Working Abroad Career Guide for Brazil

browse our new site for overseas Americans thinking of their own small business- Small Biz Abroad.com

This is only a small part of the 75+ pages packed with information in the Going Global Career Guide for Brazil:

About Going Global Career Guides:

All you need to know to grab a global career in the country of your choice and work abroad. 75+ pages packed with detailed information from job sites to intensive interview advice, 500+ resources per guide researched and prepared by local experts. Each Country Career Guide is in PDF format that can be purchased, downloaded and printed for your personal use. An exceptional value for only $14.95

For more information and to check for updates, click here: http://www.goinglobal.com/

Country Profile
Brazil has enjoyed a quarter century of steady industrial, agricultural and financial growth. Now the economic hub of South America, the country gained its independence in 1822, following three hundred years of Portuguese rule. Brazil's lush forests, vast plains, rolling lowlands and coastal belt are rich in natural minerals, supporting the nation's highly developed agricultural and mining industries.

Brazil's gorgeous beaches and tropical climate attract millions of tourists each year, but most Brazilians-over half of the nation's 175 million-cluster in cities such as São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, and Brasilia, where the altitude, sea breezes, and polar cold fronts create a more temperate climate. Governed by a federative republic, Brazil's 26 states dominate South America, covering a vast 8,547,403 square kilometers. The country's president, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, is both the chief of state and the head of the government. He was re-elected to his second term of office in 1998.

After battling rising inflation rates and financial recession throughout the 1990s, the Brazilian government initiated a fiscal adjustment program, made commitments to structural reform, and eventually received a $41.5 USD billion IMF-led international support grant. At the dawn of the new millennium, Brazil is thriving; the 2000 fiscal year ended with a record $30 million USD in direct foreign investments.

Professional Resources
A number of professional organizations, networking associations, trade unions, publications, websites and other resources are available to foreigners seeking work in Brazil. For example, Conjuntura Economica, a monthly Portuguese publication, covers economic and business conditions in Brazil, including price indices in different sectors, financial markets, employment, statistics and data for the 500 major Brazilian companies. Exame, published bi-weekly, is a widely circulated magazine that provides information on economic trends, business, industry, management, and focuses on various national financial developments.

Expatriates can search newspapers and online telephone directories for valuable business information and classified ads. The website for Listas OESP (in Portuguese only) offers free posting of business information and is searchable by category. It also provides links to useful phone numbers, classified ads, and more. Most major cities
also feature clubs and societies for specific foreign nationals. The American Club of Rio de Janeiro and the American Society of São Paulo are good networking resources for job-seekers from the United States.

Job Search Resources
Foreign job-seekers living in Brazil should brush up on their networking skills. To most Brazilians, "networking"-seeking employment recommendations through friends, colleagues, professional associates and industry contacts-is as important as a good résumé. Many Brazilians apply directly to employers by
submitting a résumé or by completing a job application. Don't be surprised if you're asked to sit down for an impromptu interview.

Internet job sites and services, such as empregos.com.br, post job announcements from employers and recruiters. Most websites are free and allow job-seekers to post their résumés, input job search criteria, and scan the site's database for job openings. Job applicants can also contact the National System of Employment office and visit Brazilian work-placement offices, which are subsidized by the Brazilian federal government and the Ministry of
Work and Employment.

Job-seekers can meet with employers in person at job fairs and career events. C-events.com is a dnamic portal for information about fairs and events in Brazil and worldwide. ITM is another resource that maintains a web site with listings of monthly career events in the country. Often companies with pressing staffing needs utilize career fairs to meet potential applicants. These events are often free of charge and provide a great environment to interact with employers and ask questions about relocation, salaries, and benefits in a less formal environment.

Financial Considerations
If you're looking for housing, be wary of Brazilian real estate agents-many operate with few legal restrictions. It is usually a good idea to work with several different real estate agents at the same time, since many cities offer no central multiple-listing service. Unfurnished residences often have no amenities; light fixtures, bathroom fixtures (including toilet seats), closets and other hardware items may be missing. Prospective tenants should hire a company or private lawyer to check over any rental agreement before signing. Housing in major Brazilian cities can be very expensive; a one-bedroom apartment in Rio de Janeiro can cost an average of 5192 Reals (BRL) ($1900 USD) a month.

