How to Get a Job in 2026: Step by Step

To get a job, the usual path is: gather your documents, put together a focused résumé, register for free with the Sistema Nacional de Emprego (Sine, National Employment System) through the Portal Emprega Brasil or the Carteira de Trabalho Digital (Digital Work Card) app, apply with focus, and prepare for the interview. No step requires payment, and the law prohibits discrimination in access to employment.

Step 1: Organize your documents and your gov.br account

Before looking for openings, have ready what is usually requested during selection and hiring.

• ID document, CPF (taxpayer ID), and proof of address.
• Carteira de Trabalho (work card), preferably the digital one, which uses the same gov.br account.
• Education and course details, with dates and names of the institutions.
• A gov.br account at the bronze, silver, or gold level, which is required to use the Sine job service.

If you need to check or correct your employment records, see the guide on the Carteira de Trabalho Digital (Digital Work Card).

Step 2: Build a clear résumé

Your résumé is your first introduction. It should fit on one page, in order from most recent to oldest, with up-to-date contact details, a professional objective, and concrete results. The step-by-step is in Résumé: how to write one, what to include, and what to avoid. If you have never worked, you can follow Résumé with no experience.

Step 3: Register with Sine and Emprega Brasil

Sine is the Sistema Nacional de Emprego (National Employment System), run by the Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego (Ministry of Labor and Employment). Registration is free and can be done in person at a Sine office or through the Portal Emprega Brasil, taking an average of about 15 minutes, according to the service on gov.br.

1. Log in to the Portal Emprega Brasil or the Carteira de Trabalho Digital app with your gov.br account.
2. Enter your personal details, education, experience, and the occupation you are looking for.
3. Browse the openings that match your profile in your region.
4. Apply and follow the selection processes.

The service itself recommends keeping your data and professional preferences up to date, because matching with openings depends on them. Listing other cities and other areas of interest can increase your chances of taking part in selection processes. More details in SINE and free job listings.

Step 4: Use several channels at the same time

Besides Sine, look for openings on job sites, on LinkedIn, on company career pages, and through referrals from people you know. Send applications tailored to the position, highlighting on your résumé what the posting asks for. Keep a record of where and when you applied so you can follow up on replies.

Step 5: Prepare for the selection process

Research the company, reread the job description, and practice answers to the most common questions. See Job interview: common questions and how to answer them.

Your rights during selection

Lei 9.029/1995 (Law 9,029/1995), art. 1, prohibits discriminatory practices that limit access to an employment relationship on grounds of sex, origin, race, color, marital status, disability, age, among others. Art. 2 treats as a crime requiring tests, certificates, or other documents about pregnancy or sterilization. If you suffer discrimination, keep messages and job postings and see how to report it to the Ministry of Labor or the MPT.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay to register for Sine job openings?

No. Registration and browsing of openings on Sine are free for workers. Be wary of anyone who charges a fee to guarantee a job.

Can I look for a job on my phone?

Yes. The Carteira de Trabalho Digital app lets you update your data and browse Sine openings, using your gov.br account.

How long does it take to land a job?

It depends on the field, the region, and your profile. There is no guaranteed timeframe; keeping your registration up to date and applying frequently helps.

Read also

• SINE and free job listings: how to register and look for work
• Carteira de Trabalho Digital (Digital Work Card): how to check and correct it
• CLT worker rights: complete guide 2026