Applying and interviewing in Spanish as a second language

Terms used

• DELE — The DELE is an official Spanish-language diploma issued by Instituto Cervantes, awarded at CEFR levels.
• SIELE — The SIELE is an internationally recognised Spanish-language test that gives you a certificate with a CEFR level.
• Idiomas — Idiomas is the "Languages" section of a Spanish CV, where you list your languages and levels.
• Lengua materna — Lengua materna means mother tongue, the label for your first language on a CV.

Key rules

• Level label: Describe your Spanish with a CEFR level such as B2, not with words like "good" or "fluent".
• Certificates: List a certificate only if you hold it; otherwise give your own CEFR estimate.
• Public-sector jobs: Applications for public-sector jobs must be in Spanish.
• Proofreading: Have a native speaker check your Spanish and never send machine-translated text.

Give your level as a CEFR label, not a adjective

Write your Spanish level with a CEFR label. A1–A2 is basic, B1–B2 is independent, and C1–C2 is proficient. Put it in an "Idiomas" section, for example: "Español: C1 (DELE C1, Instituto Cervantes, 2024)".

• With a certificate, list its name, level and year. This works for DELE, SIELE, an official language school certificate or a university certificate.
• Without a certificate, give your own CEFR estimate. Do not claim an official certificate you do not hold.
• If Spanish is your first language, write "lengua materna".
• Skip "good" or "fluent" unless a CEFR level backs them up. Do not inflate your level, because an interviewer may test it.

A Europass CV is accepted in Spain and uses the same CEFR grid. Most people use a simple custom CV of one or two pages.

Choose the language of your CV and cover letter

Use the language of the job advert.

• Spanish companies: write in Spanish. It also shows what you can do.
• International companies, tech start-ups and roles that need English: use English. A bilingual version can help.
• Catalonia, the Basque Country, Valencia and Galicia: Spanish is fine unless the advert asks for the regional language.
• Public-sector jobs: Spanish is required.

If your Spanish is not strong, ask a native speaker to proofread it. Never send machine-translated text. If an advert states a preferred language, follow it.

Expect these questions in the interview

Interviews at Spanish firms are usually in Spanish, even in regions with a second official language. Some switch to English partway to test it. International companies, tech firms and multinationals often interview fully in English. Recruiters often test your language informally as you talk.

Common questions:

• ¿Qué nivel de español tienes?
• ¿Dónde lo aprendiste?
• ¿Tienes algún certificado (DELE, SIELE)?
• ¿Te sientes cómodo/a trabajando en español?
• ¿Qué otros idiomas hablas?
• ¿Cuánto tiempo llevas en España?
• ¿Estás aprendiendo español ahora?
• ¿Podrías escribir o hacer una presentación en español?

Answer honestly and show progress

Give your level, show what you can do with it, and say what you are doing to improve. For example: "Tengo un nivel B2. Puedo mantener reuniones y escribir emails en español, aunque todavía estoy mejorando en vocabulario técnico. Estoy haciendo un curso y preparo el DELE C1."

• Present limits as work in progress and pair them with strengths, such as fluent English, other languages or fast learning.
• Name real steps: classes, daily practice, living in Spanish.
• Offer to switch to Spanish for part of the interview so they can hear your level.
• Do not just say "poco" with no context, and do not apologise again and again.

The documents, checklist, warnings and FAQ below cover the rest.

Documents you need

• A Spanish language certificate such as DELE (issued by Instituto Cervantes), SIELE, an official language school (EOI) certificate or a university certificate. List it on your CV with its name, level and year. Only mention it if you actually have one.

• A CV with an "Idiomas" section giving your Spanish level on the CEFR scale. If you have no certificate, give a CEFR self-assessment instead, for example "Español: B2".

• A Europass CV, if you prefer that format. It uses the CEFR grid for listening, reading, spoken interaction, spoken production and writing. A simple CV of one or two pages is more common in Spain.

• Your certificate to hand at the interview, since interviewers often ask "¿Tienes algún certificado (DELE, SIELE)?".

Checklist for a job interview in Spanish

Prepare for a job interview in Spanish

• Work out your CEFR level (for example B1 or B2) and say it with that label, not with words like "good" or "fluent".

• Write one or two sentences about what you can do at that level, such as holding meetings or writing emails in Spanish.

• Add one limit as work in progress, for example: "Todavía estoy mejorando en vocabulario técnico.

• Pair your limits with strengths, such as fluent English, other languages or fast learning, and avoid saying only "poco" or apologising repeatedly.

• Prepare short answers to the usual language questions: ¿Qué nivel de español tienes? ¿Dónde lo aprendiste? ¿Tienes algún certificado (DELE, SIELE)? ¿Te sientes cómodo/a trabajando en español? ¿Cuánto tiempo llevas en España?

• Practise answering if you are asked to write something or give a short presentation in Spanish.

• Learn the core words: experiencia laboral (work experience), puesto (position), formación (education), habilidades (skills), puntos fuertes y débiles (strengths and weaknesses), logros (achievements).

• Learn the availability words: disponibilidad inmediata, incorporación (start date), preaviso (notice period), jornada completa o parcial (full or part time), turnos (shifts).

• Learn the pay words: sueldo bruto y neto anual (gross and net yearly pay), 12 o 14 pagas (pay in 12 or 14 instalments), pagas extra, convenio colectivo (collective agreement) and expectativas salariales (salary expectations).

• Learn the contract words: contrato indefinido (permanent), contrato temporal, fijo discontinuo (permanent seasonal), contrato de prácticas (work placement), periodo de prueba (trial period) and autónomo (self-employed).

• Ask the employer which language the interview will be in, as it may be Spanish, English or a switch between the two.

What to watch out for

• Vague or inflated level on your CV: Labels like "good" or "fluent" mean little, and an overstated level can be tested in the interview. Use a CEFR level such as B1, B2 or C1, and only claim what you can do. Write your level with the CEFR label and add a certificate with its year if you have one.

• Machine-translated or unchecked Spanish: A CV or cover letter with machine-translated text shows weak Spanish before anyone meets you. Ask a native Spanish speaker to proofread everything before you send it.

• Writing in the wrong language: Sending an English CV for a Spanish-language advert, or Spanish where the advert asks for English or a regional language, can count against you. Match the language of the advert. For public-sector jobs, use Spanish.

• Undermining yourself in the interview: Saying only "poco" without context, or apologising again and again, makes your Spanish sound weaker than it is. State your level, give one thing you can do at that level, and say what you are doing to improve, such as classes or daily practice.

Frequently asked questions

Should I write my CV in Spanish or English?

Write your CV in the language of the job advert, which is Spanish for most jobs in Spanish companies. Use English if the advert is in English or the employer is international, such as a tech start-up.

Do I need to write in Spanish for a public-sector job?

Yes, public-sector jobs require your application to be in Spanish, so do not send an English version. If your Spanish is weak, ask a native speaker to proofread it. Do not submit machine-translated text.

Will the interview be in Spanish or English?

Interviews are generally in Spanish in Spanish firms, and fully in English at many international companies, tech firms and multinationals.

How do I write my level if I am a native speaker of another language?

List each language with its level in an "Idiomas" section, and write "lengua materna" next to your native language. Give the others a CEFR level, such as "Español: B2".