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The Cayman Islands is well known for its financial services industry, yet there is more to Cayman than a world-class international financial centre. The Cayman Islands’ second economic pillar is seeing unprecedented growth in spend, as the Islands continue to attract high-end tourists. The strength of these two industries is having a knock-on effect on life in Cayman, as indicated by the Economic and Statistics Office as they released the 2019 Q1 results: “Indicators show that the economic performance was broad-based, led by expansions in hotels and restaurants (7.9%), wholesale and retail trade, repair and installation of machinery (5.9%), construction (5.8%), other services (7.1%), and real estate (5.2%)”¹.

The Ritz-Carlton Cayman Islands has just unveiled the Caribbean’s largest (undoubtedly luxury) suite, which spans a huge 18,000 feet², showcasing beautiful design and a commitment to luxury travel. This is hot on the heels of the Ritz hosted Cayman Cookout, a food festival that brings in world-class chefs and tourists alike. This high-end approach to tourism in Cayman is replicated through the services and amenities available on island and the ripple effect is cascading in full motion, for tourists and residents alike.

As the local resident population swells to over 65,000, the design and construction industries are also seeing huge growth in the Cayman Islands, and like the new Ritz suite, the world is watching and approving of Cayman’s high standards and innovative approaches. New urban chic architecture, alongside Cayman cultural heritage (and sometimes the two together), are just two of the emerging styles evident at awards ceremonies such as the International Property Awards, with beautiful developments such as the Residences at Stone Island gaining global recognition. Cayman isn’t just about beauty however, innovative design such as NCBs Cayman Technology Centre utilises novel design queues and off-the grid energy solutions – as a growing focus on sustainability is also emerging in Cayman.

Whilst people who know the Cayman Islands well, know that there is a plethora of things to do on vacation, from paragliding to swimming with the Stingrays, there is another side of the Cayman Islands that is becoming more popular and that is the emphasis on wellness, for the environment, residents and the local fauna and flora. Cayman’s increasing resident population is encouraging the ethos of ‘living well, living better’, and this is replicated in the services and activities available.

The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism has long been promoting the subtle differences between the three Cayman Islands, with Little Cayman rightly being highlighted as an eco-tourists dream due to the low development, focus on the environment and laid back attitude with the ocean at its heart. Cayman is starting to be known for a destination that is more than just (one of the world’s most beautiful) beaches. National Geographic recently highlighted some of the more environmentally engaging tourism opportunities, which are obviously open to residents on a much more frequent basis ³. The opportunities to engage with the greener side of Cayman are aplenty which is good for the environment and the soul, including activities like climbing the Bluff in Cayman Brac, supporting the Turtle Nesting project (on all 3 islands), taking a bioluminescence tour, taking a swimming horse-back ride, hiking the mastic trail or simply submerging yourself in the crystal clear ocean and engaging with what’s around you.

There is also a developing wellness industry, including yoga, Pilates, holistic therapy at one of the outstanding health centres, taking part in one of the many 5ks, 10ks, the Cayman Islands marathon or the sea swims, or simply booking into a world-class spa for the day. Cayman is highly focused on health and wellbeing. Paired with a booming food industry, where fresh vegan food, local fish, Sushi, steak houses, fine dining and everything between, it is fair to say that the Cayman Islands is offering some of the best living conditions in the Caribbean region at the moment. So is Cayman one of the best places to live in the Caribbean right now? We think so!

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You are thinking about leaving your job and you are also thinking about a potential move to the Cayman Islands, not only to fulfill your career aspirations by working in the world’s 4th largest financial center but to make living a lifestyle of fresh air, beautiful oceans, and no commute, a reality. However, obtaining a job abroad puts a whole paradigm shift on the recruitment process. Unlike the traditional recruitment methods where you first and foremost head for an interview, getting a job abroad will rely on a lot of digital activity before, and if, a one to one meeting is booked. Meaning, not only does your CV have to be super strong, along with honing your skype interview skills, your digital presence MUST be active and aligned to the kind of jobs that you are applying for.

Whilst the world in general is getting to grips with the fact that you cannot hide from the internet and actions caught online never go away, it is also an extremely positive tool for backing up the person that you say you are. A good place to start is to google yourself. Yes, that’s right, type in your name and see what comes up. You might already have the perfect profile – if not, you need to make some changes. How can you do this?

