CV Format in Spain

The next step to landing that Spanish dream job is to jump into it. Spain is particular with regards to their cover letters and CVs. As a foreign applicant, you must perform some retrofitting to your CV to meet the Spanish standard and increase your chances of getting noticed and, eventually, get hired.

Let’s take a look at Study.com’s thorough list of Spanish terms that you will need in writing your CV and cover letter.

el curriculum	ayl koo-ree-koo-loom	The CV
la carta de presentación	lah kahr-tah day pray-san-tah-thyohn	The cover letter
la dirección	lah dee-ray-thyohn	The address
la empresa	lah aym-pray-sah	The business
la fecha	lah fay-chah	The date
la referencia laboral	lah ray-fay-rayn-thee-ah lah-boh-rahl	The work reference
estimado señor	ays-tee-mah-doh sayn-yohr	Dear Mister
estimada señora	ays-tee-mah-dah sayn-yoh-rah	Dear Missus
a quien corresponda	ah kyayn koh-rays-pohn-dah	To whom it may concern
querido	kay-ree-doh	Dear
cordiales saludos	kohr-dyalays- sah-loo-dohs	Best regards
muy atentamente	mooy ah-tayn-tah-mayn-tay	Yours faithfully

In creating your cover letter and CV español, the first thing you must consider is the language you are going to use. Since you are trying to (re)start your career in Spain, it is smart to study how you can make your el curriculum adapt to the Spanish business culture. The best strategy you can apply is writing both your cover letter and CV in Spanish. But if you are seeking jobs in an anglophone office or the job advertisement that does not require Spanish language ability, English will do.

Points to consider in composing a well-written CV:

Typed
Concise
Highly structured
Not more than two pages

Make sure you use clear headings and portions in doing layouts because the goal is to create your CV efficiently and professionally. This presentation can help your CV be seen and scanned by the HR manager effectively.

Parts of your CV	Content
Photo	HR Managers and recruiters may expect a professional photo directly included in your CV. While it is ideal, it is not mandatory. You can provide the photo separately.
Personal Information	This portion includes your full name, date of birth, nationality, your current address with the postcode, and contact information (telephone and or mobile number, professional email address).
Employment	The next part of your CV right after your details will depend if you have had 3 years of work experience or below. If it is the former, then personal information should be followed by your professional career history. Keep in mind that this section is the backbone of your CV. It is efficient to write your work experience from your most recent job to the succeeding ones. Start with the company or organization's name and address, the date, job title, followed by a brief description of your responsibilities, and your achievements during your tenure. On condition that you don't have sufficient employment experience yet, you can add your internships, summer jobs, and volunteering opportunities following the same format and of relevance to the job you are applying for. PRO TIP: Present this part using bullet points so that it is well-organized.
Education	This part is the list of all the educational experiences that you have earned. It comes after the personal information section if your work history is below the 3-year rule. Your educational background should be written as follows: Course name University or institution name and address Start and end dates of the course Final grade (optional)
Language	As the name implies, this component should contain the languages you are fluent in - oral or written capability or level - alongside certifications to support your claim.
Skills	Highlight your digital skills or computer knowledge and include your skill level.
Interests and Achievements	Include the relevant interests or awards to add strength to your CV.
Reference	While this can be included in your CV, you can also write in this section that references will be provided upon request.

You can also download CV templates from Europass, Don Quijote, and Modelo Curriculum. Do not forget that the goal is to make your CV stand out from the Spanish job market.