Key Cultural Differences between British and Brazilian Culture in the UK job market
In our latest guest blog post, we welcome Arthur Grangeiro de Souza who (at the time of writing) is a student at the Manchester Metropolitan University studying Artificial Intelligence. Prior to his UK studies, Arthur did a Master’s in Business Administration at Universidade de São Paulo in Brazil. Keen to gain UK work experience, Arthur has noticed several differences between the UK and Brazil which he shares with us in this post. Please note elements of this are theory and elements are opinion based on Arthur’s experience.
I’ve been here for about three months—just long enough to realize how little I know about the UK job market! Back home in Brazil, I’ve spent nearly a decade navigating a variety of jobs spanning numerous different industries. These include; Telemarketing Operator, Supermarket Cashier, Research Assistant, and Data Scientist. Now, I’m dipping my toes into the job market here. Let’s just say I’m excited and a little overwhelmed!
Part-time and Voluntary Work
One of the first things that stands out to me is how common part-time jobs are in the UK. The same for picking up Voluntary work for your CV. Here, they’re not just for students or people looking to earn a bit of money on the side—although they often are. Adults in retail, hospitality, and customer service frequently take on part-time roles as either their main job or to supplement their income. In Brazil, it’s quite different. Positions like shop assistant, waiter, or cashier are usually full-time and are often held by adults supporting themselves or their families.
Differences in the Hiring Process
One thing that caught me off guard in the UK is recommendation letters and motivation statements during the hiring process. In Brazil, these aren’t usually a thing—employers tend to focus on your CV, maybe a test or two, and referrals. My first brush with motivation letters was when I applied to study at Manchester Metropolitan University. I also learned about providing referee contacts when I applied for a role with the NHS. Employers here seem more likely to call referees directly. It is efficient but also makes you think carefully about who you list!
A Working Week
In the UK working week, 2 or maybe even 3 days not working is normal per week depending on the employer and industry. Back in Brazil, there’s an ongoing debate about banning the 6×1 work schedule (six days on, one day off, without a fixed rest day). There’s even an online petition organized by the VAT movement. This is known as Vida Além do Trabalho or “Life Beyond Work” which advocates for two consecutive days off per week. It’s a cause I’d love to see supported by people in both countries.
Work Contracts
In the UK, hourly contracts are pretty normal, and some don’t even guarantee a set number of hours. Others might specify a minimum number of hours per week. This flexibility can be a blessing or a curse, depending on the situation. In Brazil, contracts are almost always monthly. Hourly or project-based agreements are usually reserved for freelancers or specific projects although this happens in the UK too it seems a lot more common.
Paid Leave
In Brazil, after a year with the same employer, you’re entitled to 30 days of paid vacation. During that time, you also get a little bonus: your monthly salary plus an extra third. For example, if you earn 900 reais a month, your vacation pay will be 1,200 reais. In the UK, annual leave usually ranges from 20 to 28 days, depending on your contract, but there’s no extra holiday pay. It’s a bit of an adjustment! In the UK you get bonuses more frequently based on month to month targets and additional benefits like outings and holidays.
Salaries
UK job ads often list salaries as annual figures, which still feels odd to me. In Brazil, it’s all about the monthly pay. When I see annual salary expectations on forms here, I can’t help but do some quick mental math’s: monthly salary times 13 (to include Brazil’s legally mandated “13th salary,” an extra payment at the end of the year). This is just how my mind works!
I know I’ve only scratched the surface of the differences between the job markets in Brazil and the UK. I’m sure I’ll discover more as I go. What about you? Have you noticed any interesting similarities or differences between the job markets in your country and elsewhere? Is there a practice you wish your country would adopt? Let’s chat in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
To discuss this more, do get in touch with us by clicking here or by email at info@birkdalecollective.com, we would love to hear from anyone dealing with these kinds of differences and looking for advice on the subject.