The Ministry of Health provides health coverage for all employed persons in industry, commerce, domestic servants, and self-employed; public employees have a separate system. Workers in Brazil are eligible for medical benefits including medical and dental treatment, hospital treatment, and medicines. Services provided include general and specialist care; hospitalization; and dental care. Dependents receive the same benefits as the insured.

Brazilian tax legislation provides that taxes may be levied on income and capital gains earned by individuals residing in Brazil from sources abroad, as well as income and capital gains received in Brazil by individuals residing abroad. Once someone becomes a resident taxpayer (especially when a permanent working visa is granted), individual income tax is due both under withholding basis and yearly return.

Employment Trends
Since World War II, the level of employment in Brazil has coincided generally with the expansion of the country's labor force. However, there have been considerable changes in the occupational structure.

Currently, Brazil is going through a period of great transformation that envolved from new demands from society and the accelerated transformation of the Brazilian businesses to increase their efficiency and productivity, contributing to a more solid base for the growinf Brazilian economy.

The Brazilian workforce is rejuvenating itself. Currently, the job market is more attractive for people between the ages of 25 and 39 years old. Additionally, the structural transformation of the Brazilian economy is creating a more competitive environment as the different industries incorporate technological innovations and new managerial techniques, resulting in more strict requirements for more qualified workers.

Resume/CV's
A job application in Brazil should include a cover letter (one page typed in A4 format), and a resume of not more than two pages. Attachments, such as grades, diplomas or actual references are not necessary initially.

Begin with Personal Contact information: give your street address, and phone, fax and e-mail numbers. Then, under "Education," list the names and locations of your colleges or universities, years of attendance, majors, certificates and/or degrees. Also, list additional courses, study abroad, and specialized training, such as computer
and languages,

For each position you list under work experience, give dates of employment, the name of your employer, your title, your responsibilities and achievements. This should be in reverse chronological order, with an explanation of any gaps in employment. Promotions, awards, special recognitions should be highlighted. Then, list professional affiliations that are relevant to your work, and describe your involvement within the organizations. Mention, too, your civil status (are you married? What is your citizenship?). At the end, list as references superiors who are familiar with your work.

It is becoming more common in Brazil for employers to accept e-mail or fax applications. In this case, attach your resume to your letter.

Information Technology
IT employment opportunities in Brazil are plentiful, and the demand for computer analysts, programmers, systems administrators and web developers will only continue to grow, experts predict. Expanding telecommunications companies, bigger markets and increased international investments are all causing the Brazilian IT market to swell exponentially. The Brazilian Society of Computer Scientists (SBC) is the key organization behind the creation and
development of the IT industry in the country.

Many IT jobs in Brazil do not require a specific standard certification, but most employers place weight on a college education and relevant work experience. For more complex IT positions, graduate degrees are preferred. Computer hardware engineers or network administrators usually need a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering. Software engineers, programmers, and database managers and administrators are more likely to have software engineering degrees.

For systems analysts, programmer-analysts, or database administrators, employers tend to seek applicants who have bachelor's degrees in computer science, IT, or management information systems (MIS). Product vendors or software firms, such as Microsoft and Cisco, offer certifications that can demonstrate a level of competency or quality in a particular field and are appreciated by Brazilian employers.

Interviewing Advice
What to expect in an interview situation depends on where in Brazil you interview. In the smaller cities, business is conducted only in Portuguese, and the operations are generally centralized and quite formal. In the larger cities, such as Brasilia, life is much more cosmopolitan. Many Brazilians are multilingual. The following advice is true no matter where you interview in Brazil:

• Wear well-cut, conservative clothing. Brazilians are very fashion conscious.
• Have your business cards printed in both Portuguese and your native language.
• Expect brief comments about the weather, soccer or traffic before beginning the discussion.
• While most Brazilians have warm personalities, they are not extroverts, so be modest; over-ambition, bragging and aggressiveness are in poor taste.
• Women in Brazil are usually at a disadvantage; though treated respectfully, they do not often hold positions of responsibility.
• Avoid questioning about salary or benefits early in the process.
• At the end, and in a gracious note to follow, thank the interviewers for their time.

