💡 You're often asked to send your CV (currículo) by email even before the interview - have it ready in Portuguese or English.
💡 At the interview, say honestly that you're still learning Portuguese - employers often value that more than perfect language.
💡 To start a job you usually need a document that gives you the right to work, a NIF, a NISS and an IBAN.
💡 On official permanent contracts there are usually 14 salary payments a year: separate "holiday" and "Christmas" payments (subsídio de férias / de Natal); check whether the amount is bruto (gross) or líquido (net).
💡 Período experimental - the probation period; its length is stated in the contract.
💡 Colleagues often greet each other with a handshake (men) or a kiss on the cheek (women and people who know each other) - follow what the others do.
💡 Don't be shy about writing instructions down on your phone and asking again - in the first week that's expected.
💡 Balneário - changing room, cacifo - locker, copa - break room with coffee.
💡 It's better to ask again than to get it wrong: Pode mostrar-me? - "Can you show me?" - always works.
💡 The coffee break (pausa para o café) is the main place colleagues get to know each other; join in even if you don't say much.
💡 The lunch break in Portugal is an important ritual; having lunch with colleagues is a good way to fit into the team.
💡 The polite Desculpe incomodar - "sorry to bother you" - is a good way to start any request.
💡 Swapping shifts usually has to be agreed with your manager - agreeing with a colleague isn't enough.
💡 Answer as much as you feel comfortable with: Prefiro não falar disso - "I'd rather not talk about it" - is a perfectly fine answer too.
💡 Report your illness as early as possible, before the shift starts; you hand in the certificate or sick note afterwards.
💡 The electronic sick note goes to Social Security, and the employer is usually given the document number or a printout.
💡 Holidays (férias) are usually agreed in advance in the schedule; for a single day off, ask a few days ahead.
💡 Keep your payslips (recibos de vencimento): they're asked for when renting a home, taking out a loan and for official paperwork.
💡 Write your hours and shifts down on your phone - it makes it easy to prove it if there's a mistake in your pay.
💡 Income tax (IRS) and a Social Security contribution are deducted from your pay; that's why the líquido (take-home) amount is less than the bruto (gross).