Most of us may not be familiar with the fact that Spanish is an extremely important language in the world. Today, Spanish is the second world language as a vehicle of international communication and the third as an international language of politics, economics, and culture.
After this, you might not be quite as shocked or astonished as you were when you were asked to write a resume in Spanish. But stay worry-free, because we are here to help you through this tedious job. We assure you that, by the end of this article, you would have mastered the art of writing a perfect and job-winning Spanish resume.
If you are in a hurry and want to cut through the chase; use our ready-to-use resume templates and make your resume in 10 minutes -or less-
Differences Between Resumes in Spanish and English
Spanish resumes and English resumes are not identical. They are pretty similar, but there are some cultural differences that have an impact on the way people write them, particularly if we compare the classic resume used in some countries of Latin America and the resumes we find in the US and Canada.
Here are a few differences:-
Personal Information- Spanish Resume - It is normal to mention personal information like birth date, gender, marital status, etc. on the resume. Though never mention your full address.
- English Resume - It is illegal to be asked for such personal information that could lead to discrimination, and hence such information is not mentioned on resumes.
- Spanish Resume - It is usually asked or preferable for a Spanish resume to add a photo of yourself.
- English Resume - Due to discrimination factors, it is best advised to not add a photo.
How to Write A Job-Winning Resume in Spanish
If you need to write a resume in Spanish for a job application, you should try to compose the Spanish CV from scratch, taking into account the changes in layout and vital features, rather than simply translating the content.
The principal elements that need to be taken into account are:
- Formatting
- Key Information to include
- Order and importance of sections
- Cultural terms
- Equivalents for grades, courses, etc.
Because the Spanish-speaking job market is so competitive right now, you'll need to stand out with your resume. The resume, also known as el curriculum, should be typed and no longer than two A4 pages. It should be clear, simple, and well-structured.
Keep it as professional and factual as possible by limiting the use of the first person. Similarly, instead of long paragraphs, use bullet points. And despite it's important to emphasize your abilities and traits, don't lie.
Arrange your resume in the following order:-
- Personal details or datos personales
- Photo
- Work experience
- Education
- Language
- Key Skills
- Other interests
- References
Now, lastly, let’s take a quick look at the important details and expert tips that can’t be missed while writing a Spanish resume:
- The general rule for the length of a Spanish resume is to maintain all the information within 2x A4 size pages maximum.
- Because the technical resume formatting for different language resumes can vary, the margins and white space on a Spanish curriculum should also be considered. Margins should be 3 cm (just over 1 inch) from the top of the page and 2.5 cm (1 inch) on each side in standard Spanish CVs.
- Another criterion to remember is to include a header or title at the top of the page. This section mustn’t be referred to as a 'Spanish resume,' a 'Resume,' a 'CV,' or a 'Curriculum.' The applicant's full name and other pertinent personal information should be included in the header.
Once you understand the format that is necessary for a Spanish resume to fit the criteria of Spanish employers, you can use a resume in a Spanish CV to see how you can adapt your resume to their requirements.
If you are looking for some other resume, you can always check out our job-winning Resume Examples
Begin Your Spanish Resume with The Header
You can either use broader resume headers, or you can use more role-specific or job-specific headings to title your sections.
Let’s take a look!
Good Header Vs. Bad Header
Isla Cisneros
Profesora de español
isla.cisneros@gmail.com829-430-7532
Spanish Teacher
Isla Cisneros
islacisnerosforfacebook@gmail.com829-430-7532
47, main street, apt 7,
Washington DC
USA
The photo: Vital on The Spanish Resume
Recruiters in other nations require a Spanish curriculum to include a professional profile picture, unlike the 88% of US recruiters who reject resumes with images. On the front page of the resume, there is a passport-sized photo. It should just display the head and shoulders, and it should be properly shot for this purpose rather than taken from another photo.
If you don't want to include a photo on your Spanish resume, don't worry; it's not required, and the 'anonymous CV' is becoming increasingly popular in Spanish companies, so it shouldn't be a problem.
Candidates should be aware, however, that traditionally Spanish-speaking recruiters are used to seeing this photo as part of an applicant's professional profile. Hence, make sure to be professional that impresses Spanish recruiters.
The Experience - Experiencia profesional
The work experience section, which is usually in the second position on a Spanish CV, should include a list of your most recent and important roles. You can see how Spanish CV examples display past positions in reverse chronological order to arrange the job history section correctly, and every candidate should do the same so that potential employers have a good understanding of the candidate's professional evolution.
The format for each entry in the job experience section should be the same:
- Name of Position/Job title
- Company name or sector
- Location
- Dates of employment
- Description of tasks and responsibilities
Remember to only include job experience that is directly related to the organization, industry, or position you're applying for.
Education
Formación Académica
The education section or training section, which is dedicated to showcasing the candidate's qualifications and certificates, is frequently featured in third place on a Spanish resume, especially for entry-level or student resume candidates.
The following is a list of information that should be provided in this section:
- Qualification name and kind (where possible offer the Spanish equivalent).
- Start and end dates (If the course is still in progress, use the word 'en curso' to indicate that the certificate has not yet been issued).
- Name of the academy and/or its location.
If you have many diplomas, you only need to list the most relevant and recent ones to show a prospective employer that you have training in the field you wish to work in.
