Practice a Job Interview in Portuguese
A Portuguese job interview is the highest-pressure conversation most learners ever have: formal register, complex grammar, professional vocabulary, and the unspoken cultural rules of the country you're interviewing in. This scenario walks through the full interview arc — greeting and small talk, the 'tell me about yourself' answer, behavioural questions, salary discussion, and asking smart questions back. You'll practise the formal Portuguese register, the verbs for past achievements ('I led, I delivered, I improved'), and the body of professional vocabulary that turns hesitant answers into confident ones.
Sample Portuguese conversation
Bom dia! Pode sentar, por favor. Obrigado por vir hoje. Pode começar nos contando um pouco sobre você?
Good morning! Please take a seat. Thank you for coming in today. Can you start by telling me about yourself?Claro! Estudei marketing e trabalho na área há três anos.
Of course! I studied marketing and I've been working in the field for three years.Três anos de experiência, ótimo. Qual era sua principal responsabilidade no último cargo?
Three years of experience, that's great. What was your main responsibility in your last role?Eu gerenciava campanhas de mídia social e analisava os resultados.
I managed social media campaigns and analyzed the results.Quais você diria que são seus maiores pontos fortes?
What would you say are your greatest strengths?Sou bom comunicador. Trabalho bem com diferentes tipos de pessoas.
I'm a strong communicator. I work well with different types of people.
What you'll learn
- Greet interviewers with the right formal register
- Deliver a 60-second 'tell me about yourself' in Portuguese
- Answer behavioural questions with concrete examples
- Discuss salary and benefits without awkwardness
- Ask smart questions about the role and team
Frequently asked questions
What's the most important phrase in a Portuguese job interview?
The professional 'Pleased to meet you' opener and a strong 'Thank you for your time' closer. Both are formal in Portuguese and signal respect.
How do I talk about salary in Portuguese without it being awkward?
There's a soft formula — 'What's the salary range for this role?' — that's professional and direct. The scenario rehearses the negotiation language too.
How formal should my Portuguese be in an interview?
Very formal — use the formal 'you' throughout, full sentences, and avoid contractions. The scenario models this register consistently.
What questions should I ask back in a Portuguese interview?
Ask about team structure, growth opportunities, and what success looks like in 90 days. We include sample questions in Portuguese in the scenario.