Being a skilled foreigner in Brazil is not really an advantage - sometimes even the contrary. Foreigners job applications in Brazil usually land at the bottom of the CV pile. This is either due to the restrictions the companies have to follow or the fact that native workers are very qualified and they also know the language and the country.
The best paid jobs are in the public sector but only Brazilian passport holders are allowed to apply for these.
If, however, you are coming to Brazil to do some casual work and enjoy the beautiful country for the rest of the day, you will probably learn that this kind of work is not as easy to get compared to Europe or the USA. This is partly due to the high unemployment rate but also to the extremely low payment – in many cases so low that you probably would not accept this kind of work.
Teaching English
The most common job for native English speakers is to teach English - either in a school or giving private lessons. You should definitely be able to find something in this sector. However, be aware that it is not a very easy job to do. If you want to find a job before coming to Brazil check the TEFL site for further information.
The payment for English classes can be very low and you will hardly make a living. This especially applies to language schools, so you should better head for private lessons. You could start teaching in a school and find clients for private lessons, or you can look in local newspapers or post announcements in universities and schools.
However, private lessons also have some disadvantages. You have to adapt to the free time of your students, so be prepared to have classes very early in the morning or very late in the evening and on weekends .
Although you are not allowed to work in Brazil without a proper work visa, language schools usually do not ask for one. In fact, some language schools prefer foreigners not to have a visa, as this means they can pay you in cash and avoid taxes. There will be a lot of jobs like this available, but be aware that working without a work visa is illegal and there are many risks involved.