First things first - introductions - My name is Nikki, i'm 22 and a qualified national journalist living in England (worse luck!)
I previously lived in Madrid in 2002 for a year where I studied at UCM.
I'm currently looking into moving back to Madrid to work, something i've always wanted to do (i didn't really want to come back last time! )
I was wondering if anyone who visits this board has any information on where to go about finding jobs in the media sector in Spain - everything I seem to find is a teaching job!
Although by profession I am a features writer I'm looking for anything in the media and PR sector.
Any suggestions? any good starting points?
Any help would be greatly appreciated as I have no idea where to start!
Cheers!
---------- Nikki G ------------
Posts: 10 | Location: Liverpool, United Kingdom | Registered: 21 February 2005
I've done searches on this board and I have found a lot of useful info (and some great useless-but-interesting facts too! )
Unfortunately i'm not fluent in Spanish - I managed to get to an advanced level whilst studying in Madrid - but since moving back to England my level has dropped massively.
My spanish reading level is still pretty high, so info on Spanish sites is fine with me.
The problem I have is my spoken level - Ive completely lost my confidence, and since my boyfriend moved back to Torrijos a couple of months ago I have no-one to practice with now!
I'm looking at jobs at the moment to see what there is out there, what my options are.
It's all part of an extended plan, starting with coming back to madrid to do a Spanish course hopefully early next year.
I will have to work although in what I don't know. I'll be able to freelance a little I guess.
You see - there's so much to think about and at the moment I have no idea with where to start - all I know is I want to live in Madrid and I want to do it soon!
As I read an earlier post 'hearts vs wallet' I think it's going to be a case of doing what I can "In the meantime" while looking for the job that I want!
Anyway, as I muddle together plans for my escape to Madrid I reckon I'll defo be spending some time here, so thanks for the welcome, and I'll speak to you soon!
---------- Nikki G ------------
Posts: 10 | Location: Liverpool, United Kingdom | Registered: 21 February 2005
I think it's going to be a case of doing what I can "In the meantime" while looking for the job that I want!
that is a very good mindset to be in when you come over.
also, take the advice given many times on this board and on many different threads and...
1) do not come here with debt back home. 2) come with a nice amt. of cash (dosh ) saved up for the lean times you may have here in spain.
i agree with Madrid Insider's advice above, it is best (obviously) to be able to come here and still work for a company back home. getting paid a u.k. salary to be here can't be beat.
very hard to do however
"candela" is a freelance writer and also works for some cos. back in u.s.a, maybe she will pop in with some advice for you.
I've mentioned the idea to a couple of the magazines I currently write for (I work for a press agency so i'm effectively a freelancer) and they seem interested.
The stash of dosh idea was something I wanted to ask you all about - It probably sounds stupid, but how much is a decent amount?
I'm not expecting to live in a palace (its not all that long since I came out of student hovels... sorry halls ) but I am a fan of eating out and socialising!!
I'm asking you guys as I'm guessing some of you lot came out here with that you thought was a good amount and realised it wasn't!
What have your experiences been?
---------- Nikki G ------------
Posts: 10 | Location: Liverpool, United Kingdom | Registered: 21 February 2005
take the monthly cost and bring enough for a year as if you were not going to work for 12 months.
"Fordhammike" wrote on that thread...
quote:
Getting down to the wire and I'm getting antsy. No one has to answer cuz I realize this could be personal but, I'm bringing about 11,000$ with me for like 12 months. I will be studying most of the time and eating at home or at my gf's house. After rent I have about 600$ to spend on misc each month. I'll also probably be tutoring some people in English once a week. Hopefully that could cover my pocket money
...and he just returned to u.s.a. after his year here. would love to know how the $11,000 served him but not sure if he has abandoned us now that he is no longer in madrid
think i will send him this thread to get him to post.
There are some guide books you can also obtain at most libraries here in Spain that would give you some potetial leads as well.
Guia de los Medios. (Average size) Kind of like a phone book.
Guia de Comunicaciones. (Think, Pocket size) Printed by the entity in Moncloa and comes out once a year.
Cine Guia. www.cineguia.es (Thick, Pocket Size) Sold by FM editoriales and has mostly film, TV, and audiovisual stuff like actors, rental houses, post production houses, production companies, etc.
I do vist Madrid on a semi-regular basis when I'm over visiting my better half, so some of the books suggested by Madrid Insider will help research wise.
I want to be 100% prepared and 100% equipped to seek out work when I do move over - I'm usually very much a 'pee-into-the-wind' kinda girl, you know just jump in and see what happens
That's what I did when I moved over as a student - but back then I had my uni throwing money at me to study in a foreign-language speaking country, so I didn't have the financial worry!
But I do appreciate all the info that's coming my way!
---------- Nikki G ------------
Posts: 10 | Location: Liverpool, United Kingdom | Registered: 21 February 2005
NikkiG, my two best friends here work in communications and PR firms and through hearing their stories it�s a tough industry indeed in Spain. They are both Spanish, got their degrees but needed a master degree (Spanish masters which is not really the same as the British equivilent) to be able to get anywhere. Even then, they are employed as �becarias� on 6 months contracts working for a pittance (often not renewed as it�s cheaper for the company this way).
soooooze
Posts: 124 | Location: Sussex | Registered: 07 October 2004
They now have permanent positions but still earn less than 1000 euros a month and work long, stressful hours. They love their jobs so tolerate it of course.
One is going to try to move into journalism but is finding it very hard as positions are few and far between and will probably need to take another masters just to get to step 1. Everybody from every corner of Spain applies to few available jobs there are in Madrid.
Sorry, a rather depressing read there. Just wanted to give you the views of some people who are doing similar work to yourself.
On a brighter note, I�ll ask them what road you will need to take in order to find work here.
soooooze
Posts: 124 | Location: Sussex | Registered: 07 October 2004
Hola from another media person...a 20-year grizzled daily newspaper vet.
I'm moving to Spain next year. Should I decide to keep in the game, I'll be sure to arrive with correspondency retainers/contracts with at least two USA/UK news outlets in my pocket, seeing as Spain is, internally speaking, sewed up. Spanish media are very much WHO you know, not WHAT. It's my impression that as a foreigner you have to work from the outside in, prove yourself a few times, and then really shmooze with the movers/shakers. It's a good idea to hang out in the right bars, too -- I got one gig just from being in the Journalist's bar near Atocha this Spring, and butting in with some fresh info on a breaking story when the people sharing the bar were at the proper level of intoxication. It's led to a couple of good connections since. Also, the weekly and monthly magazines are somewhat open to you simply swanning in on a summer noon and offering to buy a drink for the managing editor. Some are family-run, so once you're in, you are golden. (this from my spouse, who's a UK journo and worked on Hola for years, then helped create Hello.)
You just have to be bold, (and ready to pick up a drink tab) and not take it too hard when they slam the door in your face. Judging from the state of much of Spanish periodicos I see, it's their loss, not getting a talented person.
And as for film/TV/radio, I have no idea. Buen suerte! Rebekah
Posts: 385 | Location: a pueblo in Palencia, via Pittsburgh USA | Registered: 15 February 2003
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- rent or buy a cell phone from me for your stay in spain, more info at 
- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at 
) saved up for the lean times you may have here in spain.
