This section contains information that should give you a fuller picture of the country that might help you and websites that you might find useful. It is divided into the following areas
Don't forget you can find out about current job vacancies, working overseas or in the UK, on the Careers & Employability Service website.
Work opportunities in Portugal
are not regarded as good. Portugal is one of the
poorest countries in the EU and salaries are also
low. Portuguese enterprises traditionally do not
hire foreign workers. The most likely job openings
are in tourism and teaching, or in infrastructure
projects.
Prospects,
Hobsons
and the
EURES
website has extensive information on working, living
and studying in Portugal.
Very little employer information is available in
Portugal. Speculative applications are very common,
often through personal contact. Working holidays
can help here in providing a good way to network
with potential employers. Telephone for the name
of the appropriate person to write to when writing
'on spec' and letters should be handwritten. Typed
letters are expected when applying to an advertised
vacancy. Your letter should emphasis your skills
and experience. A CV should be presented in reverse
chronological order with a covering letter. Three
to four pages is not unusual. This should include
personal details, education - list courses, professional
training, work experience and lingustic ability
(in order of fluency), computer skills. Examples
of Portugese
CVs can be found here.
EU or EEA nationals can use the Portugese employment
services on an equal basis with Portugese nationals.
These are the Centris de Emprego and they offer
information about job vacancies, training opportunities
and give advice on job hunting. Job adverts may
be found in the daily newspapers.
The major papers are Diario de Noticiasm, Publico,
Correio da Manha, Comercial do Porto, Jornal de
Notjcias and the Expresso.
The European Employment Service (EURES)
network of advisers can also be a useful source
of vacancies.
Key resources include: