How to Write a CV in Spanish: Structure, Wording and Example

A Spanish currículum vítae is not a translated version of your existing resume. The structure, the level of personal detail and the tone all differ — and a CV that reads as foreign gets filtered before anyone assesses your experience.

The structure Spanish employers expect

1. Datos personales — name, phone, email, city. A photo is still common in Spain, unlike in the UK or US.
2. Perfil profesional — three or four lines summarising who you are professionally. This has largely replaced the old "objective" section.
3. Experiencia laboral — reverse chronological: job title, company, city, dates, then bullet points of what you actually did.
4. Formación académica — degrees, institution, years. Foreign degrees may need homologación to be recognised.
5. Idiomas — languages with CEFR levels and certificates.
6. Conocimientos informáticos — software and technical skills.
7. Otros datos — driving licence, availability to travel, volunteering.

Wording that works

Spanish CVs use impersonal or infinitive constructions rather than "I did":

• Gestión de un equipo de 8 personas — management of a team of 8.
• Responsable de la relación con clientes internacionales — responsible for international client relations.
• Incremento del 30% en ventas durante el primer año — 30% increase in sales in the first year.
• Coordinación de proyectos con equipos remotos — coordinating projects with remote teams.

Numbers matter as much as they do anywhere: gestión de un presupuesto de 200.000 € says more than gestión de presupuestos. Note the Spanish convention — full stop for thousands, comma for decimals.

The languages section, done properly

Do not write "advanced" or "fluent" — Spanish recruiters read CEFR levels:

• Español: B2 (DELE B2, 2025)
• Inglés: nativo
• Francés: A2

A certificate turns a claim into a fact. What level you actually need for work is covered in our guide to Spanish levels for residency and work.

What to leave out

• Length beyond two pages. One is standard early in a career, two is the maximum.
• Marital status and exact date of birth. Once routine in Spain, now increasingly omitted.
• References. Provide them when asked; referencias disponibles bajo petición is filler.
• Machine-translated text. Recruiters spot it instantly, and it undermines whatever level you claimed in the languages section.

How it differs from a UK or US resume

The cover letter

Still standard in Spain and often read before the CV. Three short paragraphs: why this company, what you bring, availability. Open with Estimado/a Sr./Sra. and a surname if you have one, and close with Quedo a su disposición para una entrevista — a formula recruiters expect.

Once the CV works, the next hurdle is the interview, which will be partly or fully in Spanish even for English-speaking roles. Preparing the standard answers in advance is what separates a nervous interview from a fluent-sounding one — and that preparation is straightforward, because the questions barely change.

Frequently asked questions

Should I put a photo on a Spanish CV?

It remains common in Spain, unlike in the UK or US where it is actively discouraged. A neutral, professional headshot is the safe choice. Some international companies operating in Spain follow anonymous screening, so check the job posting if it specifies a format.

How do I describe my Spanish level on a CV?

Use CEFR levels and name the certificate if you have one — Español: B2 (DELE B2, 2025). Vague descriptions like "intermediate" or "conversational" carry no weight, and overstating your level is exposed within the first minute of a phone interview.

Do I need a cover letter in Spain?

Usually yes. The carta de presentación is still expected for most positions and is often read before the CV itself. Keep it to three short paragraphs and tailor the first one to the specific company — generic letters are transparent and counterproductive.