Need A Job? Consider Moving to Brazil.

I'm interested too. Brazil is home to some of my favourite booties.

How do you go about getting a job in Brazil? Are these just internal transfers, or are they actually hiring expats directly?

I guess safety could be an issue. I've heard of hotel room break-ins at nice hotels in Rio. Otherwise, I'm down to move there.

Kinda of irrational, but all of the kidnappings freak me out.

I'd love to hear from someone who knows about this. I would love to move to Brazil, if the opportunity presents itself.

Hi there! Do you guys know any recruiting site or similar to start moving on?

The obvious question is what someone can get paid in Brazil. I'm not convinced there are even close to the opportunities working in Brazil than in the US.

I have a close friend who moved to Brazil to work in technology VC. According to his boss, tech in Brazil is currently what it was like in the late 90's in the US.

In case you are wondering what the salaries are like check this Robert Half Report on salaries. It is in Portuguese though:

http://www.roberthalf.com.br/EMEA/Brazil/Assets/salary-guide/Robert-Hal…

I interviewed for a position in Brazil as an expat but unfortunately I did not receive an offer. It is really hard to find junior level positions that will directly transfer you to Brazil. Let me know if you know of any.

E sim, falo portugues pessoal.

I spoke with a girl whos family is from and Brazil and she has visited many times. She said people are very poor there. Kids will come up to you and ask you for money and if you are wearing any designer brands, they will try and take them from you. Crime is a big issue there. Lots of violence, gun violence in particular. If Brazil is to ever come close to becoming a super power they will need to crack down on crime in a serious manner.

John Rolfe...welcome to Latin America.

Crime and drugs are linked to politics in Brazil, so I wouldn't necessarily think that cracking down on crime will come from the government. The Dilma government has worked on it by pacifying some of the favelas in Rio but I still wouldn't say that they are exactly safe.

How important is fluency in Portugese to working in Brazil?

I am a native and maybe I can help you guys, The positions for juniors are not so great, I cant tell about seniors, Search about BTG Pactual, the bigger player in the industry right now, Recruiting for who doesn't speak portuguese is really tough, engineers majors are more valued than business majors, because the business schools (most of them, not all) here are a joke and you enter in the university taking a exam for the major and not to the university, The target schools are USP, Unicamp, FGV (São Paulo) and other universities that start with UF (Universidade Federal), they are tuition-free, Best regards,

I want to end up in Brazil eventually but like it has been said, as a junior it is extremely difficult.

I would love to have a buy side role in rio 10 years from now, when I have my CFA, MBA and 10 years of work experience.

Very timely - Just received an offer from my firm for a 2 year associate assignment in Brazil. Anyone who is currently or headed to Brazil, I'd love to chat via PM.

I have pretty good first hand knowledge regarding Brazil. Here are my two cents:

1) First off, if you want to work in finance there, you will likely end up in Sao Paulo. SP is the NY of Brazil. There are a few things here and there in Rio (a few PE funds have offices, and so do lots of local asset management firms as well as some banks like Pactual), but the best opportunities in finance are in SP hands down (and no, SP does not have beaches - there are a few good ones however 2/3 hours away).

2) Pay in Brazil, at least since 2005, has been incredible. Equal to or better than NYC market, especially in the i-banking / S&T world. The only problem is that the market "range" is very wide, so you need to aim at working at either a global institution / Bulge Bracket bank or a leading local player (Pactual, Itau, or buyside firms like Gavea, etc., tho I hear Gavea doesn't pay super wages). There is however one catch, which brings me on to the next point:

3) You must speak portuguese fluently. In recent years, due to the lack of qualified ppl, firms have been making exceptions here and there and have brought on foreigners (it helps to speak spanish if you don't speak portuguese, for instance). This is best accomplished either through going to target schools in the US (either undergrad or MBA), or somehow getting a transfer from your current bank / fund to work in the local offices there (know plenty of ppl that have ended up in SP that way, and just as a warning, most end up wanting to go back to the states).

Regarding points 2) and 3), given the cooling down of the Brazilian economy, it will likely get harder to break in there if you don't speak great portuguese. In fact, that may soon not be enough - Brazil has traditionally been a very isolated country with its own culture (do not make the mistake of thinking Brazilians are the same as Mexicans, Colombians, etc.), and local experience / networks are key. It may not be as difficult as learning Chinese, but it is still tough. Also, with regards to the actual money, that may also cool down as demand eventually matches supply within the finance realm (although, on a positive note, I believe Brazil currently has a record low unemployment rate, though I think that will change soon).

As a final takeaway regarding the Brazilian economy, I do not believe it is not overheated, that was a year ago. I think it is now cooling down, GDP growth is falling, inflation is in check and there will potentially be issues with credit and a continued devaluation of the currency. This last point may make it better for those earning a USD-denominated salary, but overall worse as the "market" wage will be lower in USD.

onemanwolfpack - PM if you have any questions.

Question - how is an MS in Finance viewed in Brazil ? How's the one at Insper ? http://www.insper.edu.br/pos-graduacao/financas

I have been looking to do one in order to get my foot in the door with Brazilian employers. I realize that I am not Brazilian but my Portuguese is pretty good.

