Colombia

Colombia Talent Market Overview

Tech Talent Market Capacity

Colombia Tech Ecosystem

International Companies with Offices in Colombia: Facebook, Atton, Furukawa, Starbucks, Itaú Bank, Axa Seguros

Local Unicorns: Habi, LifeMiles, Rappi, Addi, Kiwibot, Platzi​

Colombia Infrastructure:

Internet Connectivity: Colombia has made substantial progress in expanding internet access, particularly in urban areas. By the fourth quarter of 2022, there were 48.9 million internet connections in Colombia, including 8.8 million fixed internet access points and 40.1 million through mobile connections. The predominant technology is 4G, accounting for 85.2% of connections

Mobile Penetration: The mobile subscription growth in Colombia has been steadily increasing, with a significant quarterly rise over recent years. Mobile penetration reached an estimated 155.8% in Q4 2022, suggesting the mobile voice market is nearing saturation

Payments

Generally, international payment methods like SWIFT, PayPal, and Wise are used. Cryptocurrency usage is also emerging as a viable option.

Payment Frequency: Typically, payments are made monthly.

Talent Acquisition

Job Search Platforms: For Colombia, popular job search platforms include LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, and Computrabajo. Specific platforms for Colombia could not be identified within the provided document.

Talent Acquisition: Companies like GoGloby.io are key in sourcing talent in technology, marketing, and more.

Interview Behavior: Interviewees are expected to be punctual and to focus on their qualifications during the interview. It is important to avoid topics that may be considered discriminatory. Personal relationships play a significant role in Colombian business culture, and networking is crucial. It’s advisable to engage in friendly conversation and be as transparent as possible to build trust.

Probation Period: The probation period is optional and typically recommended to be 1/5 of the contract duration, up to a maximum of 2 months. For permanent employees, it is generally two months​

Working Culture in Colombia

Cultural Compatibility: Colombian business culture emphasizes punctuality, respect for hierarchy, and the importance of personal relationships. Face-to-face communication is preferred, and Colombians may not explicitly express disagreement in meetings. They value courteous and polite negotiation, and small talk is often a part of business meetings. Trust and personal rapport are crucial in decision-making.

Relationships: Personal relationships are vital in Colombian business culture, with networking and building trust being key components for successful business dealings. Face-to-face meetings are preferred to deepen these personal relationships​

Time & Punctuality: Punctuality is essential in Colombian business settings, conveying respect for others’ time. However, a slight delay of about five minutes is generally acceptable. Small talk often precedes business discussions in meetings.

Hierarchy & Decision-Making: Colombian business practices are hierarchical, with decisions usually made at higher levels of management. However, decision-making also involves a degree of face-to-face communication and respect for seniority and positions.

Workplace Environment: The Colombian workplace emphasizes the value of relationships and outcomes over strict adherence to schedules. A friendly and collaborative work environment is common, with a focus on team integration and supportive atmospheres.

Employment Termination in Colombia

Notice Period:

When an employment agreement is unilaterally ended by either the employer or employee, a written declaration citing the reason or grounds for this action is required at the time of ending, barring certain exceptional circumstances.

This procedure of termination is governed by specific legal standards, including those outlined in employment contract law, wage legislation, and social insurance norms. If an employer ends an employee’s contract, they must justify their decision as “reasonable” under legal scrutiny to avoid possible sanctions or financial penalties.

Notification Period Guidelines:

In Colombia, the requisite period for notification varies based on the situation:

No notification is needed if an employee is discharged due to wrongdoing.

For individuals employed under a term-specific contract, a written notification should be delivered to the employee 30 days before the expiration of the contract.

For those employed under non-term-specific contracts, a 15-day notification is required for dismissals related to subpar performance. In these instances, the employee has a 24-hour window to contest the dismissal.

Frequently Asked Questions