Firstly, your social media accounts need to verify who you are, and show that you enjoy doing, what you say you like doing. If you say you are technologically savvy but then have no social media presence, your recruiter is going to raise an eyebrow. If it is appropriate for you to have very little social media presence, which is certainly the case for certain senior positions, then your recruiter should not find a plethora of images showing you in various states of party/social/questionable activity. The reality is, most people should have some social media presence, just make sure it is appropriate. You need to sense check what people find when they look into who you are. For example, does your social cyber presence match with what you portray on your CV. If you say you are an active walker, cook, cyclist, etc, then it would be helpful highlight this within your digital profile, whether it’s a blog, or social media. At its most basic, your cyber presence is a verification method of the recruitment process.

Secondly, whatever you share, like or comment that is outside of your ‘wall’ or private posting space, is most likely going to be public. Your ‘self’ google search will help you identify what other people see when they look you up. So, if you are going to have a big old rant about a political leader, or cause that is close to your heart, consider what this may be saying about yourself to people looking into you, especially those without the benefit of knowing you. Remember the people who might not know you, may not realize that you ‘don’t really mean it’ or are ‘just joking’. On the other hand, perhaps you have a friend who tags you in their hilarious posts (that are open to the public), you may want to consider asking them to stop. If you do want to maintain a neutral position on certain topics, cleaning up your social media account is a good idea. Additionally, do remember that a real world does still exist outside of technology and you certainly need to consider the way you present yourself in public – swearing and unkind language that shows intolerance, or could be deemed as disrespectful, should obviously be avoided!

On a final note, you may have already separated your personal from your professional social media presence, if you haven’t, now is a good time to consider the benefits.

Whilst specific work related social media such as LinkedIn can be fantastic at communicating your professional background and interests, it’s no good if you don’t use it or at least use it properly. The key point is to start managing your online presence ensuring it aligns with the roles you are applying for. Networking, keeping up with trends, enjoying life (in the right way) and showing you are passionate, is all fantastic. Just make sure it is all aligned and appropriate.

The Cayman Islands is home to the World’s 6th largest international financial centre (IFC), holding pole position as the offshore hedge funds domicile, globally. Cayman also hosts the world’s second largest captive insurance centre and is a world leader in structured finance.

If you work in the finance sector or the supporting financial services, such as law or accountancy, you will already be fully aware of Cayman’s ranking in the global industry. What sustains and promotes Cayman’s success as a financial sector may not be overly obvious if you don’t live here, however it goes far over and above just a good reputation. There are a few points worth highlighting for people who are considering a move to the Cayman Islands, confirming this is a great career move as well as the perfect lifestyle choice:

The Cayman Islands is a UK Overseas Territory (UKOTS). This means the UK has sovereignty over the Cayman Islands, resulting in a responsibility to ensure their security and good governance. For a small country of circa 65,000 residents, having the weight of the UK behind it brings numerous benefits – but at it’s most simple, being a UKOTS provides the financial industry with the foundation for a safe, secure, and well-regulated environment to do business.
The Cayman Islands Government is pro-business, extremely stable and supports the financial services industry with a positive policy. As a result, the infrastructure and governance of the Cayman Islands is therefore set up to sustain the growth of the financial services sector.
The regulation in the Cayman Islands, via the government and independent body, CIMA (Cayman Islands Monetary Authority), is well regarded globally and brings credibility to the jurisdiction and to all those that work here.
As the Cayman Islands infrastructure is pro business, the reaction to new trends and technology, such as FinTech, including initial coin offerings (ICOs) and cryptocurrencies is highly responsive and supportive,highlighting the jurisdictions’ forward thinking, thorough approach to new business trends.

The Cayman Islands government and financial industry have worked hard in the last 5 years, in particular to ensure Cayman remains off the EU blacklist. There is continuous pro-active networking and engagement between those governing Cayman’s financial services sector, and a range of international jurisdictions with whom Cayman do business, communicating the Islands’ continued commitment to high standards in the industry.

The backdrop for people considering the move to Cayman? The country is safe, has excellent infrastructure and the local government values the work of the industry. Many local scholarship programmes and internships are also offered, so companies can help train the local workforce and contribute on a more meaningful level to the local community. In addition, a move to Cayman will look good on your CV and you will have the opportunity to connect with highly revered professionals at the top of their game.

An in-depth overview for Hedge Fund Managers and those interested in becoming involved within the local Financial Services Industry in general, Cayman Finance has some excellent resources: Click here

Affinity Recruitment is proud to announce that as of September 2018, we have partnered with JTF Recruitment Consultants Inc in order to provide our clients and candidates with additional opportunities.

JTF Recruitment Consultants Inc specializes in the recruitment, counseling, and placement of partners, associates, law clerks, and all legal and administrative support. The Managing Partner Joanne Rossi has over 25 years combined experience as a lawyer and recruiter, having worked in boutique, international and Wall Street firms, as well as in-house legal departments, Joanne specializes in placing lawyers and all legal support staff in law firms and in-house legal departments.