Unless you are transferred from your bank to a position in Brazil, you will have a hard time competing against locals for jobs. In Brazil they look up to people who have experience/education in the US, but if you're trying to get a job without fluently speaking the language then your chances are slim. Mastering english is highly valued, but not enough on its own. The lack of qualified professionals is not very applicable to banking or finance jobs. When people talk about this in Brazil they are referring to positions in other fields. The country lacks a good educational system (among other things), so the local population is highly disadvantaged against foreigners who have degrees in engineering, or anything of the kind.

As for security issues, I've never had any problems in São Paulo. As a local, I have an idea of how to be 'street smart' and am able to avoid dangerous situations and I've only lived here for 3 years (lived abroad most of my life). It isn't the safest place in the world, and crimes do take place, but it isn't something that is guaranteed will happen to you. I've been through potentially deadly situations in Boston (which I thought was safe) that have never happened to anyone I know in Brazil. You just can't come here and go anywhere you want flashing around fancy objects, as the majority of the population is very poor and never even dreams of making the money you could make in banking.

As someone who has never been to Latin/South America - how unsafe is it if one looks Northern European (blonde/blue eyes)? Pardon the ignorance.

PetEng there are plenty of "Northern European" looking people in South Brazil. Maybe they'll think you are a gaucho (from the south) depending on how you look and dress. You will stand out less in Sao Paulo than Rio. As soon as you open your mouth is a different story.

I was just in Brazil, incredible place... Lot of potential in the future (just look at the revenue the olympics and world cup will generate)

I subscribe to the belief of Confucius......find a job you enjoy, and never work a day in your life.

So what is fun, but pays the bills as well. Try hospitality sales and catering....You can work in glamorous settings. If you want to work at a beach, or in the mountains, hotels are everywhere. Best of all, they pay well. Every hotel hires 1-10 or more sales and catering people so there are plenty of jobs.

I started entry level in hotel sales or catering at 45 thousand plus bonus (made 56K). I worked for Sofitel, Hilton, and now Marriott.

Most people advance to 75-125 thousand or more within 4-6 years. Try a fast online certificate program at APRINDA DOT COMM or ecornell

I subscribe to the belief of Confucius......find a job you enjoy, and never work a day in your life.

So what is fun, but pays the bills as well. Try hospitality sales and catering....You can work in glamorous settings. If you want to work at a beach, or in the mountains, hotels are everywhere. Best of all, they pay well. Every hotel hires 1-10 or more sales and catering people so there are plenty of jobs.

I started entry level in hotel sales or catering at 45 thousand plus bonus (made 56K). I worked for Sofitel, Hilton, and now Marriott.

Most people advance to 75-125 thousand or more within 4-6 years. Try a fast online certificate program at APRINDA DOT COMM or ecornell

Basically you should just move to Brazil. As soon as you step foot in the country there is no way you will leave. Forget about all the preparations and just do it, you won't make a mistake. It's a beautiful country!

All i want is a hedge fund job in Rio and a house in and a boat in Angra!!!! Is that too much to ask????

Want to learn portuguese in Rio de Janeiro? visist our school, carioca language

Brazil is a great country but to find good oportunities lear portuguese is essencial, for those that are going to Rio de Janeiro, check out the school carioca languages, a great place to learn the language.

Lads.. I'm Brazilian, I had worked as investment analyst in a pension fund in Brazil, if some of you need some advices just let me know. PetEng Have u ever been in Brazil??? or in ROCINHA??? so do not disturb with this kind of pictures.... I can show u lots of pic here in EU and in USA of shit place... What I can say is, If u have a senior job in an IB, HF or some assets... u will earn the same as in USA...sometimes more..... to get a job need a fluently Portuguese ... there network is almost 90%.... but is not impossible to get a job there..... before I came to Ireland I get a offer to work as a junior Invest Anal in a huge steal company.... so... its hard...but not impossible.... I can answer any question.... just let me know....

i really want to go in brazil

i really want to go in brazil,but i dont know how

i am a woman,i worked in japan,in a poultry farm

You must look past the makeup (maquiagem) and beauties. I've been in the market here since 2005. These days it is very difficult to secure a top position in finance (good IB or PE) that will pay well in Brazil unless you're a U.S.-educated Brazilian. Firms began asking for "local fluency" and connections when they saw the increase in foreign labor demand which is interpreted as you must be Brazilian. Exceptions are made for cheap junior employees and anyone that can get a U.S. transfer. However those positions are normally only for 2 years. As large as Brazil is it still is closer to a "closed economy" than an open one and this applies to the labor markets as well. It is written into the labor laws here that firms can't have more than 25% of salaries or positions going to non-Brazilians. Firms aspire to headcount and not this 25% number. The fact this is written into the social code states volumes. For instance, if you talk to the top headhunters here they will say, "so and so firm just hired one American and they also have a German on a team of 8 as did XYZ & ABC firm so scratch them off... local banks are only interested in Brazilians so....". You must get a U.S. transfer... the finance headhunters here aren't as good as their NYC counterparts and this is a "know who" type of market. Your resume and references from strangers are assumed to be a pack of lies. Here, people must already know your reference personally.

