PORTUGAL | Internship: At work | Applying for an internship
The applicant should be active when searching for a workplacement or job. This is the best way to guarantee a successful placement for both the applicant and the company.
Three things one should do are:
- get to know yourself (your competencies, your interests and know what needs to be improved);
- learn about the labour market (fields with the most offers and better employment opportunities);
- learn about the job search techniques available to you.
In Portugal, the most common ways to apply for a workplacement or job are by answering a job posting or by applying directly and spontaneously to a company. The whole job searching process is a personal development process, thus, it should be treated as such and carefully thought through. The first step would be the elaboration of a professional project or plan where you identify your competencies, skills and life goals, define your professional goals according to the opportunities available to you and, define the goals you want to attain and the action plan you intend to follow in order to find the workplacement or job you’re looking for.
The essentials in compiling your application for a workplacement or job offer are:
- a motivation letter, preferably handwritten or a cover letter when answering a job posting;
- a CV, which should include your identification, contacts, your academic education, complementary training, other competencies and skills, professional work experience (if applicable) and other extra-professional activities;
- a professional portfolio (if applicable to your field of education and to the job you’re applying for);
- reference letters and documentary proof (reference letters from former professors or employers, diplomas and certificates).
A motivation/cover letter should be handwritten and signed by the applicant. A motivation/cover letter should include the applicant’s reasons, his/her professional interests in applying for the specific workplacement or job offer and what the applicant can bring to the company if selected. The letter should be addressed to the person responsible for recruitment, as follows: Exmo. Senhor Dr./ Prof. (if the person is male) or Exma. Senhora Dra./ Profª (if the person is female) etc. If you don’t know who to address the letter to, it should be done as follows: Exmo. Senhor / Exma. Senhora.
Your CV should be as summarised as possible and should not be more than 3 pages. It should be written from the most recent to the least recent (even though in Portugal it’s still acceptable to write one’s CV in chronological order) and should contain information relevant to the workplacement or job offer and position the applicant is applying for. A motivation/cover letter should always accompany one’s CV.
The selection process usually ends with an interview (or even more than one in some cases). In order for your interview to be a success, here are some tips you should follow:
- preparation (research the company beforehand to show that you are well informed about it and its field of activity);
- information (select what information you will disclose to better demonstrate your competencies, skills, prior and/or current work experience, your future professional aspirations, the knowledge and experience you expect to gain and to explain what you can bring to the company);
- punctuality (you should never arrive late for an interview, it demonstrates a lack of respect. If a situation arises that cannot be avoided, you should telephone the person responsible at the company to say you will be late or to postpone the interview for another day, if possible);
- attitude (maintain an open and confident attitude, but somewhat formal);
- presentation (your presentation and attire should be neat, but not overly formal and conservative);
- availability and flexibility (express your availability in terms of time and/or regarding the tasks to be carried out);
- interest (show interest in the company by asking questions about the company itself and its activity).
Other job search techniques available to you are online portals where you can register your profile and upload your CV, as well as consult workplacement and job offers; enrol at an employment centre or agency; contact professional associations or services for youths; or, look into workplacement programmes and grants.
Useful links:
NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT AGENCY
JOB SEARCH