Although unemployment in Spain has fallen dramatically since its peak of 26.3 percent in 2013, it is still, at 17.2 percent, considerably higher than the European average (7.8%) and second only to Greece (22.5%) within the EU. With good employment opportunities so hard to come by, having a well-written curriculum vitae (CV) can be the difference between getting the job or continuing the search. As always, the key is in the preparation. A well honed CV, resume or currículum will highlight your best skills and most relevant experiences and stand out from the sea of other CVs floating on your potential employer’s desk.
It’s important to adapt to the local format and to give employers what they want and need to see, or you may be discarded early on in the process. There are a couple of features of Spanish CVs which can be surprising to foreign job seekers. Nicki Kelly, Recruitment and Loyalty Manager at Holmes Place, said that “the main difference I saw when I moved to Spain in the CVs is that everyone includes a picture. This is not the case in the UK or Ireland.” Most businesses also require a detailed ‘Personal Information’ (Datos Personales) section, where you will be expected to include your date of birth. This is still standard practice in Spain, although in many countries it is no longer included. Make sure to list the languages you speak in this section, as language skills are highly valued in the cosmopolitan context of Barcelona. If you are a foreign resident, you may also want to convey a sense of permanency and willingness to stay in the city. Adding any information which can demonstrate this will give your CV added advantage.
Tips for CV writing
1. Use simple language
It may pose a challenge to write your CV in Spanish, especially if you don’t have a solid grasp of the language. Keep the vocabulary professional, precise and formal, and refrain from using complex phrasing to avoid inaccuracies.
2. Ask a native speaker to proofread
Once completed, ask a native Spanish speaker to proofread and fine-tune your CV to avoid any embarrassing mistakes in language or grammar. There’s always a possibility that your CV will be immediately dismissed if an employer spots an error (in Spanish or in English).
3. Less is more
Don’t write long, elaborate paragraphs. Whilst it is important to list your personal details, education and previous employment, it isn’t necessary to write more than a few bullet points to outline crucial information. Keep it clear, concise and informative, and limit everything to one page.
4. Include a professional photograph
The photo on your CV should be professional, so steer clear of using your latest selfie. This picture leaves a lasting impression, so think carefully about how you present yourself.
5. Be relevant and honest
Tailor your CV to suit the job you’re applying for. If you’re applying for a teaching position, for example, your future employer probably doesn’t need to know that you sold make-up in Sephora (unless that’s your only other work experience). Keep it up-to-date and relevant. Most importantly, be honest, especially when it comes to your level of Spanish or Catalan, as this will be obvious the moment you walk into an interview.
6. References
It’s common for people to state at the end of the CV that references can be provided on request, or to include contact details of a referee.