Working in Santiago
Santiago is geographically central to Chile and economically central to the region. This makes the city both a national and regional business hub. Santiago generates close to 50% of Chile's GDP and is a base for a number of international businesses and institutes.
Expats in Santiago are employed in a diverse range of businesses and fields. There is a significant foreign teaching population in the city's international schools, and many expats are employed by the ever growing number of multinational companies that choose to make the South American city their regional headquarters; such as Coca Cola, IBM, Microsoft, BHP Billiton and Ford.
Employment packages for expats differ depending on the company. Many companies hiring from overseas will offer some sort of relocation package and it is an important point to negotiate with a future employer. A number of companies do choose to hire from within Chile and they will help when organising work permits.
Most expat jobs are found in Santiago or Vallencia, but some employees are required to fly to different areas in South America for work purposes.
Most employers look for future employees who are competent when speaking both Spanish and English. Even those fluent in European Spanish do often need to take a few Chilean Spanish lessons upon arrival as the regional nuances of the language do require practice. For those with some knowledge of Spanish, the main fields employing expats are construction and engineering, finance and banking, IT, mining and wine making.
Expats in Santiago are employed in a diverse range of businesses and fields. There is a significant foreign teaching population in the city's international schools, and many expats are employed by the ever growing number of multinational companies that choose to make the South American city their regional headquarters; such as Coca Cola, IBM, Microsoft, BHP Billiton and Ford.
Employment packages for expats differ depending on the company. Many companies hiring from overseas will offer some sort of relocation package and it is an important point to negotiate with a future employer. A number of companies do choose to hire from within Chile and they will help when organising work permits.Most expat jobs are found in Santiago or Vallencia, but some employees are required to fly to different areas in South America for work purposes.
Most employers look for future employees who are competent when speaking both Spanish and English. Even those fluent in European Spanish do often need to take a few Chilean Spanish lessons upon arrival as the regional nuances of the language do require practice. For those with some knowledge of Spanish, the main fields employing expats are construction and engineering, finance and banking, IT, mining and wine making.
