PORTUGUESE BUSINESS

With industries struggling here in the United States, business professionals and entrepreneurs are setting their sights on opportunities that have not been explored overseas, especially to those in South America and Europe, in particular, countries such as Brazil and Portugal respectively. Brazil is relatively close which has limitless potentials due to its natural resources. Brazil is positioned to see incremental increase in businesses and industrial development. This is supported by recent reports by the IMF which reports that it is the forerunner in infrastructural and technological development among all South American countries.

However, while the opportunities that these countries may offer will attract the consummate business professional or entrepreneurs, it is strongly advised to learn about the business cultures as they differ greatly from what we are accustomed to.

Portuguese Business Culture

The business or workplace environment is quite different in Portuguese companies. Firstly, they have many different organizational structures. Portuguese companies tend to be more hierarchical in structure, as until recently the government owned up 50% of the country’s assets and larger companies are family owned. As such, even though some companies may not have this formal structure now, it is so ingrained that they still abide by it. In addition, never expect a subordinate to offer dissenting ideas in a meeting, as they tend to avoid direct confrontation in a bid to please superiors. As such, it is advised to ensure that all business arrangements be placed in writing.

Secondly, they are accustomed to a more laidback form of work environment where they refer to each other on a first name basis. This is not the norm in the Portuguese business world, that is, always address them by their last names with the correct title preceding it – Mr or Mrs. Professional titles are significant in terms of garnering respect so be sure to use these on business cards, for example: Dr. or PhD.

More importantly, familiarize yourself with the culture and language of the country. This is a must, as Portugal has a relationship oriented business culture. Therefore, you will need to be able to speak on topics such as their food, regions, football and current business trends relevant to them. They do not come with an agenda with items listed to discuss, as they prefer when conversations take a natural course so patience and tact will need to be exercised. In order, to do this effectively and leave a positive impression you will undoubtedly need to learn the language or show an interest in learning by knowing the basics initially.

Finding a job in Portugal

While the prospect of embarking on a new career in unchartered territory may be exciting, one has to be very careful. Research is necessary to know what Portuguese professions are in demand and how competitive is to acquire a job in Portugal. You do not want to make a preemptive move and be stock in a country without any good prospects. An excellent resource to use as a job search process is that of , as they provide information tailored to the culture and requirements of the country.

Interviewing for a job in Portugal

Because of the strong cultural variation, preparation for a job interview in Portugal may take a little more effort on your part. Knowing what type of to expect and how to play to your strengths such as: educational background and additional courses are keys. How to navigate through salary negotiations is also paramount. To effectively prepare for the job interview, it is recommended that you visit Job Interview Questions Website, to increase your chances of answering of leaving an indelible impression on your interviewer.

PORTUGUESE BUSINESS