Portuguese CV format: how to write a CV for Portugal

EURES, the EU's job mobility network, describes the Portuguese CV as generally reverse chronological and one or two pages long. Functional CVs for broad experience and one-page infographic CVs for young people are increasingly used. Because the aim is to catch the recruiter's attention, put your greatest achievements in the top half of the first page.

It lists six blocks: personal information and contact details; work experience; education, meaning your highest level of schooling; vocational training as a separate category, with courses, traineeships and professional cards; other skills such as languages, IT and a driving licence where the job requires one; and optional interests or volunteering. Video CVs of two to three minutes are also increasingly used in some recruitment processes.

Since employers compare your CV with a specific profile, rewrite the top half for each posting with the job-specific resume optimizer.^[1]

Article 17 of Portugal's Labour Code (Código do Trabalho) states that an employer may not require a job applicant to provide information about their private life, unless it is strictly necessary to assess their suitability for the job and the reasons are given in writing, or about their health or pregnancy, unless the nature of the work justifies it, again with written reasons. Articles 24 and 25 give applicants equal access to employment and ban direct or indirect discrimination on grounds including age, sex, marital status, family situation, nationality, ethnic origin, language, religion and political beliefs. Article 24 explicitly applies to decisions made by algorithms or other artificial intelligence systems as well.

EURES says the inclusion of a photograph is often appreciated, but it remains your choice. Keep personal details to what EURES lists: town and country, phone, email and online profiles. Leave out marital status, date of birth and tax or ID numbers. If you add a photo, make it recent and professional; the AI headshot generator creates one from your own selfies.^[1][2]

Application letters in Portugal are short and simple, never more than one A4 page, and highlight with keywords how your experience matches the profile. EURES notes that they are increasingly replaced by the text of the email that carries your CV, and that application forms, often online, are widely used. Copies of qualification certificates are only required later, at recruitment.

The interview is the main selection method and is increasingly held by video call. Bring diplomas, work certificates and recommendations, but present them only when asked. The cover letter builder drafts a short letter or email text in your CV's design, and interview prep prepares likely questions from the posting.^[1]

IEFP, the public employment service for mainland Portugal, runs the iefponline portal, where you can register one or more versions of your CV and browse vacancies. The Azores and Madeira have their own employment services. EURES lists many private boards, among them Net-Empregos, Indeed, Landing.jobs and ITJobs.^[1][3]