If you have completed professional courses or training programs, this part will normally be included in your Spanish CV. If you hold both professional and academic qualifications, as many job seekers do these days, incorporate the most relevant material from each course in this area to provide the hiring managers with a well-rounded picture of your professional key skills.
Skills - Competencias/Aptitudes
Although a dedicated hard and soft skills section is not traditionally found on a Spanish resume, it is becoming more common, and it could give you an advantage in the job application process if you directly demonstrate to the hiring managers that you possess certain abilities that other candidates do not claim to possess.
About Me: Summarize Your Professional Profile
Possibly the most significant section of your own resume is your professional profile/personal statement. A strong professional summary statement or content is a short introduction of roughly 100 words that describe your work talents and experiences and persuade recruiters to study your resume.
ExampleAdditional sections for your Spanish Resume Examples
Languages - Idiomas
If you prefer to include your linguistic talents in a separate languages area or include them in your general skills part, make sure to indicate not only the language but also your proficiency level.
Candidates should indicate their linguistic talents on a resume for Spain according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which grades fluency on a range of A1 (basic knowledge) to C2 (advanced knowledge) (native fluency).
This part should contain any widely recognized tests you have taken, such as a DELE (Diploma de Español Como Lengua Extranjera = Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language). This will give the recruiting manager a better idea of your qualifications.
If you're applying to work for a Spanish firm in the United States or abroad, you may also utilize a more worldwide scale. The terminology used to characterize linguistic ability are as follows:
- Beginner – Inicial/Principiante
- Elementary – Básico
- Intermediate – Intermedio
- Advanced – Avanzado
- Bilingual – Bilingüe
- Mother tongue – Lengua Materna
Computing Skills & Certifications - Competencias informáticas
Candidates should decide what sorts of IT applications or languages they can utilize to demonstrate their competence in this area to the hiring manager.
Microsoft Office, for example, is more commonly featured in Spanish resumes than in American resumes; it is referred to as Ofimática. Candidates for other programs should include the technical nomenclature and, if necessary, explain the principal purpose so that the hiring manager can assess the skill's applicability as part of the job application.
Publications
Should you mention publications on a resume?
Of course you should!
Especially if they’re required. Or if you know they’ll impress the hiring managers.
Our goal: To make the hiring team see that.
Knowing how to put publications on a resume can help.
Use these quick resume publication format tips:
Publications on a Resume
- Put them in a separate resume section called “Publications.”
- Add your publications section below your education.
- Include each publication in a new bullet point.
- List the year and title.
- Add the name of the magazine, website, or journal.
- Stick with publications that show required skills.
Tips to Improve Your Spanish Resume
- Make use of straightforward language. Resume writing in Spanish might be difficult, especially if you don't speak Spanish fluently. To minimize errors, keep the terminology professional, concise, and official, and avoid utilizing convoluted phrases.
- Have a native speaker proofread your work. Once your CV is finished, get it checked and fine-tuned by a native Spanish speaker to eliminate any embarrassing grammatical or linguistic errors. If an employer notices an inaccuracy in your CV, it may be rejected right away.
- Less is more in this case. Don't use long, complicated paragraphs. While it is critical to provide your data, writing more than a few bullet points to describe relevant information is not necessary. Keep it simple, clear, and informative, and keep it to one page.
- Include a professional photo. Keep in mind that the photo on your resume should be professional. This image will stay with you for a long time, so consider how you portray yourself.
- Be current and truthful. Make your CV specific to the position you're looking for. If you're looking for a teaching job, for example, your prospective employer probably doesn't care if you sold make-up at Sephora (unless that's your only other job experience).
- Add references. It's typical to add contact information for a referee or to note after some cultural differences have the CV that references are available upon request.
Summary: Write a Perfect Spanish Resume
Candidates should evaluate cover letters in Spanish, often known as cartas de presentación, in addition to reviewing Spanish resume examples and using a Spanish resume template. It will be important to offer both the Spanish curriculum vitae and the cover letter when applying for a job in Spain, Mexico, or any Spanish-speaking country or firm.
Complement Your Resume with Your Cover Letter
Your cover letter, also known as a Carta de Presentacion, should be typed, brief and straightforward, and written in a formal tone.
- Top left: write your name, address, and phone number, then the name of the company and the person you're writing to, then the name of the place you're writing from, the date, and the job reference, and lastly the name of the place you're writing from, the date, and the job reference.
- Address the letter to a specific individual. First, describe the position you're looking for, followed by a brief explanation of why you're applying and which features of your CV make you a good fit. Don't go into too much depth; your CV is for that.
- End the letter officially with something like En Espera de sus noticias, le Saluda atentamente, then sign it and write your name beneath.
Take a look at our job-winning cover letter templates.
FAQ
Why is Spanish important in business?
¿Hablas español? Mastering the basics of the Spanish language provides you with a valuable tool for commerce and cultural connection. It is the official local language of 20 countries.
- Communicating in Spanish Gives You a Competitive Edge
- Spanish Skills Can Give You the Upper Hand in a Job Search
What should Spanish teachers put on their resumes?
An important part of being a good Spanish teacher is a high level of proficiency in the Spanish language. Try to include this in your resume by including your oral and written proficiency levels and the number of years of Spanish experience you currently possess.