The Cayman Islands Government, via the Premier Alden McLaughlin openly discussed the virtues of the diversity of Cayman’s residents in June 2018,additionally highlighting the Country’s population increase by 70% over the last 20 years. Whilst the government is open about the need for expat workers to support the economy, particularly in the financial services sector, the Cayman Islands infrastructure is straining under this population increase. This strain has had a natural rebound effect on the local Immigration policy, as entry to Cayman has become tighter and more robust.

The Immigration situation in the Cayman Islands is therefore under pressure and for all companies that deal with the work permit process on a regular basis, who have worked through the many changes in Immigration law and practice, it comes as no surprise that a systematic shift to simpler immigration is NOT expected any time soon.

A new trend in response to the increased strain is the outsourcing of immigration management within the workplace. As the process becomes more complicated (or perhaps less clear), the time and effort that can be spent on immigration issues is increasing. Companies like Affinity Recruitment are opening up their services on Immigration as an additional ‘product’ for clients, to reduce complexity, save time and ensure the recruitment process runs smoothly.

According to a global survey conducted by Deloitte, outsourcing has been on the increase globally, hitting a new high in 2016. As a result, the natural move by local companies such as Affinity Recruitment to increase their outsourcing services, is both on trend and in line with global movement. The Deloitte Team summarized that outsourcing has a range of benefits, in addition to the cost savings of paying for a resource on a contract/need only basis. The key outcomes of outsourcing highlighted included improved strategic flexibility and improved contract delivery, exceeding the scope of the original contract (when relationships are well managed).

Whilst the survey addresses outsourcing methods such as using cloud and systems management tech, when taken into context with the local Cayman Islands immigration, the required knowledge and understanding of the laws, plus the navigating of muddied waters, this can only be done by an actual human team at Affinity Recruitment have found an increasing demand for their seasoned approach to immigration as more and more companies turn to outsourcing as the ideal solution for this crucial business service.

https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/nl/Documents/operations/deloitte-nl-s&o-global-outsourcing-survey.pdf

Moving to the Cayman Islands generally depends on having a role secured before you pack your bags (unless you are independently wealthy of course!). These days, interviews take place digitally, rather than flying people to and from. Most people are totally au fait with Skype in their personal lives but less so on a professional footing.

In the old days, interview prep used to involve identifying and correcting how you gesticulate with your hand hands, adjusting the natural position of your legs when sitting, making a calculated decision about which socks you wear, no chewing gum and generally being clean, pressed and presentable etc. Now we must consider the small area of your person that is visible to the interviewer from many thousands of miles away. Therefore, if you are getting yourself geared up to applying for roles abroad, make sure your Skype (or visual media) skills are up to scratch. Affinity has put together a few dos and don’ts to get you ready for that big interview.

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Practice – Ask a friend to play the interviewer and see how you respond within the small window of your computer/ipad. Pay attention to how you sit, what you look at, and how you communicate using body language and eye contact, on screen.

Understand your own quirks (and stop doing them) before you start interviewing – whether it’s swishing your hair, putting your hands in front of your mouth, scratching your head (without knowing it), we all have quirks that have the potential to distract the interviewer.

Set up in good time – do not leave it until the last minute to check where you will be during the interview. Set up in a quiet, private space, preferably away from animals and children (and definitely not in the pub garden!) well before time. Punctuality and being prepared are still key work skills and being late to your interview due to technical issues does not look good.

Use a computer or freestanding screen that can be secured – phones have a tendency to fall over, or worse, ring during your interview.

Do Not:

Interrupt – let the interviewer lead the conversation. It’s really easy to stumble over each other when on an interactive call.

Take the call with bad signal/connection – this is frustrating for everyone involved. Make sure you have a fantastic internet connection, so the call is clear and uninterrupted.

Assume the interviewer won’t see you from the waist down – If you have to stand up for some reason, make sure you are appropriately dressed. Whilst it’s tempting to have your top half looking ready for a snazzy work function and the bottom half still wearing pajamas, you certainly don’t want to reveal that you are only half prepared for the interviewer.

Get distracted – turn everything off and put yourself on ‘do not disturb’. When your eyes wander during the call, so does the interviewer’s respect for you.

If you want more tips on how to prepare for an interview, register with Affinity and the team will put you through your paces as part of their preparation process.

