🇪🇸How to Write a CV for Spain

Quick facts: CVs in Spain

These are common practices; they vary by employer and industry. If a job ad asks for something specific, follow the ad.

What to include

What to leave off

• Long CVs — One to two pages is usually enough.
• Too many personal details — Marital status is not usually expected.
• Overstating your Spanish — It shows in the first phone call.
• Casual photos — If you include a photo, make it professional.

ATS and CVs in Spain

In Spain, platforms such as InfoJobs, LinkedIn and Indeed, as well as large companies' career portals, often screen applications automatically or with filters. Smaller firms may read CVs by hand, but these rules always help:

• Use a single-column template with clear section headings.
• Include important terms from the ad for skills you genuinely have.
• Format dates consistently (month/year).
• Complete your profile on job platforms carefully, as some rely on profile data for matching.
• A PDF is usually best.
• Test your file with the CV checker.

Keep the layout simple and the wording specific, so both software and recruiters can see quickly why you fit the role.

On InfoJobs in particular, recruiters often look at your profile before the uploaded file, so use the same job titles and skills in both.

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CV example

Examples by job

Applying for jobs in Spain

Popular places to job hunt in Spain include InfoJobs (one of the best-known sites there), LinkedIn and Indeed, plus Tecnoempleo for tech roles and company career pages. Temporary employment agencies (ETTs) are also common.

• Networking: personal recommendations carry weight, so keep LinkedIn current and consistent with your CV.
• Contract types: ads may mention permanent (indefinido), temporary or internship (prácticas) positions.
• Recognition of degrees: some regulated professions may require homologación of a foreign qualification.
• Work permits: non-EU citizens usually need work authorization and a foreigner identification number (NIE), and procedures vary by situation. Check official Spanish government websites or the consulate.

Start in the CV builder, and see our France guide if you are also applying in neighbouring countries.

The market varies by city: Madrid and Barcelona host many international and tech companies, while tourism and hospitality matter along the coasts and islands. In regions such as Catalonia, the regional language can be an extra asset for some roles, particularly in the public sector.

CV language

For most roles in Spain, employers usually expect a CV in Spanish, especially at local companies, in customer service and in the public sector. English may be acceptable at international companies, startups and tech firms in Madrid and Barcelona when the job ad itself is in English.

To be clear: our builder outputs English or French only; it cannot write Spanish. It suits English-language ads; for Spanish-language ads you will need a version reviewed by a fluent speaker.

Even at international firms, Spanish helps a lot in daily work, so state your level honestly.

CV or resume?

In Spain the document is called a Currículum Vitae or simply CV. It is close to a resume in length (one to two pages), though photos appear more often. The Europass format is known, but a concise CV is more common. See our CV examples.

Your CV often travels alongside a completed job-site profile, so keep titles and dates consistent between the two.

Cover letters in Spain

A cover letter (carta de presentación) can help but is not always required, and many platforms accept applications with just a CV. If you write one, keep it short (three or four paragraphs), friendly yet professional, and tailored to the company. You can start with a draft from the cover letter generator.

Write it in the language of the ad and avoid copy-paste templates.

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