If you need to find a job in Panama then it should be noted that you are only able to do so when you are a legal resident. If you have residency then you do not need a work permit. Finding work in Panama is not an easy task as there are not many opportunities around, particularly for those who do not have a good understanding of Spanish. Traditional jobs such as shop work are generally given to native Panamanians as employers would find it difficult to prove that there are no local residents to do the job.

The unemployment rate during 2010 was approximately 6.7%, which was low when compared to other countries. One of the reasons for this is that Panama remained largely unaffected by the economic downturn which hit larger economies such as the US and the UK although this figure was up from 5.8% the year before. In urban areas the highest levels of unemployment tend to be among the group aged 15 and 25 and it can be as high as 50%. Plans for expanding the Panama Canal will complete in 2014 and it is expected that this will create many more jobs and lower the unemployment rate further.

If you are a non-resident then it is possible to find work in certain fields, such as teaching English as a foreign language. It is usually the case that these jobs are temporary contracts and the organisation that you will be working for can help you to apply for the relevant work permit. Your application for a work permit in this instance must include a copy of the letter from the firm offering you a job. There must also be a declaration that you will be doing work that cannot be done by a legal resident of Panama.

Those who are working without the relevant residency visa or work permit can find themselves deported if the government were to discover this. The company that employs you in this way could also find themselves in a great deal of trouble as they will obviously be bypassing the social security system.

If you are able to speak Spanish to a good level then you will find that finding work, particularly in the field of tourism, is much easier. However, most expats will find it much easier to get work with foreign companies that have offices in Panama and international corporations always have a need for bilingual staff and vacancies for translators regularly appear.

There are a number of popular job websites in Panama, for example, www.pa.3wjobs.com. This site offers a free service to job seekers and applications can be made online to the companies that are advertising. The site keeps the details of job seekers confidential and job seekers can upload their CV so that it can be accessed by companies that are recruiting. The site has a useful FAQ section which gives additional advice on finding work and applying for jobs.

There are also a number of newspapers which carry job advertisements, both in English and Spanish. Panama’s laid back approach to life also means that simply making enquiries with a company, even if they are not advertising any vacancies, can find you a job. Asking around friends or neighbours might put you in touch with a company that could use your skills. It is worth sending your CV to companies to keep on file if they are not advertising at the moment.

You will need to ensure that you have an up to date CV or resume before you apply for a position. If you send your application with a covering letter that has not been tailored to the vacancy or type of work that you are looking for then it could easily be ignored, so it is worth taking time on the wording of your letter if you want to impress a prospective Panamanian employer.

Many foreign nationals who want to work get around the problem of finding work by starting their own business or self employment. If you are in the country as a teacher, for example, you can supplement your income by offering private tuition and working for yourself in your own time.