Working
in Portugal can be a fun and interesting way to get to know the people
and the country. Some people don’t decide they want to stay until
they get to Portugal and realize how beautiful and addictive it is.
But if possible, it is a good idea to do some research about working
in Portugal before quitting your day job.
Tips for finding
a job in Portugal
One of the first
places to start your research is with the tourist office or consulate
office in Portugal. They will be able to tell you what type of
documentation is needed, regulations governing workers of your
home country, and other important information. They may also have
some ideas on where to find a job
in Portugal.
Promising career
fields
If you have
a particular field in which you want to work, research companies
and organizations in that field and send them a letter of interest
along with your resume. Employers in certain career areas are more
likely to hire you from this type of contact. Some of the more
promising fields are in the skilled or professional careers including
nurses, mechanics, and computer and other technology people.
Teaching English is another career area where foreigners are able
to find work in Portugal. Many schools and private organizations
and families are looking for native English speakers to teach the
language to children, employees, and others who need or want to learn.
Those with certification and experience are much more likely to
be hired. The Anglo-Portuguese News is an English language paper
that often provides listings of tutoring or nanny positions in Portugal.
In fact, the want ads of national, regional and local newspapers
are a good way to find job openings in any country, and Portugal
has several dailies and a Saturday paper that list vacancies in different
parts of the country.
Portugal’s
labour market
Looking at the
labour market statistics in Portugal, one sees that the services
sector has replaced agriculture and fishing as one of the main
sectors. In 2000, 52.4% of the Portuguese workforce could be found
in some form of service occupation. A large number of these work
in the tourism industry.
Thanks to membership
in the EU and funds that have come along with that, the banking
industry is one of the fastest growing service sectors. Employers
are in need of workers with experience in accounting, finance,
and consumer credit. Much of the EU funds have gone for construction
projects, creating an increase in the demand for workers in the
construction field. This was heightened by Portugal being selected
to host the Euro Portugal football tournaments, but the building
fervour has since subsided.
There are employment
opportunities for those who have an interest in working in Portugal,
however as in most countries, obtaining employment requires research,
effort, and a little luck. Those with relevant skills, an open
mind about wages and knowledge of the Portuguese language are likely
to have the most success working in Portugal.
|
