A 26-year-old Cuban known on social media as Estibito shared on Monday the story of how he landed his first job in Spain: a personal gamble during a job interview that ultimately opened the doors for him in the modular construction sector.
In a video posted on TikTok recorded at six in the morning while heading to his current job, Estibito describes the first steps of his working life in the country: registering for unemployment, the procedures he was completely unfamiliar with, and the surprise of discovering that finding a job was not as simple as searching on apps.
"I thought it was just about looking for a job like that on the apps and stuff," he acknowledged.
However, after completing the necessary procedures, the result was quick: "I found a job in less than 10 days, thank God, and my first job was in modular construction."
What made the difference was his attitude during the interview. Estibito had worked in construction in Cuba since he was 14 or 15 years old, during the summer breaks, alongside his father and stepfather. He had also studied the subject on the island, although he had no experience with Spanish modular construction. Far from hiding it, he stated openly: "I don’t know anything about working in modular construction, but if you give me a week to prove myself, you won’t regret hiring me."
The company accepted the challenge. "My words were my actions, and they hired me," he summarized.
Estibito remained in that first job for a year, with 14 paychecks and regularly working overtime. During that time, he learned techniques specific to the industry: "I learned how to install drywall, I learned how to make roofs, I learned how to do all sorts of things that nowadays when I update my resume, I get hired for many jobs."
The effort had a clear purpose: "I worked extremely hard in order to achieve my dreams and reach my goals, both for myself and for my family in Cuba."
Estibito's testimony is representative of a generation of Cubans who arrive in Spain and start working in sectors such as construction or hospitality. Other Cubans in similar circumstances have shared comparable experiences: a Cuban construction worker in A Coruña revealed earning between 1,200 and 1,300 euros a month, although a significant portion of that income goes to rent and living expenses.
At the end of the video, Estibito delivered a direct message to those seeking jobs in Spain: "Get out there and distribute your resumes everywhere, visit companies, meet face-to-face with people, dress well, speak confidently, showcase your skills, and if you don’t know something, admit it but express your eagerness to work, and you’ll see how you’ll find an opportunity."
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