Engineering
Competitive pressures and advancing technologies are forcing companies to improve their product design as well as their manufacturing processes. Employers rely on engineers to increase productivity and invest in equipment to expand the output of good and services craved by the Brazilian market. Engineers are constantly needed to build roads, bridges, water control systems, and other public facilities.

A bachelor's degree in engineering is required for entry-level jobs and junior positions. For high-demand specialties, a master's degree may open doors. Most engineering degrees are in electrical, mechanical, civil, and industrial engineering. Many engineers seek advanced degrees in engineering or business administration to learn
new technologies or to boost career opportunities in management of engineering-related positions. For junior positions, between two to five years of experiences is preferred by employers, and ten to 15 years of experience are a required for senior or managerial positions. Additionally, most engineering jobs request some English
and/or Spanish language skills.

Various publications and trade associations are available for engineering job-seekers in Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Biomédica, a Brazilian biomedical engineering magazine, publishes the results of research and development in biomedical engineering and other related fields. The Brazilian Society of Biomedical Engineering (Sociedade Brasileira de Engenharia Biomédica, or SBEB), is centered in Rio de Janeiro and promotes the development and integration of Brazilian biomedical engineering.

Work Permits
A business or permanent residence visa is required for most foreign visitors. Visa applications can typically be processed within a few days. To obtain a visa, one must be the administrator, manager, or director of an established or new Brazilian professional or business corporation; be a foreigner who intends to remain permanently in Brazil and to invest foreign funds in productive activities; be a researcher or high-level specialist; be a retired foreigner, over 50, who will transfer the monthly equivalent of at least $2,000 USD to Brazil; be married to a Brazilian citizen, or have dependent Brazilian offspring.

A Temporary V General Work Permit is required to work in Brazil and must be submitted by a Brazilian sponsor. The Brazilian Consulate will notify foreign nationals of their acceptance. It takes roughly two months to process the permit and is valid for two years. Requirements for the work permit mandate that the expatriate must receive at least a portion of the salary in Brazil and must pay the appropriate taxes within Brazil.

Accounting & Finance
Brazilian accounting and finance professionals are in high demand. Many business establishments and corporations in Brazil now require accountants and auditors to set up books, prepare taxes, and provide management advice. Accounting and finance professionals offer management and consulting services, take an advisory role, and develop flexible accounting systems, which has been a natural evolution in the profession following the increasing role of IT in the financial services area.

Many jobs in finance require a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field. Candidates with degrees in finance, accounting, economics, and business administration have an advantage in the job markets if they also hold a certification, licensure, a master's degree, or proficiency in accounting or auditing software. For junior positions, employers seek candidates with between one to three years of experience, and for senior or managerial positions experience may even be more important than formal education; employers seek candidates of at least ten to 15 years of experience in the field.

Several finance publications publish industry news and reports, keeping accounting and finance professionals abreast of Brazilian and international business trends. Published in English and Portuguese, Latininvestor is an excellent source for national finance, investment, and privatization information.

Cultural Advice
With time, experience and patience, most foreigners will make a successful transition into Brazilian life. Before you take off for the pampas, however, keep these cultural tips in mind:

• A certain amount of machismo pervades Brazilian culture, and businesswomen should be aware of the attitude of male dominance. The primary responsibility of women in Brazil is considered to be to care for the home and the family. Expatriate businesswomen will encounter few Brazilian women in positions of authority and should not be surprised to find themselves the only woman in a roomful of men. Women will be treated courteously, but will have to work hard to gain respect from their Brazilian counterparts.

• When doing business, remember that prior appointments are always necessary. If you need to schedule a business meeting, keep in mind that although business hours are generally from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., executives begin later in the morning and work later into the evening. Meetings are usually scheduled with an initial letter, then a follow-up telephone call to make sure the letter was received, and finally settling on a mutually agreeable time. The best hours for meetings would be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Meetings should be scheduled at offices, rather than in restaurants or bars.