At this time in Brazil's history, gringoes (particularly Americans) aren't very welcome unless for short periods of time and in fields such as engineering, construction, and IT where the real help is needed. If you're young and have a low cost basis (no family, few student loans, etc) then it's worth the risk and investment otherwise cross it off your list. After having lived here for some time, my observations are that the Gringoes always get laid off first and the Gringo turnover is 1-2 years... sometimes within months. The bonus figures mentioned during the hiring process never materialize and you're lucky to receive a 3 month bonus. If you're lucky to get an offer, get it in writing. I've seen people sell everything to move here and then afterwards the offer disappears or their "work visa doesn't come through" in the first 3 months and they have to move back until everything works out.

I come from Wall Street and lived in both SP and Rio as well. The latter are much more expensive than NYC if you want to maintain your standard of living. If you have a family, it gets much more expensive with nanny and private school care which are mandatory for the level of positions desirable in this forum. Cars are 3-4x more expensive here than the U.S. Prepare to trade your BMW for a bulletproof KIA/Hyundai (don't laugh, that is considered "rich" in these parts). Your colleagues frown heavily upon public transportation so you will find yourself not taking it. I know people that were mugged and virtual crime (credit card cloning) is unavoidable and it is not uncommon to be taken for tens of thousands of dollars over time from just simple ATM, online, or bar transactions.

This place is not for the faint of heart or amateurs. Yes, there is real opportunity for those who dare to put in the time before coming to master the language. For example, the startup scene in Brazil is growing because internet purchasing & penetration is only now coming into its own and Brazilians aren't as entrepreneurial as Americans. So lots of funding of copycat startups (Diapers.com or Gazelle.com knockoffs) right now.

Apologies for the long post but I want my comrades to be well-informed before making such an important life decision.

was in Brazil recently. No doubt there's a lot of opportunity, but incredibly expensive (about US$300K for a fully loaded range rover). Also very dangerous. A colleague's admin was mugged and murdered just few weeks ago, right outside her home.

Abedneg06, what has been your experience in Brazil with U.S. educated Latin Americans (non-Brazilian) fluent in Portuguese ? You mention gringos aren't very welcomed, so I want to clarify. In Brazil, all foreigners are considered gringoes, so I want to know if it is better or worse for other Latin Americans.

If the fluency is real there are no issues. The issue is that the fluency is never real if you haven't lived here for awhile.

Hard to generalize and the sample size is limited b/c there are relatively few in finance. It depends on what specific Spanish-speaking country as well, but yes they face some issues. At the end of the day if you have very tough skin and strong connections at the home office then you can manage. Brazilians love to joke around at your expense, and Corporate Brazil is a very unprofessional place (no EEOC, rampant sexual harassment, putas invited into the office if the team hits its sales numbers, hidden termas in office buildings, etc).

In 2005, hiring companies were requesting Spanish fluency and some knowledge of Portuguese for gringoes. The joke is that Portuguese is the #6 language in the world so not many people from 1st world sophisticated financial markets speak it & even the majority of Brazilians don't speak proper Portuguese. Over time as labor demand for these high paying jobs swelled (only 1mm Brazilians earn over r$100k/us$50k a year = 5% of the pop.), the language requirement evolved into local fluency and connections (snr positions). Nearly all of the Spanish speakers I met were U.S. banking transfers & they never claimed Portuguese fluency, just the ability to learn it quickly.

Those that didn't have local fluency in Portuguese faced problems because they would speak some Portunhol/Sportuguese every now & again. People either pretend not to understand Spanish or just don't have the patience.

Stories of people getting ridiculed at work because of Spanish to Portuguese mixups aren't uncommon. A "language barrier" will come up in your review. Then there's the nationalism thing - Argentina & Brazil are huge rivals so it can be tough for Argentinians. Many consider Paraguay as a denizen of thieves. If you're a big soccer fan of your country, then you must switch allegiances & root for a local team. Dominicans and Spaniards appear to manage better than otheres. Mexicans and anyone from the neighboring countries don't have it so well b/c Brazil is huge on social "status" as a classist society. In their minds, Brazil is top dog.

Pretty much the same as Paraguayans. I don't know about Peruvians. This emanates from the all too common car jackings in Brazil. A majority of the cars are driven to and resold in Paraguay and Bolivia amongst others. Car prices there can be 50% cheaper (closer to normal) than Brazil. I know a few people that suffered this. The problem is that these countries passed legislation that made it so that these stolen cars could be legally resold. Couple that w/ how expensive cars are here and you get outrage. So many took offense and of course start name calling & stereotyping.

(May need assistance of Google Translator) 1) (http://veja.abril.com.br/blog/ricardo-setti/politica-cia/parlamentares-…).

2) http://www.gazetadopovo.com.br/vidaecidadania/conteudo.phtml?id=716343&…