Searching for and landing a job

It is for anyone thinking about moving to Spain, planning the move or already there, and looking for work. You will learn where Spanish jobs are filled, how to apply and why employers may not reply.

Start with "Where Spanish jobs are actually advertised and filled". It shows you which portals, networks and public services really work, and the other pages build on it.

Recognition of qualifications, learning workplace Spanish, workplace etiquette and contract terms after an offer are covered in other topics.

Key rules

• CV length: A Spanish CV is one page for junior profiles and at most two pages for experienced candidates.
• Following up: Wait one to two weeks after applying or interviewing, then send one short, polite follow-up.
• Who employs you: If a temp agency (ETT) places you, the agency is your legal employer: it signs your contract and pays your wages and Social Security, while the client company directs your daily work.
• Agency fees: Placement agencies and temp agencies (ETTs) may not charge you anything for finding you a job or hiring you; only the employer can pay them.
• Unpaid trial work: An unpaid trial day that involves real work for the company is not legal; short exercises that only assess your skills are tolerated.
• Register where you live: You register as a job seeker with the employment service of the region where you live, not where you want to work.

Searching for and landing a job: the whole process, step by step

• Check you are allowed to work and register as a job seeker with your regional employment service: before you start applying

• Find vacancies through portals, networks and public services (Where Spanish jobs are actually advertised and filled): from the start, and keep it up through the whole search

• Prepare a Spanish-style CV and cover letter (Writing a Spanish-style CV (currículum) and cover letter): before your first application

• Time your applications: hiring is busiest from September to November and from January to March: August and the second half of December are slow; avoid expecting fast answers then

• Send one short, polite follow-up (Why you are not hearing back from Spanish employers): one to two weeks after applying or interviewing

• Go through the hiring stages: HR call, one or two interviews, and a test for technical roles (Spanish interviews, salary expectations and trial tasks): the whole process usually takes 2 to 6 weeks, longer at large companies

• Consider recruitment firms and temp agencies as a parallel route (Using recruitment firms and temp agencies (ETT)): alongside your direct applications

• Check entry-level options if you are a recent graduate (Internships and training contracts (prácticas and contrato formativo)): within 3 years of finishing your studies for the professional practice contract

• Compare the offer as gross annual salary and ask whether it is for 12 or 14 payments: when the offer arrives

• Sign the contract; a trial period only counts if it is written into the contract: before your first day

• Renew your job-seeker card on the dates printed on it: usually every three months while you are registered

Documents you may need

• Written contract that includes the trial period — Spanish interviews, salary expectations and trial tasks

• Contract or collective agreement — Spanish interviews, salary expectations and trial tasks

• Your CV — Where Spanish jobs are actually advertised and filled, Writing a Spanish-style CV (currículum) and cover letter

• Your DNI — Where Spanish jobs are actually advertised and filled

• Your Social Security number — Where Spanish jobs are actually advertised and filled

• A short cover letter — Writing a Spanish-style CV (currículum) and cover letter

Searching for and landing a job: questions that cross several articles

Can I apply for jobs in Spain without a work permit?

Yes, you can search and apply without a work permit, but an employer cannot lawfully hire you until you have work authorisation. Only residents allowed to work can register as job seekers. Read Where Spanish jobs are actually advertised and filled for where to search.

Can an employer ask me about pregnancy, religion or health in an interview?

No, employers may not ask questions that lead to discrimination, such as pregnancy, family plans, religion, political views or union membership. Health questions are allowed only if directly tied to the job. See Spanish interviews, salary expectations and trial tasks for how to handle them.

How long can a trial period last in Spain?

If the collective agreement says nothing, a trial period lasts at most 6 months for qualified technicians and 2 months for other workers. It only counts if it is written in your contract. The formative contracts in Internships and training contracts (prácticas and contrato formativo) allow no trial period.

Is a salary offer of 14 payments higher than one of 12 payments?

No, the annual total is the same; only the split changes. With 14 payments, ordinary months are lower and two extra-pay months are higher. Always compare gross annual salary, as explained in Spanish interviews, salary expectations and trial tasks.

Who is my employer if a temp agency places me?

The temp agency is your legal employer: it signs your contract and pays your wages and Social Security. The client company directs your daily work. Read Using recruitment firms and temp agencies (ETT) for the details.