Writing a Spanish CV and preparing for a job interview in Spain

Applying for jobs in Spain is not very different from applying anywhere else in Europe, but a few details matter. Spanish employers expect a short, clear CV, a cover letter in Spanish and a fairly formal interview. This guide covers the CV format, the photo question, Europass, cover letters and what to expect on the day.

If you are still working out which sectors are hiring, start with our overview of the Spanish job market.

What a Spanish CV looks like

In Spain a CV is usually called a currículum vitae or just currículum. EURES, the EU’s job mobility portal, gives this advice for Spain:

• Length: keep it clear and concise, ideally no more than two A4 pages.
• Language: use simple sentences and avoid acronyms and abbreviations that a Spanish reader may not know.
• Layout: the common formats are reverse-chronological (most recent job first), chronological, functional (grouped by skills) and the European (Europass) format.
• Tailoring: adapt the CV to each job and reorder sections if it makes your profile stronger for that role.

A typical order is personal and contact details, a short professional profile, work experience, education and training, languages, and IT or other skills. Keep personal details to what the employer actually needs, such as your name, phone, email and town. If you are from outside the EU, say clearly whether you already have the right to work in Spain. Our guide to work visas and permits explains the options.

Photo or no photo?

You will see many Spanish CVs with a photo in the top corner, but it is not a requirement. EURES describes a photo as optional and says it may be useful for some jobs. If you do add one, use a recent, neutral, professional-looking headshot, not a holiday picture or a cropped group photo. If the job advert asks for a CV without a photo, follow the advert.

Using Europass

Europass is the EU’s free tool for CVs and cover letters. You create an online profile with your skills, qualifications and experience, and then generate as many CV versions as you like from it. It is available in 31 languages, so you can produce a Spanish and an English version from the same profile.

• Good for: applications to public bodies, international companies and jobs where employers compare candidates from several countries.
• Language levels: Europass lets you rate your languages on the common European scale (A1 to C2), which Spanish employers recognise.
• Downside: the standard layout is long and plain. For private-sector jobs, many applicants use a shorter, cleaner design and keep Europass for the official applications.

The cover letter (carta de presentación)

Send a cover letter with your CV, both when you answer an advert and when you send a speculative application. EURES recommends writing it in Spanish, keeping it short and using formal language.

• Make it specific: avoid generic letters. Mention the company, the role and two or three reasons you fit.
• Research first: for speculative applications, look at the company website and its “Trabaja con nosotros” or “Empleo” page before you write.
• Formal tone: open with Estimado/a Sr./Sra. [surname], or Estimados señores if you have no name, and close with Atentamente.
• Get it checked: if your Spanish is not yet strong, ask a native speaker to read the letter. Small mistakes stand out in a short text. Our guide to learning Spanish in Spain covers courses and the DELE exams if you want an official certificate.

Qualifications, references and documents

You normally don’t attach copies of your diplomas to an application. Bring them to the interview instead, or send them when the employer asks. It helps to have these ready:

• Copies of your degrees, certificates and course diplomas.
• References or reference letters from previous employers.
• Certified translations of key documents where the employer needs them.
• For regulated professions or public-sector jobs, official recognition of your foreign degree (homologación or equivalencia). The Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades handles this, and its NARIC centre can tell you which procedure applies to you. Start early, because it can take time.

Where to send your CV

• Public employment services: you can register with your regional service (in Andalucía, the Servicio Andaluz de Empleo) if you are over 16 and have a valid ID or passport and an address. SEPE’s website also has a job portal called Empléate.
• Company websites: many companies post vacancies under “Recursos Humanos”, “Empleo” or “Trabaja con nosotros”.
• Agencies: private recruitment firms and temporary employment agencies (ETT) also place workers.
• Contacts: EURES notes that many jobs in Spain are filled through contacts and referrals, so tell people you are looking.

The job interview

Selection in Spain is usually based on interviews. The interview may be with one person or a panel, and some employers add psychometric or job-related tests. Larger companies sometimes run group exercises or assessment centres that last one or two days and test teamwork, leadership and communication.

• Prepare: research the company and think about what you could contribute. Have a short answer ready for “háblame de ti” (tell me about yourself).
• Be on time: social life in Spain can be relaxed about time, but job interviews are not.
• Greeting: a handshake is the safe choice in a professional setting. Use usted until the interviewer switches to tú.
• Dress: dress one step smarter than the people who already work there.
• Language: expect at least part of the interview in Spanish, even for English-speaking roles, and possibly a quick test of any other language on your CV.
• Ask about the contract: near the end, it is normal to ask about the type of contract, the working hours and the salary range if they were not in the advert.

FAQ: Spanish CVs and job interviews

Do I have to put a photo on my CV in Spain?

No. A photo is optional. It is common, and it may help for some jobs, but leaving it out will not disqualify you.

How long should a Spanish CV be?

EURES recommends keeping it clear and concise, ideally no more than two A4 pages.

Should I write my CV in Spanish or English?

Use the language of the job advert. For most jobs in Spain that means Spanish. For international companies an English CV may be fine, but a Spanish cover letter still makes a good impression.

Do I need my foreign degree recognised?

For most private-sector jobs, the employer decides. For regulated professions and many public-sector posts you need official recognition (homologación or equivalencia) from the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades.

Useful links

• EURES – Living and working conditions in Spain
• Europass – create a free CV and cover letter
• Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades – recognition of foreign degrees
• SEPE – Spanish public employment service

Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules and prices change, so check with the official source before you decide.