Find a job in Recife

shutterstock.com

Updated 2022-03-24 13:57

Recife is the capital of the northeastern state of Pernambuco. With a population of 1.6 million (more than double that of in the metropolitan area), Recife is the eighth-largest city in Brazil. It presents possibly the best opportunity for expats who'd like to live in Brazil's sunny Northeast.

About Recife

Recife has, for many years, been the economic hub of Brazil's Northeast. With a large international airport and two large ports, and being closer to Europe than any other Brazilian city, Recife serves as a focus of shipping. Recife is the principal industrial center for the region.

Tourism also contributes to the city's economy. And in recent years, with government support, information technology has grown to become a major sector. There are jobs, but you'll need to have the requisite skills, including some Portuguese.

If you'd like to work in Recife, you're advised to begin your search for a job from abroad. You can begin by reviewing Expat.com's general guidelines for working in Brazil.

The economy of Recife

Brazil has only recently recovered from a recession. Recife has fared better than some other cities due to its diversified economy, and to its sheer size and importance in the region.

Many large Brazilian and international companies are represented in Recife. A few of the larger and better-known companies include Accenture, Motorola, Samsung, Dell, and Sun Microsystems.

Recife sits on the extreme eastern point of Brazil, making it the largest Brazilian city near Africa and Europe. Recife is an important shipping and trans-shipping hub.

The industry is also paramount in Recife. A wide variety of products are produced here, from ethanol to electronics, to oil platforms. Many of these are for domestic consumption, but others are shipped to foreign markets.

Tourism is also boosting Recife's economy. Recife's principal draw is its beaches. It also has many points of interest that draw tourists in, such as churches, historical monuments, museums, and art galleries. Neighboring Olinda, whose historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also draws many tourists to the area, as does Porto de Galinhas to the south.

Recife, like many other cities in Brazil, is investing heavily in the information technology (IT) area.

Recife is also Brazil's second-largest medical hub (after São Paulo), with many hospitals and clinics in and around the city.

Sectors with potential

Those with a background in logistics may be able to find work in Recife. The amount of international shipping means that English skills will often be valuable. However, Portuguese is still needed, both in the workplace and to function day to day.

Information technology(IT)/software also represents an opportunity, as the sector is large and growing with government and private investments. An area of Recife near the port has been dubbed Porto Digital (Digital Port) and is now home to dozens of tech companies that generate thousands of jobs. Tech skills and English are valuable assets; add in Portuguese, and you may be able to land a good job.

Tourism is another sector in which English is a very desirable skill, although it'll probably not be sufficient to secure you a position. But if you have some Portuguese skills and experience in the business, tourism could be your way in.

Although there are over 400 hospitals and clinics in Recife and the surrounding area, the medical sector may not be the best sector for job hunters. You'll need some Portuguese, and salaries will likely be lower than those available in more developed countries, although living expenses will also likely be lower.

There are two international schools in Recife: The American School of Recife and ABA Maple Bear Canadian School. Certified teachers or education administrators may find work with one of these. Recife also has a few public-owned universities. You might be able to find work there as a researcher or professor, especially if you know Portuguese.

Writing a Brazilian resume

Writing a Brazilian resume shouldn't be too different from writing one in your home country. However, the main difference is you'll have to write it in Portuguese, as it's the main language of Brazil. If you're applying for a job at a multinational company, then you might be able to get away with English. But it's always a good idea to apply in the main language of the country you're going to, as you'll stand out amongst other expats.

Make sure everything you put on your resume is relevant, as you won't want to go over two pages. The first entry should be your most recent job and/or experience. The last entry should be the “oldest” job or experience you have. Put down your education too, besides your elementary education.

You'll also want to type up separate cover letters for every job you apply to. It should be pretty short; a page maximum. State which position you're applying to, why you're interested in it, what strengths you have, and how you'll benefit the company.

Finding work in Recife

Where should you start when it comes to finding work in Recife? Well, it depends on which avenues are available to you and what you feel comfortable with. The more you're able to explore, the better your chances of finding employment in this city.

Finding work online

Most people nowadays prefer to find work online, especially since this allows you to browse job postings and apply without having to fly over.