When we left University or the equivalent training scheme that set us on the path to professionalism, there was a clear CV writing formula. The formula was, no more than two pages, use as many jargon or buzz words as possible to show how up to date you are, include as much work experience as you can, use a bland font in a basic word document, make sure you include Microsoft Office as a skill… and definitely do not stray from the formula!

Times have changed quite dramatically over the life of the CV, the trick for senior managers, especially for those who haven’t spent as much time revising their CV throughout their career, is to move with the times and get cut-through in the recruitment sphere.

Getting to the point on your CV, in the coveted 2 pages, is still very much in vogue. The task for people with more experience is they have more experience, so deciding what to cover and what to delete can be quite the challenge. The balance is to know when to expand and when to keep it brief. What you need to imagine, is that the recruiter is looking at 20 CVs, all from people who have the basic qualifications and experience for the job, so why should they pick you?

Firstly, include a personal statement and be sure to include some poignant messaging that will pique interest and become a great interview topic for discussion. Give the recruiter and potential employer a genuine insight into what you are good at and who you are as a person.

Use a simple yet professional looking template, a clear, genuine (this isn’t Tinder) photo, ensuring your personal email conveys the right tone – We have all seen those hilarious Hotmail/gmail addresses, just make sure this is not what your employer sees, you wouldn’t want them to draw the wrong conclusion! Additionally, do make sure you pack your CV with appropriate key words, this will help the skim-reading of your CV gain real impact, heightening the opportunity to get short-listed for more scrutiny.

Most importantly, remember the real meat of the CV still remains the experience and the skills. Keep it relevant, don’t be afraid to summarise or delete experience that isn’t relevant or interesting. Also, don’t assume that either the recruiter or employer understands your previous role in its entirety – if you did something unique, ground breaking or out of the norm, and it’s relevant to the potential new role, include it and expand!

Technology is always an area of development for companies, make sure you include any relevant skills that show you are savvy, embrace change, and like to keep your training (even if out of work) up to date. No, having ‘Microsoft Office’ as a skill does not count as being ‘savvy’ these days.

For potential employees looking to expatriate, especially to jurisdictions such as the Cayman Islands, it is important you highlight how and why you would fit into the Cayman Financial Services sector, both in terms of a professional and cultural context. In a nutshell, make sure you emphasize why you would be the right person for the job.

The old adage ‘it’s not what you know, it’ who you know’ is especially relevant when finding a job in the Cayman Islands. Cayman has a close-knit, often transient and buoyant professional community. The financial services industry is the biggest employer and new recruits are continually being sought by world-leading companies.

So surely it’s easy to find the perfect job in Cayman?

Well, yes, it is, as long as you know the right people. And if you don’t, you need someone who does, to represent you. But first, have a good look at what you are bringing to the workforce. Whether you are an expat or local Caymanian looking to make the next move up the career ladder, the most important aspect of finding the perfect job is making sure you are qualified… or maybe now is the time to see how you can improve your qualifications to enhance your work experience. This sounds simple but take a look at what you want, how much you want to earn, where you want to be in the future and then double check you have the right credentials. Especially if you are an expat looking to move to Cayman (or move roles), experience is simply not enough… you need the proven skills to back you up.

Next, make sure your CV accurately depicts who you are and what you have achieved. For middle to senior managers, getting this aspect of your CV is so important – you may have just tweaked your CV over many years, adding a few lines here and there… so now is probably time for a complete overhaul.Make it look beautiful for a start, make a good impression from the get-go and if you can’t get someone who can!

Finally, get in touch with someone at Affinity to talk to you about roles that suit you and what you really want to achieve. Yes, jobs are advertised in the paper or online but beware the immigration process in the Cayman Islands which means all work permit grants and renewals need to be advertised… unless you are a Caymanian, a lot of these roles are already filled and only being advertised as part of the legally required immigration process. The recruitment teams also work closely with employers to fill upcoming roles, long before the descriptions appear in the traditional advertising streams. If you are looking to move laterally or into a different market with relevant transferable skills, this is where the recruitment process really can help you find the perfect job – before you are presented to an employer, you will have been interviewed and all your background checks complete, so potential employers are likely to listen to a trusted recruitment partner who thinks their candidate has what it takes to fill the job, in a situation when a CV just might not get cut-through.

The best bit about modern technology is remote interviews are so easy – so finding the right job when you aren’t currently in the Cayman Islands is facilitated by being able to talk (often multiple times) to your potential new employer. This is so important – it’s as crucial for you as it is for the employer to get the right fit…

Contact the Affinity Recruitment team today to get your interview set up or check out the most recent jobs.

You can picture yourself on the beach at weekends, enjoying a sundowner after work or a jog along the beach. So what is stopping you from packing your bags and moving to the Cayman Islands?

