Many are the routes to becoming gainfully employed in Mexico. A lot will depend on your credentials, language abilities (entre mejor sea tu español, más oportunidades vas a tener), and savvy networking skills. Look to really get involved with Mexico and meet people. The best opportunities are discovered through the grapevine.

Telecommuters, you'll have the easiest time of it. All you have to do is make sure you move to a place with good and reliable internet connection (relatively easy these days, unless your sights are set on the boonies), set up automatic deposit into your bank account, and your ready to go. Mexico is very much a cash economy, so you don't really need checks or anything like it. I just hit the ATM whenever I need to and smile knowing nine times out of ten I'm getting the best exchange rate that way anyway.

If you're looking for a non-telecommuting job, become an au pair or transfer with your company.

If they don't have that option, international head hunters are a good idea if its a high end profession, especially if you work 70 hours a week and can't just jet to Mexico for a one month job hunt extravaganza. They're already plugged in, cost around $800-$1200, and the company usually takes care of your FM3 visa. Not having to deal with INM (immigration) is a big time-saving perk.

For most other jobs, there are positions posted online, but I still think personal networking works better. Emails inquiries are usually ignored entirely in favor of real live people standing in the entrance. Visit the place you want to live, find the locals, stalk the expats, talk to anyone who will respond, walk into businesses, and find out who's hiring.

In lieu of a visit, call about a job, exchange emails with the person in charge of hiring, ask for advice, develop a long distance friendship with them. The personal contact will get you further than the best CV in the world.

If you're a wild spirit with every intention on just packing and pointing yourself south, hit the forums first. Tell people of your crazy intentions and ask where the jobs are. And don't shy away from Spanish language forums. Many Spanish speakers that are online can read you and respond.

Already in Mexico? Head for the ESL schools. Yes, they'll help you with your FM3. No, you don't need to be certified, licensed, or degreed-unless you want to work at a university. Just get over your stage fright, take the training they offer, and sell that intentional commodity swirling around in your head: English. It'll buy you time to design your life, and who knows, you may stumble into a new career.

Places I love:

-Playa del Carmen
-Cancun
-Guanajuato
-San Miguel de Allende
-Queretaro
-Cuernavaca

You?