A Career in Mexico
By Josh N. Garcia
September 1st, 2017
There is one question I consistently get asked by friends and family from the USA and Canada, “Why do you work in Mexico?” The short answers are typically led with great opportunity, quality of life and work-to-lifebalance. The longer conversations lead to comments on Mexico’s surging economy, popularity in tourism and new developments.
That said, I am always puzzled by the lack of information people have on Mexico and the lifestyle available living abroad. I am even more stunned at the number of people who do not have passports and an ability to travel beyond the USA or Canada. Personally, moving to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in 2006 was the best decision I have ever made. I was fortunate enough to meet my wife, start a family and have an 11-year career in something I consider to be a huge part of life: TRAVEL. I have worked in the travel industry for 11 years now. I started as an OPC (Outside Public Contact) inviting Americans and Canadians to visit our 5 Diamond Resort, moved through the ranks of sales and member services and currently hold the position of Recruiting Coordinator for the company.
When I moved to Puerto Vallarta in 2006, I had no intentions of being here more than 6 months. My primary goal was to learn Spanish. My secondary goal was to make enough money while I learned Spanish. Within the first few months, I quickly learned there were only three main jobs available in Puerto Vallarta that could earn enough income competitive with the USA or Canada. I could work as a real estate agent, start my own business or work in sales at a resort. The first two options seemed unrealistic at the time because both required at least 6 months of funding to get started. I chose resort sales and its provided me with a life I could have never imagined. I have had the opportunity to meet people from around the world, visit destinations I could only dream about and create a life that balanced work and family like no other.
My experience is mostly based around a beach destination. There are clearly very different opportunities in major cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. Each of these cities are home to Fortune 500 companies and provide jobs comparable to the USA or Canada. Most of the positions offered by these major companies would have similar demands and extensive hours, which would differ greatly from working at a beach destination.
On an economic front, Mexico’s tourism is booming. According to CNNMoney, tourism spending in Mexico reached $20.1 Billion in 2016 and became the 8th most visited country in the world. 2017 is expected to see the most number of visitors in recorded history with 37.5 million travelers (INEGI). Beach destinations such as Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, and Cancun are seeing the largest growth and continue to draw attention from investors around the globe. Developments ranging from luxury hotels to first-of-its-kind theme parks are in concept stages.
Locally, the area known as Riviera Nayarit, will feature 10 new developments within the next 5 years. Some of these developments include a mind-blowing 1.8 billion dollar real estate investment called Costa Canuva, the construction of the largest aquarium in Latin America and most notably, the first-ever immersive theme park animated by the magic of Cirque du Soleil, which will be built at our Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta destination.
There are career opportunities in Mexico for anyone looking to take the first step. It is estimated that there are 1 million Americans currently living in Mexico. This number will only increase with the priority the millennials place on travel experience, as baby boomers seek affordable health care and global companies continue to invest in Mexico. I encourage anyone looking to make a change in their life or career to look across the border and research what Mexico has to offer. For questions related to a career at Vida Vacations please respond in comments below and we will be sure to respond.
Josh Garcia currently works as the Recruiting Coordinator for Vida Vacations and may contribute to our Vida Career Blog from time to time.
22 Comments
Jocelyn Franco
October 15, 2017 at 2:42 pmWhat are the requirements to be able to apply at Vida Vacations?
Josh Garcia
November 14, 2017 at 3:20 pmHi Jocelyn, thanks for your question. We are always looking for high-quality professionals who connect well with people quickly. A sales background is a plus but not a necessity. We do have certain parameters we review based on a 6 minute survey provided by The Predictive Index Group. If you haven’t done so already, we encourage you to apply and participate in the survey. Good luck!
Josh
Rob Pek
February 15, 2018 at 4:21 pmHi Josh
I have a 25 year background in business development and sales & marketing.
I presently live in Calgary, Alberta Canada. I would like to take that experience and apply it to a geographical location that includes sun and sand… as i am tired of the cold and snow. LOL
I sent in an application to the company. Is there any tips that you could share with me as to how I get started with the company? Any information that you could share would be much appreciated.
thanks kindly
enjoy the sun
Rob
Editor
February 19, 2018 at 10:43 amHi Rob, thanks for your comments. Sorry to hear about the cold weather. If you have already applied and taken our 6 minute survey, we will contact you for an interview. There are times when a resume or survey do not fit the profile we are looking for, however, if you have a 25 year career in sales and marketing there is a good chance I will reach out to you by email. So, keep a look out for my email. Thanks again. Josh
Josh Garcia
November 14, 2017 at 3:23 pmThank you for reading our Blog. As mentioned above, there are no minimum requirements, however, we do base our hiring decisions based on certain personality traits. Once you apply, you are provided a link that will lead you to the survey.
