How to say “I’m interested in the position” in Portuguese

Introduction

Learning how to express interest in a job or position in Brazilian Portuguese is essential for anyone applying for work, networking, or replying to a recruiter. This article teaches beginner-friendly phrases, vocabulary, simple sentences, and short dialogues so you can confidently say you are interested in a position.

Key phrase: How to say I’m interested in the position

The most direct and common way to say I’m interested in the position is Estou interessado na vaga for a male speaker and Estou interessada na vaga for a female speaker. Use this line in emails, messages, interviews, or casual conversations when you want to express interest clearly.

Explanation of the main phrase

Estou comes from the verb estar, which describes current state or condition. Interessado/Interessada is the past participle used as an adjective and must agree with the speaker’s gender. Na vaga combines the preposition em and the feminine noun vaga, meaning job opening, vacancy, or position.

Useful variations and related phrases

Depending on formality and context, you can use several variations:

Tenho interesse na vaga — a neutral and slightly more formal way to say I have interest in the position.

Tenho interesse nesta vaga — I am interested in this position; use when referring to a specific listing or conversation.

Gostaria de me candidatar à vaga — I would like to apply for the position; polite and direct for emails or messages.

Tenho interesse na oportunidade — I am interested in the opportunity; opportunity (oportunidade) sounds a bit broader than vaga.

Tenho interesse na função — I am interested in the role; função refers to the job function or role rather than the opening itself.

Gender and form agreement

Portuguese adjectives and past participles must agree with gender. Use interessado for male speakers and interessada for female speakers. For plural, use interessados/interessadas when speaking on behalf of a group or multiple people.

Common vocabulary related to job interest

vaga — job opening, vacancy

oportunidade — opportunity

cargo — position, job title

função — role, duty

candidato / candidata — candidate

currículo — résumé, CV

entrevista — interview

recrutador / recrutadora — recruiter

salário — salary

benefícios — benefits

Short example sentences for beginners

Estou interessado na vaga de assistente administrativo.

Estou interessada na vaga de recepção.

Tenho interesse nesta vaga de atendimento ao cliente.

Gostaria de me candidatar à vaga de analista de marketing.

Posso enviar meu currículo? — Can I send my résumé?

Quando é a entrevista? — When is the interview?

Beginner-friendly email and message templates

Emails and messages often require polite, clear language. Below are simple templates you can adapt for job applications or replies to recruiters.

Template 1 — Short reply to a recruiter

Olá,
Estou interessado na vaga de assistente comercial. Posso enviar meu currículo? Obrigado.

Template 2 — Slightly more formal application

Prezada equipe de recrutamento,
Tenho interesse na vaga de desenvolvedor júnior anunciada no site. Anexo meu currículo e aguardo informações sobre a entrevista.

Template 3 — Expressing interest and asking a question

Boa tarde,
Estou interessada na vaga de vendas. Qual o horário da entrevista e quais documentos devo levar?

Notes on tone and politeness

Use Olá or Boa tarde as a greeting. Starting with Estou interessado(a) or Tenho interesse is direct and polite. For more formality, use Prezado/Prezada or Prezada equipe de recrutamento. End with Obrigado (male) or Obrigada (female) to thank the reader.

Short dialogues: Practical situations

Below are short, realistic dialogues for common situations where you would say you are interested in a position.

Dialogue 1 — At a job fair

Recrutador: Você tem interesse nesta vaga de caixa?
Você: Tenho interesse na vaga. Posso deixar meu currículo?

Dialogue 2 — Replying to a message from LinkedIn

Recrutadora: Temos uma vaga de assistente de marketing. Você se interessa?
Você: Sim, estou interessada na vaga. Posso marcar uma conversa?

Dialogue 3 — Phone call with HR

RH: Bom dia. Vimos seu currículo e queremos saber se você tem interesse na posição.
Você: Bom dia. Sim, tenho interesse na posição e gostaria de saber sobre o processo seletivo.

Contextual examples: Everyday scenarios

In a store or cafe where job listings are posted:

Você: Vi a placa com vaga para atendente. Tenho interesse na vaga. Onde me cadastro?

When asked about your availability during an interview call:

Interviewer: Você está disponível para trabalhar aos sábados?
Você: Sim, tenho interesse na vaga e posso trabalhar aos finais de semana.

Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistake 1 — Forgetting gender agreement

Wrong: Estou interessado na vaga said by a woman. Correct: Estou interessada na vaga.

Mistake 2 — Using estar vs ser incorrectly

Beginner error: Using sou interessado. Use Estou interessado(a) or Tenho interesse because interest is a current state or feeling, not a permanent trait.

Mistake 3 — Mixing vocabulary for position

Vaga, cargo, função and posição are related but different. Use vaga for an opening, cargo for job title, função for role responsibilities, and posição if you want a direct translation of position in some contexts.

Quick tips for beginners

Tip 1 — Keep it short and clear: use Estou interessado(a) or Tenho interesse in messages.

Tip 2 — Match gender: use interessado for men, interessada for women.

Tip 3 — Add a polite question to continue the conversation: Posso enviar meu currículo? or Qual é o próximo passo?

Tip 4 — Learn a few related nouns: currículo, entrevista, salário, benefícios to ask useful follow-up questions.

Sample follow-up questions after expressing interest

Posso marcar uma entrevista? — Can I schedule an interview?

Quando começa o processo seletivo? — When does the selection process start?

Quais são os requisitos da vaga? — What are the requirements for the position?

Quais documentos devo levar? — Which documents should I bring?

Pronunciation pointers for beginners

Estou — eh-STOH; the t is soft, and the o sounds like in go.

Interessado / Interessada — een-teh-reh-SAH-doo / een-teh-reh-SAH-dah; stress on the SA syllable.

Vaga — VAH-ga; first syllable stressed.

Currículo — koo-RREE-koo-loo; double r pronounced like an h in many Brazilian accents, but beginners can approximate with a trilled or tapped r.

Realistic scenario: Applying by email

Subject line suggestion: Interesse na vaga de assistente administrativo

Email body example:

Olá,

Estou interessado na vaga de assistente administrativo anunciada no site da empresa. Anexo meu currículo e uma carta de apresentação. Posso agendar uma entrevista?

Obrigado,

Seu nome

Adapting phrases for phone or in-person

Phone: Start with Bom dia/Boa tarde, then say Estou interessado(a) na vaga. Ask about next steps or available times.

In person: Greet, hand over your CV, and say Tenho interesse nesta vaga. Smile and offer a brief summary of your availability or skills.

Conclusion

Expressing I’m interested in the position in Brazilian Portuguese is simple and useful: start with Estou interessado na vaga or Estou interessada na vaga, or use Tenho interesse for a neutral tone. Learn related vocabulary, practice short email templates and dialogues, mind gender agreement, and use polite follow-up questions to keep the conversation moving. These beginner-friendly phrases will help you apply, reply to recruiters, and communicate interest clearly in everyday job situations.