Costa Rica is well known to have some of the most breathtakingly beautiful beaches on the Pacific and Caribbean coast, boasting miles and miles of sandy shores. In addition to being a leader in ecological, sustainable development, this country is one of the very few that has nearly reached their goal of becoming carbon neutral.
But beyond the beauty, surf, and sand that Costa Rica has to offer, this little Central American country is also home to some of the best employers in the world, which makes living here even more attractive. Whether you already live in Costa Rica and are seeking a new occupation, or are simply looking for a fresh start in a new country, below are just a few companies to consider applying to:
SC Johnson
Established in more than 70 countries worldwide, SC Johnson has always been just as committed to its employees as it is with its customers. A true “Family Company,” SC Johnson offers an immense range of career opportunities and work/life programs for its employees in order to attract a unique culture that sets them apart from other companies.
Their 18-month long mentoring program alone attracts more than 200 mentors/mentees annually, giving mentees the opportunity to set their own objectives and take advantage of the resources available to them through the program to meet those goals. Depending on an individual’s work experience, SC Johnson’s Mentoring Up and Executive Shadowing programs are also available to those interested in learning and developing new skills needed in the professional world.
PokerStars
Recently selected to be one of the top places to work for by The Great Place to Work Institute, PokerStars is well known for the experiences they are able to give not only to their customers, but to their employees as well. Though the quality of their products and services has already made PokerStars a leader in the entertainment industry, they are always looking for unique minds with a passion for excellence to even further globalize their brand and strive to reward those who achieve.
At PokerStars, everything from anniversaries to personal milestones to holidays are celebrated, making social engagement and well-being a high priority to its employees. The “Daily Star” initiative, for example, was implemented to highlight different employees on a regular basis to celebrate their individual achievements. “It’s an honour to be on the Great Place to Work Institute list of the UK’s Best Workplaces and it is a testament to the people-focus of our entire organization,” stated Lynn Hunter, Director of Human Resources at PokerStars, in a recent interview.
Microsoft
It’s no secret that technology companies are looking for brilliant minds to add to their teams, now more so than ever. And in Costa Rica particularly, Microsoft has been selected as one of the best places to work as far as tech companies go. Offering more than 2,000 online training courses as well as in classrooms, the benefits that Microsoft has to offer go well beyond getting great discounts on their products and services. “At our core, Microsoft is the productivity and platform company for the mobile-first and cloud-first world. We will reinvent productivity to empower every person and every organization on the planet to do more and achieve more,” Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, stated in a letter written to his employees.
According to many of those who enjoy working at the company, Microsoft understands that everyone is different and flexible working hours are well-supported, as each person’s optimal work-life balance varies. Offering everything from paid special leave for new parents to mentoring programs and even social clubs, this company fully understands that when their employees are happy, their company is as well.
Nextel/Sprint
The importance of work-life balance is something that can never be underestimated — something that Nextel understands very well. Whether it be an entry-level sales position or executive gig, Nextel ensures that their employees always have room to grow. While the free phone service and discounts are excellent perks, the majority of Nextel’s employees are attracted to the work/life balance the environment provides.
In addition to the typical benefits, like life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and other financial planning assistance, the work/life balance programs Nextel provides to its employees, such as leave-of-absence, relocation assistance, and medical coverage, are well-praised.
FedEx
Though employees of FedEx may not have the ability to work from home in Costa Rica, this company is known to offer some of the most attractive and comprehensive benefits packages and work/life programs. Similar to the “Daily Star” incentive offered at PokerStars, FedEx offers a range of recognition programs that celebrate various achievements of their employees, including the Five-Star Award, Excellence Award, Purple Promise Quality Award, the Purple Promise Award, the Bravo Zulu Award, and the Humanitarian Award — all of which are given to those who commit the most to delivering on the values of the company.
“Leadership is simply the ability of an individual to coalesce the efforts of other individuals toward achieving common goals,” said Frederick W. Smith, CEO of FedEx. “It boils down to looking after your people and ensuring that, from top to bottom, everyone feels part of the team.” And that is exactly what FedEx strives to achieve each and every single day with its employees.
When it comes to finding a great career in Costa Rica, it’s clear to see that you don’t have to look very far. Globalization is only continuing to grow, and as technology continues to advance along with it, we can only expect to see many more career opportunities around the world. So, whether you’re interested in working from home and setting your own hours, or want to try something new and are looking for a company who will support you the entire way, you are bound to find the resources you need in Costa Rica.