Preston McDearmon
October 16, 2017 at 6:48 pmI’m interested in details on making the jump over to Mexico in regards to sales.
Josh Garcia
November 14, 2017 at 3:25 pmHi Preston, we are currently hiring in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Puerto Peñasco. I encourage you to apply today and start the process.
Ashley
October 19, 2017 at 3:57 pmThis has me super excited and more confident in my plan to move to PV as soon as possible! I am going to make this website my reference text so I’m sure you will hear more from me VERY soon.
Josh Garcia
November 14, 2017 at 3:27 pmThanks for the kind words! Please let us know if you have any additional questions. Also, you may email me @ joshgarcia@vidavacations.com if I can answer any further questions.
Martha Anda
October 25, 2017 at 9:00 pmI would love to become pat of your team
Dan Harlan
October 27, 2017 at 3:31 pmJosh, your blog is very insightful and much appreciated. I have been coming to the PV area for several years at least two times every winter. Every year the choices we make have more value. Owning businesses over the years, managing employees, and the experience of living the life of real estate agent and a real estate investor have brought me to a significant realization (Been there done that!). So happy to say that other than our summer home and our primary residence we only have one rental property left and it is paid for and cash flows.
My wife and I will be coming to the area right after Thanksgiving. we will be visiting friends in Los Ayala,Guayabitos, and La Penita for a few days and then to our home away from home at Girasol Sur just south of PV for a couple of weeks. My desire this year is to be in PV all winter, learn Spanish and maintain a salary that I am accustomed to. I enjoy luxurious environments, and I am a great people person. An opportunity to visit with you personally the first week of December would be of great value to me. I look forward to your reply.
Regards: Dan Harlan
Josh Garcia
November 14, 2017 at 3:35 pmHi Dan, thanks for the nice comments. Feel free to email me directly at joshgarcia@vidavacations.com
I will be happy to visit with you and answer any question you have.
Josh
Ron voge
November 5, 2017 at 6:43 pmHello I am interested in your sales position. Do you train. I have spent 28 years in the trucking industry from driver business owner dispatcher. I’m sick of what I do and looking for an exciting and rewarding new career.
Josh Garcia
November 14, 2017 at 3:37 pmMost people who find us are looking for a change in their lives or their environments. I encourage you to apply on this site and start by taking our survey to see if you are a good fit.
Best of luck!
Bryan Sillaman
January 5, 2018 at 4:19 pmHello Josh,
Thanks for the blog. I am an experienced Vacation Ownership professional with about 10 years of Vacation Ownership sales management experience. Would an experienced Vacation Ownership manager be able to start directly for your company as a Sales Manager? Is there any relocation assistance in the form of accommodations until a suitable living arrangement can be found? Thanks.
Josh Garcia
January 9, 2018 at 4:31 pmHi Bryan, thanks for your comments. I have responded to your questions on private email. Regards, Josh G.
Kelli
May 12, 2018 at 6:01 pmWhat cities and states are you currently hiring for in Mexico? This sounds like a great opportunity for me!
Editor
May 14, 2018 at 2:36 pmHi Kelli, we are hiring in all 7 destinations. We encourage you to apply at http://vidacareer.com/apply/
Brigitte
July 15, 2018 at 10:58 pmMy brother recommended I actually would like this website. He was totally right. This post truly made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had developed put in for this info! Thanks a lot!
Editor
July 17, 2018 at 10:44 amThank you for the comments.
Miguel Angel Marin Fuentes
August 10, 2018 at 5:19 pmhey josh fist of all what an amazing performance of your life, I´ve been trying to locate you because a few weeks ago i met with natasha and she told me that the next step was to interview with you but I have not heard from you and i am very interested in working for this honorable company what can I do to be followed up on this process??
greetings from mexico city
Editor
August 20, 2018 at 3:29 pmThanks for the comment Miguel. We will be sure to set you up this week. Thanks for following up.