Jobs market in Brazil

Hey, Folks!

I came to Brazil in 2001, with a few thousand dollars and a couple of contacts (through my ex, which was definately a double-edged sword).

I was technically illegal for 10 years (although it was much more of a gray area, since I was divorced from the said Brazilian and we had a daughter, but it was acrimonious and she did her best to make my life here hell)

So, i started teaching at the English language mills, in Brasilia, taking jobs that paid $5/hour. After about 3 years you learn the ropes. If you have a university degree, you can get a job at an upscale bi-national school, like Cultura or Thomas Jefferson (TJ is in Brasilia only) but don't expect to live like you did in North America or Western Europe.

You need to go private, and develop an "A-list" clientel- they pay for competent, personable native-speakers. My prices range from 50- 110 reais/hour, although the current recession has really taken its toll, both in volume of clients and average price per hour. Translation work is also a good revenue generator- but you need to understand Portuguese. My best year in Brasilia was about $R 80K, in 2011. In the past, I've received credits for luxury hotels stays, fine-dining, and have twice gotten late-model economy cars (once as a trade for translating screenplays, and once a s a gift from a generous client from a very wealthy family) not to mention a lot of cast off electronics, like desktop and lap tops, cell phones. Those A-list clients are worth more than just money. Once you get an Ambassador, or a politician or two....you're on your way.

If you're young, single, and good-looking (like anywhere) opportunities abound. the ex-pats that do best here work as freelancers, especially in tech- but, again Portuguese is the key. I have a very good friend who is a fluent- Portuguese speaker, Brazilophile working as a Telecom engineer. He was fond of bankrolling some of our entertainment activities, and when I told him that his tastes were too rich for my budget, he responded, "Money? I can make it rain money."

Yup, remember, if you're earning dollars as a freelancer for  a Muiltinational paying in dollars or Euro's, Brazil seems like heaven- because you can buy LITERALLY anything, and almost anyone.

If you want to actually live her, on the economy, versus just being subsidized by working here to shore-up your existing savings and other assets; it's best to adopt a pioneer-attitude, live like a Brazilian and be as creative as hell. Oh, and try NOT to be supporting  5 hungry mouths, besides your own.