• Brazilians prefer doing business only after establishing a personal relationship based on sincerity and trust. Expatriates must be willing to devote the time required to develop these personal relationships. Brazilian business people like continuing relationships, with increasing trust and long-term commitments. In the same vein, business people should not expect to negotiate a deal in a short time. The pace of business in Brazil is much slower than that to which many expatriates are accustomed.

• If one is invited to a small party and must leave early, tell the hosts upon arrival. Brazilian associates do not often invite outsiders into their homes as Brazilians have a very strong sense of privacy. Their homes are regarded as sanctuaries where time is spent with one's family.

Sales & Marketing
Industry experts predict that Brazilian business will continue to demand a high number of sales and marketing professionals. As South America's economic and industrial hub, Brazil is home to well-established and sophisticated advertising agencies, with high standards and levels of creativity. TV advertising plays an important role in the promotion of consumer goods and food products.

Participation in Brazilian trade fairs is another important marketing tool. The city of São Paulo hosts approximately 300 trade fairs per year, many of international quality and reputation.

No specific degree is required for entry-level sales and marketing jobs, but most successful applicants obtain experience in related positions first. Depending on the company, experience may be more important than a college degree in sales. For a junior sales position, at least three years experience is expected when no college degree
is needed, and for senior sales positions at least ten to 15 years of experience is required. Marketing and promotion management usually requires a bachelor's or master's degree in business administration, with concentration on marketing or advertising. Most management positions in sales and marketing are filled through
the promotion of experienced staff.

General Business
The close-knit, highly interpersonal dynamics of Brazilian culture permeate Brazilian business. The pace of business transactions and negotiations tends to be slower than in countries such as the United States or Germany. Brazilian business is based much on personal contact; it is rare for important deals to be concluded by telephone or letter. Many Brazilian executives do not react favorably to quick and infrequent visits by foreign sales representative, but prefer a more continuous working relationship. But expatriates shouldn't be fooled by the slower, more laid-back
pace of Brazilian culture. Brazilian executives and professionals are very knowledgeable about industrial technology and modern business practices.

The most successful management and consulting job applicants have college degrees in Business Administration, Marketing, Economics or Finance. Depending on the position, experience may be as important as the college degree. For junior management jobs, between three to five years of experience is expected; for senior
positions, between five and 15 years of experience is required. Often, senior positions are awarded to people with a master's degree in business administration. Employers expect business candidates to possess strong Portuguese skills, good conversational English and sometimes even good conversational Spanish. Revistadigital.com is an electronic magazine featuring business information and local trands.

This is only a small part of what is found in the 75+ information packed pages of the Going Global Career Guide for Brazil: About Going Global Career Guides:

All you need to know to grab a global career in the country of your choice and work abroad. 75+ pages packed with detailed information from job sites to intensive interview advice, 500+ resources per guide researched and prepared by local experts. Each Country Career Guide is in PDF format that can be purchased, downloaded and printed for your personal use. An exceptional value for only $14.95

For more information and to order, click here: http://www.goinglobal.com/

Country Career Guides Table of Contents

I. COUNTRY PROFILE

II. JOB-SEARCH RESOURCES
1.Online Job Sites
2.Government-Sponsored Employment Offices
3.Job Fairs/Career Events
4.Staffing Agencies/Temporary Help Firms
5.Newspapers that Publish Job Advertisements
6.Other Resources

III. EMPLOYMENT TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES

General Trends
Information Technology
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
Engineering
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
Accounting and Finance
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
Sales and Marketing
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources
General Business
1. Certification/Education Requirements
2. Organizations/Trade Associations
3. Publications
4. Other Resources

IV. PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND RESOURCES
1.Business Organizations/Trade Councils
2.Chambers of Commerce
3.Telephone Directories
4.Publications
5.Other Resources

VI. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS ( Cost of living, salaries, health insurance, taxes, vacation/leave, benefits, etc)

VII. WORK PERMITS/VISAS

VIII. JOB APPLICATION GUIDELINES
1.Cover Letter Guidelines and Sample
2.Resume/CV Guidelines and Samples

IX. INTERVIEWING ADVICE

X. CULTURAL ADVICE

XI. COUNTRY RESOURCE BOOKS