires unlike any other destination in the world.
Despite Argentina's abundance of natural resources and its highly literate population, a devastating economic crisis that climaxed in 2001 nearly eradicated the nation's middle class and caused unemployment rates to sky rocket. In recent years, there's been an improvement in the situation of the poorer sectors and a rebound of the middle class, but unemployment is still rife and social struggle and political frustration very visible.
For expats, being fluent or near fluent in Spanish will be the main differentiator in what kind of opportunities will become available in the working world. With no knowledge of Spanish, options will be hard to find and daily survival in Buenos Aires difficult.
That being said, there are still jobs and companies that cater specifically to foreigners.
Expat positions with large multinationals such as the banking industry, oil / gas, consumer goods and agriculture are well established in Buenos Aires. Otherwise, teaching English (most positions require TEFL qualifications) and expats offering skills such as business translations; web business management and SEO work; design; and anything that includes the Internet and a laptop seem to be the bread and butter of your everyday foreigner vying for a place under the Argentine sun.
Additionally, due to relatively low local salaries, Buenos Aires seems to be an “outsource” hub. If you master another foreign language (and of course add a knowledge of native English), the call centre industry poses opportunities, but you will be in competition with local well-versed Argentines.
Lastly, as an entrepreneur or businessperson, expats could consider Buenos Aires as a low capital start up location, since labour is widely available and not as expensive as in Europe or the US. There are opportunities everywhere, but working around bureaucracy and general “system failure” can be crippling. Buenos Aires is definitely not for the faint hearted!
Important advice for expats trying to find a job in Buenos Aires would be to visit the city prior to the move to find out if it is indeed a place you could enjoy and live in long term. Research and networking should start early on through expat groups, forums, book clubs, play groups and family days, which usually are great places to make new friends in similar circumstances.
Websites such as Craigslist Buenos Aires, and other expat websites, often list opportunities geared towards foreigners.
Argentines are generally very welcoming and friendly towards foreigners. Still, local employers are often discouraged from hiring expats if work permit issues are
involved; the process is extremely bureaucratic and can take ages to complete.
That said, projects or freelance work can be found with small start-ups or expat entrepreneurs; these bodies are often happy to pay in cash in return for the skills brought by a foreigner. This, however, does not solve the visa situation for long-term stay in Argentina.
Having a Documento Nacional de Identidad (DNI) allows expats to work in Buenos Aires on equal footing with any other Argentine, but unless employed as an expat by an international company, expect a serious reduction in wages.
Formal or first time meetings start with a hand shake (for women and men). Friends or colleagues will always greet with a kiss on the cheek - to each individual in the room.
The pace of business in Argentina feels slower than in the US or Europe and email response rates follow suit. Be punctual for business appointments, but prepare to wait thirty minutes for your associate.
Argentine women in general are very elegant and well dressed but men who work in less formal environments, seem to prefer no ties. Men with longer hairstyles are also common.
Typical business hours are Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 6pm and executives may put in a very long day, as late as 10pm. Siesta doesn't really feature in Buenos Aires as it does in rural Argentina or in Spain. In general, conducting business is similar to any large European city.
economic struggle and social turmoil attribute a slight roughness and edge to the city, this “Paris of the South” retains a fair amount of elegance and European influence; a characteristic that makes living and working in Buenos Aires unlike any other destination in the world.Despite Argentina's abundance of natural resources and its highly literate population, a devastating economic crisis that climaxed in 2001 nearly eradicated the nation's middle class and caused unemployment rates to sky rocket. In recent years, there's been an improvement in the situation of the poorer sectors and a rebound of the middle class, but unemployment is still rife and social struggle and political frustration very visible.
Finding a job in Buenos Aires
For expats, being fluent or near fluent in Spanish will be the main differentiator in what kind of opportunities will become available in the working world. With no knowledge of Spanish, options will be hard to find and daily survival in Buenos Aires difficult.
That being said, there are still jobs and companies that cater specifically to foreigners.
Expat positions with large multinationals such as the banking industry, oil / gas, consumer goods and agriculture are well established in Buenos Aires. Otherwise, teaching English (most positions require TEFL qualifications) and expats offering skills such as business translations; web business management and SEO work; design; and anything that includes the Internet and a laptop seem to be the bread and butter of your everyday foreigner vying for a place under the Argentine sun.
Additionally, due to relatively low local salaries, Buenos Aires seems to be an “outsource” hub. If you master another foreign language (and of course add a knowledge of native English), the call centre industry poses opportunities, but you will be in competition with local well-versed Argentines.
Lastly, as an entrepreneur or businessperson, expats could consider Buenos Aires as a low capital start up location, since labour is widely available and not as expensive as in Europe or the US. There are opportunities everywhere, but working around bureaucracy and general “system failure” can be crippling. Buenos Aires is definitely not for the faint hearted!
Important advice for expats trying to find a job in Buenos Aires would be to visit the city prior to the move to find out if it is indeed a place you could enjoy and live in long term. Research and networking should start early on through expat groups, forums, book clubs, play groups and family days, which usually are great places to make new friends in similar circumstances.
Websites such as Craigslist Buenos Aires, and other expat websites, often list opportunities geared towards foreigners.
Work permits
Argentines are generally very welcoming and friendly towards foreigners. Still, local employers are often discouraged from hiring expats if work permit issues are
involved; the process is extremely bureaucratic and can take ages to complete.That said, projects or freelance work can be found with small start-ups or expat entrepreneurs; these bodies are often happy to pay in cash in return for the skills brought by a foreigner. This, however, does not solve the visa situation for long-term stay in Argentina.
Having a Documento Nacional de Identidad (DNI) allows expats to work in Buenos Aires on equal footing with any other Argentine, but unless employed as an expat by an international company, expect a serious reduction in wages.
Business etiquette in Buenos Aires
Formal or first time meetings start with a hand shake (for women and men). Friends or colleagues will always greet with a kiss on the cheek - to each individual in the room.
The pace of business in Argentina feels slower than in the US or Europe and email response rates follow suit. Be punctual for business appointments, but prepare to wait thirty minutes for your associate.
Argentine women in general are very elegant and well dressed but men who work in less formal environments, seem to prefer no ties. Men with longer hairstyles are also common.
Typical business hours are Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 6pm and executives may put in a very long day, as late as 10pm. Siesta doesn't really feature in Buenos Aires as it does in rural Argentina or in Spain. In general, conducting business is similar to any large European city.