Quite a few things possibly – let’s face it, only a handful of people really do move abroad. It often seems a farfetched dream rather than something that is easily achievable.

So why should you consider a life surrounded by crystal blue waters and white sandy beaches?

Because these days, with improved communications and ease of travel, it’s not as big a step as you think it might be. The financials services industry in the Cayman Islands is flourishing. Cayman is the number 1 offshore domicile for hedge funds, has a significant international banking presence and is the 2nd biggest captive insurance centre in the world. Moving here can be incorporated into your career progression, thanks to good regulation and positive moves by the Cayman Islands Government and Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA), further establishing Cayman as a major global player.

So you can move here and improve your experience at the same time… perhaps it’s the thought of the unknown, or the barrier of the actual move that’s stopping you from taking the leap of faith?

Expat life in the Cayman Islands is absolutely unbelievable. Grand Cayman, which is where the majority of expats find themselves, has an action-packed, outdoor and sport focused lifestyle, peppered with fantastic restaurants, beach bars and of course, THAT ocean. The health care is good, the super markets are fantastic and you can find nearly everything you need (or miss from home) locally and the social scene, whether you are single, married and/or have a family, is welcoming, warm and very accepting of new people. Caymanians and expats understand that you are a newbie expat and you will find you can settle in very quickly due to this shared sense of being somewhere incredible.

Living in The Cayman Islands means you will meet, work with and become friends with a huge mix of people, Caymanian, British, American, South American, South African, Caribbean, Canadian…it makes for a varied and interesting lifestyle. You can talk to your family and loved ones via Skype or Facetime easily, making the distance automatically shrink. You will also find that by moving to the Caribbean, you have a steady stream of visitors, making it feel more like home and somewhere you want to share!

Moving here is also simple – you just need to know the right people or companies to smooth your way. Securing a job here is the first move and getting involved with a recruitment agency is the most efficient way to get employed – and they can manage the immigration process on your behalf.

Once you have your perfect job, or you take a temp job to get you here, moving really involves booking your flight, packing your bags (including sunscreen and a lot of outdoor clothing) and finding a place to live. The Cayman Resident gives a comprehensive list of who to contact when you get here (and before, where relevant), mapping out the journey and simplifying what you need to know.

If you are reading this, thinking that most of these things are not a barrier for you, you perhaps you are more ready for an expat lifestyle than you realized.

It’s as easy as: find job, book flights, pack, arrive to your new life…

If you’ve been offered a job in the Cayman Islands, or you’re starting to consider applying, you are likely to have quite a few questions about the process of obtaining a work permit and relocating to Cayman.

We speak with lots of job seekers, so we’ve gathered together some advice and information which we think will be useful for anyone relocating to Cayman.
It’s an exciting time so don’t stress 🙂

Which documents do I need to supply for a Cayman work permit application?
You should receive directions from whoever is processing your work permit, but as a rule you will need to supply a police clearance from your home country (or your place of residence for the past 6 months), a full medical assessment including a chest x-ray and blood lab report and a passport sized photo with a white background. You will also need to complete an application form, an accommodation form and a health & pension form.

How long will my work permit take to process?
A temporary work permit will usually take up to 10 business days to process. A full (permanent) work permit can take around 4 to 6 weeks to process.

Can I bring dependents on my work permit?
This will depend on your position and your agreement with your employer. As a rule, you will need to earn over CI$36,000/annum to bring one family member as a dependent on your work permit.

Can I relocate with my pet?
This needs a bit of forward planning – Your dog/cat will need to be at least ten months old to be allowed entry into the Cayman Islands. You will need to complete an Import Permit application and submit with an official health certificate, a rabies laboratory report and the processing fee for the import permit. There is also a list of dogs, which are not allowed to enter Cayman! Check out the CI Customs website for more details on this.

How does health insurance work in the Cayman Islands?
Your employer in Cayman will be responsible for providing health insurance for you and this coverage should be taken out immediately. If you have dependents on your work permit, your employer will also have responsibility for covering their insurance. The Health Insurance Law states that an employer is liable to pay the total cost of your health insurance but is entitled to recover up to 50% of the cost of the premium from your salary.

How do pension schemes work in Cayman?
If you are employed in Cayman, both you and your employer must contribute towards your pension. The contributions that both of you make are related to your total earnings. As an expat in Cayman, you are allowed nine months before legally having to begin paying into a pension scheme.

Hopefully some of the above info was helpful for you. If you have any other questions or would like to discuss your move with us, please feel free to leave a comment or email us on [email protected].

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