Writing a Spanish-style CV (currículum) and cover letter

Key rules

• Length: Use one page if you are junior and two pages if you are experienced.
• Languages: State a level from A1 to C2 for every language you list.
• Photo: A photo is optional, and employers may not require one.
• Cover letter: Keep it brief and tailored to the company and the job.

What a Spanish CV looks like

Keep it short and structured. Use one page for junior profiles and two pages for experienced candidates. Longer CVs are normally acceptable only for academic, research or senior technical roles.

What goes in, and in what order

1. Personal data: name, phone, email, city and LinkedIn profile.
2. Short profile: optional, two or three lines.
3. Work experience: newest first. For each job give the company, your role, the dates and two or three bullets on what you achieved.
4. Education.
5. Languages: state a level for each, using the A1 to C2 scale (for example "English C1"). Employers look for this.
6. IT and other skills.
7. Extras: certifications or volunteering.

Leave out your date of birth, marital status and DNI. You do not need them.

Photo

A photo is optional. Employers may not require one, because a photo counts as personal data. Many recruiters now advise leaving it out, and large companies and multinationals often prefer no photo. If you add one, make it professional and neutral.

Language

Write the CV in the language of the job advert. Spanish is the default for Spanish companies and public bodies. English suits multinationals, tech firms, startups and adverts written in English. If the language is unclear or the role is international, send a bilingual CV or two versions.

In Catalonia, the Basque Country, Galicia, Valencia and the Balearics, Spanish is still accepted. A regional language may count in your favour.

Format

Use a clean sans-serif font such as Calibri or Arial at 10 to 12 pt. Keep margins even and colour light. Save it as a PDF. The Europass format is accepted but not required.

Public-sector job calls have their own formats, so follow the call's instructions there.

The cover letter

A cover letter (carta de presentación) is optional but welcome. It helps most when you apply without a vacancy, for qualified roles, or when there is no application form. Keep it to half a page to one page, roughly 150 to 300 words. Name the company and the job, and say why you fit. Many job portals give you a text box instead of a letter, so put the same short pitch there.

The documents list and the cover email template below give you something to start from.

Documents you need

• Your CV as a PDF named CV_Nombre_Apellido, with your name, phone, email, city, work experience, education, languages with levels from A1 to C2, and skills. Europass format is accepted but not required.

• A short cover letter (carta de presentación), tailored to the company and job. It is most useful for spontaneous applications or when the advert has no form.

Spanish cover email and CV layout you can adapt

Copy the email below and replace everything in square brackets. The email is in Spanish, with short English notes around it.

Cover email

Subject line. Keep it short and clear. Use the job title and your name, or the reference number if the ad gives one.

Asunto: Candidatura: [Puesto] – [Nombre Apellido]

or

Asunto: Ref. [número] – Candidatura [Puesto]

Body. Use three or four short paragraphs: the job and where you saw it, your strengths, your availability and languages, then an offer of an interview.

Estimados señores:

Me dirijo a ustedes para presentar mi candidatura al puesto de [puesto] publicado en [lugar donde vio el anuncio].

Cuento con [número] años de experiencia en [área], donde he [logro concreto con una cifra, si puede]. También tengo experiencia en [segunda fortaleza relacionada con el puesto], que creo útil para este puesto.

Estoy disponible para incorporarme [inmediatamente / en fecha]. Mi nivel de español es [nivel, por ejemplo B2] y de inglés, [nivel, por ejemplo C1]. [Si procede: Resido en/me trasladaré a [ciudad] y dispongo de autorización para trabajar en España.]

Adjunto mi CV en PDF [y mi carta de presentación]. Quedo a su disposición para una entrevista o para ampliar cualquier información.

Agradeciendo de antemano su atención, reciban un cordial saludo.

[Nombre Apellido]
Tel.: [teléfono con prefijo +34 si es español]
Correo: [email]
Perfil profesional: [enlace]

Choosing the tone

• Formal is the safe default. Use "usted" and avoid slang.
• Greetings you can swap in:
  • "Estimado Sr. [Apellido]:" or "Estimada Sra. [Apellido]:" when you know the name.
  • "Estimados señores:" when you don't.
  • "A la atención del departamento de Recursos Humanos:" for a general address.
  • "Buenos días:" is also fine.
• Sign-offs you can swap in: "Atentamente," and "Un cordial saludo," are standard. "Un saludo," is slightly less formal and also acceptable.
• Avoid "Muy Sr. mío". It sounds dated.
• Match the job ad. Start-ups, creative companies and international firms often write in "tú" and open with "Hola [Nombre]". If the ad does, do the same.

Attachments

• Save your CV as a PDF named CV_Nombre_Apellido.pdf.
• Attach a cover letter only if the ad asks for one.
• Mention each attachment in the email, as in the sample.

CV layout

Keep it to one page if you are early in your career, and at most two pages if you are experienced. Use this order:

1. Personal data: name, phone, email, city and a link to your professional profile.
2. Short profile (optional): two or three lines on who you are and what you offer.
3. Education: degree, institution, year.
4. Languages: each with its level on the European scale, from A1 to C2.
5. IT and other skills: only those relevant to the job.
6. Extras: certifications, volunteering.

Formatting tips:

• Use a clean sans-serif font such as Calibri or Arial, at 10 to 12 points. Keep margins even and colour minimal.
• A photo is common but optional, and many recruiters prefer none.
• Public-sector job calls have their own formats. Follow the call's instructions instead of this layout.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a cover letter for a Spanish job application?

No, a cover letter (carta de presentación) is optional in Spain, but it is welcome. It helps most for spontaneous applications and qualified roles. Keep it to half a page to one page, roughly 150 to 300 words, and tailor it to the company. Many job portals use a form field instead.

Does a regional language matter for my CV in Catalonia or Galicia?

Spanish is still accepted in Catalonia, the Basque Country, Galicia, Valencia and the Balearics. A regional language may be valued, so list it with your level in the languages section.

Can an employer make me add a photo to my CV?

No, an employer may not require a photo, because a photo counts as personal data under data protection law. Photos are still common, but many recruiters now suggest leaving one out. If you add one, use a professional, neutral picture.