Expat Advice: Working in San Jose, Costa Rica

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

San Jose

What are the main industries in this city? What types of career opportunities commonly exist? How do most people find new jobs?

I think that services are the main activity here, like real states.

What type of work do you do and how did you find your job?

I work for a financial institution. Transferred here 5 months ago.

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How did you obtain your work permit? What advice would you have for others about work permits?

Actually my employee could make all those papers very quickly just go to the caja and get a simple paper with my costarican social security number and only with that they can start considering me in the local payroll.In my case the real problem is the temporary residence and that is a real headache, Iagree with other comments that could last several months maybe even a year.

Have you taken language and cross-cultural training courses to prepare for your assignment? If so, how have they helped you on the job?

Spanish is my main language and its true there are not english speakers here at least i havent found yet.

If you were transferred abroad by your employer, were you guaranteed a job upon repatriation? What type of mentoring programs does your employer offer?

Not really but i think i could return to my country or other country and work in the same company.Any mentoring programs it suppose the cultural change is minumun cause we are all latins but believe me people in Central America is a little different than south american people.

What advice would you offer others about finding jobs and working abroad?

I think this country is for enjoy the outdoors activities, the landscape, to retire here because work here could became so slowly.