Louis de Rohan writes:
There are only two ways to get a regular Ibiza fix – the first, you earn enough money come on holiday here every year (that’s anything between 700 and 1,000 Euros for a week if you’re going to do it properly from Europe) or the second, you just buy that one-way ticket and work it baby.
The 2003 closing parties later this month will mark the end, for many, of a long hot season working unsociable hours (August is 7 days a week for most), with poor pay, basic accommodation and dealing with the August queues, demanding tourists and clubber’s on come downs…but it’s worth it!
In May each year, thousands of young people descend on Ibiza from all corners of the world in search of seasonal jobs: PR, barman, waiter, shop assistant, musician, DJ, rep, receptionist, to help finance a lifestyle that it totally unique. For some it’s their first year, but for many this is their 2nd, 3rd or even 4th year because they just can’t get enough of it (the hardcore usually stay for good!).
The Ibiza lifestyle is sunny, relaxed, liberal and sexy. That means that when you’re not working (and if you have the energy) you can do just about anything from partying in some of the best clubs on the planet (entry is usually free if you work on the island and schmooze the right people), to whiling away the hours lounging on beaches, taking day trips to Formentera, practising yoga, eating Mediterranean food, hanging with hippies, sailing catamarans and generally cruising bars your mates. Whatever you do, you’ll end up making friends for life.
So how do I get work on the island?
All the guides will tell you that the only way to get work in Ibiza is to get a flight here early May, before the season starts – and they’re right. You’ll need to bring some money with you to last anything up to a month of not working. Once you’ve surfed the websites and job boards and called your contacts you then need to start socialising and showing your face. That’s when you’ll hear about available jobs, some of which come with accommodation if you’re lucky. Speaking Spanish helps but is not essential.
There are only two ways to get a regular Ibiza fix – the first, you earn enough money come on holiday here every year (that’s anything between 700 and 1,000 Euros for a week if you’re going to do it properly from Europe) or the second, you just buy that one-way ticket and work it baby.
The 2003 closing parties later this month will mark the end, for many, of a long hot season working unsociable hours (August is 7 days a week for most), with poor pay, basic accommodation and dealing with the August queues, demanding tourists and clubber’s on come downs…but it’s worth it!
In May each year, thousands of young people descend on Ibiza from all corners of the world in search of seasonal jobs: PR, barman, waiter, shop assistant, musician, DJ, rep, receptionist, to help finance a lifestyle that it totally unique. For some it’s their first year, but for many this is their 2nd, 3rd or even 4th year because they just can’t get enough of it (the hardcore usually stay for good!).
The Ibiza lifestyle is sunny, relaxed, liberal and sexy. That means that when you’re not working (and if you have the energy) you can do just about anything from partying in some of the best clubs on the planet (entry is usually free if you work on the island and schmooze the right people), to whiling away the hours lounging on beaches, taking day trips to Formentera, practising yoga, eating Mediterranean food, hanging with hippies, sailing catamarans and generally cruising bars your mates. Whatever you do, you’ll end up making friends for life.
So how do I get work on the island?
All the guides will tell you that the only way to get work in Ibiza is to get a flight here early May, before the season starts – and they’re right. You’ll need to bring some money with you to last anything up to a month of not working. Once you’ve surfed the websites and job boards and called your contacts you then need to start socialising and showing your face. That’s when you’ll hear about available jobs, some of which come with accommodation if you’re lucky. Speaking Spanish helps but is not essential.