Finding work in Bangkok for 'dependent' spouse

[schmedz]

I'm a teacher and my spouse and children are here in Thailand with me on Non-Imm O visas/visa extensions.

When we arrived, my spouse was employed by a UK-based company (working remotely) but has recently been made redundant and we are now trying to live on my income alone. He would love to find some work, but obviously as a Westerner, it is very hard for him to do so within the country.

Any suggestions? He has a degree and many years of experience in Senior financial/project management roles in the Construction/Property industries.

[blackcab]

That is a very difficult space to find employment in for a foreigner. Does your husband read, write and speak Thai fluently, including the industry's terminology?

Without this he would be at a severe disadvantage as there are excellent Thai candidates in this sector who are fluent in two or three languages and who hold Masters degrees from the US or Europe.

For a foreigner to be hired the would have to have something a local hire doesn't. In my experience that is usually the trust of the parent company to manage, execute and accurately report on local operations.

It's not an impossible task though. I have a job in this sector and I know of a couple of others who are also similarly employed.

[schmedz]

blackcab - how do you go about securing interviews within Thailand then? It seems his only option is to go 'home'- his experience, qualifications and references (and plethora of transferable skills) will mean he'll get snapped up, but we don't fancy living apart.

We're aware of how difficult it is for him to secure a new job here, but I've posted for advice on overcoming the apparently impossible task of finding work from within the country, so if you have any, please speak up!

[smutcakes]

^{There is a large shortage of qualified PM's in the market. I personally know of at least 2 companies looking for people.}

^{Like many of us, he should write his resume, and send it to everyone and anyone in that industry.}

^{It really is not that difficult to get a job particulalry in PM, there are 100's of expats working in that field. He might have to take a hit on what he percieves as his worth but it shoudl not be difficult to find a job.}

^{Often we have trouble over here finding a local who not only can do the work, but also has the ability to liaise with HO and often regional. He has a lot of options.}

[blackcab]

Online job sites such as jobsdb are your best bet, as well as LinkedIn.

In Thailand connections are everything.

[schmedz]

Thanks smutcakes and blackcab. Hope he stumbles across those 2 companies looking for PMs soon on jobsdb. A few things of interest are appearing on LinkedIn so hopefully he'll have some joy soon.