How to Write a CV in Spain: Format, Length and What Spanish Recruiters Expect

Applying for jobs in Spain as an English speaker or expat means adapting to a different set of conventions. Spanish recruiters have specific expectations around format, content, and presentation that differ from UK and US norms in ways that can affect whether your application moves forward.

Length and format

One page is the default for most candidates in Spain. Two pages are acceptable for senior professionals with substantial experience. The document is called a curriculum vitae, or simply currículum, and the expectations are broadly similar to a French CV: structured, dense, and with no room for padding.

Use a clean, single-column layout. Spanish recruiters tend to read CVs quickly and expect a predictable structure. Avoid heavy graphic design, columns, and progress bars for skills. These are common in Spanish CV templates found online but are increasingly disfavoured by recruiters and often break ATS parsing.

Photo: common in Spain

Unlike the UK or US, including a professional photo in your Spanish CV is standard practice. It is not legally required, and you will not be penalised for omitting it. But the majority of Spanish candidates include one, and its absence can occasionally be noticed. If you include a photo, make sure it is recent, professional, and neutrally framed.

Personal information

Include your full name, phone number, email address, LinkedIn profile URL, and city of residence. You do not need to include your full postal address, age, or DNI (Spanish national ID number). Nationality is not expected unless the role requires a specific residency status. Keep the header clean and functional.

Sections and order

• Objetivo profesional (optional): a two to three line statement positioning you for the specific role. More useful for career changers and recent graduates than for experienced professionals
• Experiencia laboral in reverse chronological order: job title, company, dates, and three to five achievement-focused bullet points per role
• Formación (education) in reverse chronological order: degree, institution, graduation year
• Idiomas (languages): list each language with a precise level. Spanish employers use the CEFR scale (A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) or descriptors like "nivel nativo", "bilingüe", "avanzado"
• Habilidades (skills): technical skills, software, and tools relevant to the role
• Otros datos de interés: certifications, courses, voluntary work, or relevant interests

The carta de presentación

Cover letters are expected in Spain when applying to formal job postings, particularly in larger companies and public-sector roles. The letter should explain your interest in the company and role, and highlight two or three specific points from your background that are directly relevant. Generic letters are easy to spot and rarely help.

Job search in Spain: platforms

InfoJobs is the dominant Spanish job board and handles a very large share of private-sector job postings. LinkedIn is widely used, particularly for professional and managerial roles. Indeed Spain is also active. For public-sector roles, applications go through official government portals (the SEPE and relevant ministry sites). Most major Spanish employers also receive applications via their own career pages.

ATS in Spain

Large Spanish companies, multinationals operating in Spain, and growing tech firms use ATS software. The usual rules apply: standard fonts, no tables or graphics, clear section headings, and language that reflects the job description. Smaller Spanish companies often review CVs manually, but keeping your CV ATS-friendly is good practice regardless.

Common mistakes expats make

• Sending a UK-style two-page narrative CV. Cut it down and restructure around bullet points.
• Not including a photo when Spanish candidates almost always do.
• Using vague language level descriptions like "good Spanish." Use CEFR levels or precise descriptors.
• Submitting without a carta de presentación when the posting asks for one.
• Misjudging tone. Spanish CVs are formal and factual. Avoid the self-marketing language common in US resumes.