One main platform job seekers use is LinkedIn. It looks and feels like Facebook, but its main purpose is to help you make business connections. You can add friends you know and also people who are in your field so you can try and network. In addition, you can upload your resume and search for jobs in Recife. If you spot anything you like, you can then apply directly by attaching your uploaded resume and a custom cover letter for that position.

The potential employer's HR department will respond to you either through email or LinkedIn itself, so be on the lookout. You might also be approached by headhunters and recruiters, especially if you've got a unique set of skills that's in demand. However, this doesn't happen very often, so if someone approaches you first, be very careful in how you proceed. Often, it turns out to be scammers.

You can also search online for inter-governmental and multinational firms in Recife, such as shipping and IT companies. Your home country's embassy will have a list of international firms on their website, so that's a good place to look as well.

Finding work offline

Networking still works fantastically well in the 2020s. It's time to get in touch with your Brazilian contacts and those who know Brazilians. By reaching out to your social network, you just might get lucky and happen upon an opportunity you might not have found through other channels.

Are you able to get Brazilian newspapers in your area? Then browse them to see if there are job listings you're qualified for. Otherwise, check their sites, as many newspapers will have digital copies online.

Another channel to try is employment agencies. Do note that this will cost some money, but it'll get you effective results. These professionals are in Brazil and once they receive your information, they can use their skills and connections to find you the perfect job. It can mean the difference between continuously searching for jobs and moving to Recife in the near future, so it can be a worthwhile investment.

Tips for job hunting in Brazil

No matter where you apply in Brazil, it'll be incredibly difficult to get a job. This is because like in many other countries, Brazilian companies must prove they've tried to hire native Brazilians before resorting to hiring foreigners. Not only that, but they must have a company ratio of at least 2:1 for native Brazilians vs foreigners. You might be exempt from these requirements if you're married to a Brazilian citizen, have a Brazilian-born child, or you've lived in the country for at least 10 years.

You might be able to get away with speaking English at some jobs, but for the most part, knowing Portuguese can really help you out. Both the private and public sectors are looking for multilingual employees, so if you know Portuguese, English, and even another language, your chances of finding a job are much better.

You should know that your titles and certificates from your home country won't be recognized in Brazil. You'll have to retake exams, and these are in Portuguese, so again, it'll be a huge help to know the language before moving over. Otherwise, it can take quite some time to build your foundation back up and find a decent job.

In general, it'll be much each to start off with a job at a multinational company in your home country. Then, ask for a transfer to their Recife branch. This allows you to bypass a lot of the above requirements and you'll most likely be able to speak your native language at work, even in Recife.

Work culture

When you work in Recife or any part of Brazil, expect the work culture to be similar to what you'd find in other Western countries. Flat organizations are very rare and instead, workplaces are hierarchical. Expect roles to be defined and ranked; don't overstep boundaries.

Brazilian workplaces are corporate and formal, and it's no different in Recife. Because of this, dress professionally. Appearances are important in Brazil, so make sure your fashion sense is impeccable. Rarely will you have a workplace where you can dress casually.

One thing to note is that if you work in a corporate environment, most people will be able to speak English fluently, especially if you're working with younger people, as they'll be well-educated. This is thanks to the education system emphasizing English teaching more in recent years.

Another thing you should be aware of is tardiness is normal in Brazilian society, both in normal social situations and at work. So if people walk in 10 to 20 minutes late to a meeting, no one bats an eye, and neither should you. We'd advise against following Brazilian customs here though, since it's a bad habit and wouldn't be accepted anywhere else.

In the office, interpersonal relationships are very important. Coworkers often become close friends. You should expect that people will ask you about your personal life. They'll also be very warm in greeting you. Hugs are the norm, while two kisses on the cheek are for women.

As you go from the south of Brazil to the north, both social and workplaces settings become more and more informal. Considering that Recife is located more towards the north of the country, you'll probably experience more informal work environments.

Living in Recife

Recife lies in the tropics. The weather is warm and humid throughout the year, but the best time is from September to March. From April to August, it often rains, sometimes heavily.

Recife has a rich history. The city was actually founded by the Dutch, and you'll find both Dutch and Portuguese colonial architecture here. Neighboring Olinda is known for its many well-preserved churches.

Of course, there are the beaches. Some of the better ones include Coroa do Aviao and Boa Viagem. Porto de Galinhas, a couple of hours south of the city, is consistently rated as one of Brazil's top beaches.