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With approximately 500 million native Spanish speakers globally and 13% of the U.S. population speaking Spanish, writing a Spanish resume is crucial for job seekers in Spanish-speaking markets. 

This guide outlines how to write a Spanish resume, or Spanish CV as it’s known in Europe, to meet the specific requirements of Spanish-speaking countries, whether you’re targeting opportunities in the U.S. or abroad.

Along with a complete Spanish resume sample, you’ll learn essential formatting tips and answers to frequently asked questions that you can use alongside our AI resume builder.

What Is a Spanish Resume?

A Spanish resume, often called a currículum or CV, is a resume written in Spanish and adapted to the hiring conventions of the target market where you are applying.

It normally includes contact information, a professional profile, work experience, education, skills, and languages. The conventions can differ between Spain and Mexico, as well as other Spanish-speaking countries.

Is a resume in Spanish the same as a resume for Spain?

Not necessarily. A resume in Spanish is any resume written in the Spanish language and may be used in Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, the United States, or another Spanish-speaking market.

A resume for Spain should also reflect Spain’s hiring conventions. This guide covers common principles for writing a resume in Spanish and explains key regional differences separately.

How To Write a Resume in Spanish

To write a resume in Spanish, translate and adapt your professional information using the terminology and conventions expected in the country where you are applying.

Include your contact details, professional profile, work experience, education, relevant skills, and languages, and use natural professional Spanish rather than translating an English resume word for word.

Checklist to write a CV in Spanish

1. Choose the market you are applying to.
2. Use the appropriate Spanish section names.
3. Adapt your professional summary and experience.
4. Follow local formatting conventions.
5. Describe language proficiency clearly.
6. Proofread for regional and professional Spanish.

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Spanish Resume Example: Complete Template With Every Section

The example below shows how a complete Spanish resume can organize a professional profile, work history, education, skills, languages, and additional information.

Use it for inspiration rather than copying the wording directly. You’ll need to write yours so it reflects your experience and targets the country where you are applying.

It can help you select relevant sections, format your resume effectively, and incorporate common terms and phrases used by Spanish-speaking recruiters.

Combine what you learn from the example with our templates and AI suggestions to build a custom Spanish resume template.

Spanish Resume Example

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Lucía Fernández López

Solicitando el puesto de Asistente de Investigación

Datos de contacto

📍 Calle Gran Vía, 15, 28013, Madrid

📧 Email: lucia.fernandez.lopez@gmail.com

📞 Teléfono: 612 345 7XX

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/luciafernandezlopez

Perfil profesional

Graduada en Biotecnología con un Máster Universitario en Investigación Biomédica, buscando su primera experiencia profesional remunerada. Tras haber realizado mis prácticas en el Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de la Universidad Complutense, me gustaría tener la oportunidad de ampliar mis conocimientos laborales y aprender de destacados profesionales en el campo.

Experiencia laboral

Asistente de investigación (prácticas)
Instituto de Investigación Biomédica, Madrid
Octubre 2022 – junio 2023

• Manejo de equipos de laboratorio avanzados
• Colaboración en proyectos de secuenciación genética
• Gestión y análisis de muestras biológicas
• Desarrollo de tareas en entorno de investigación regulado
• Análisis de datos para la mejora de procesos experimentales

Formación académica

Máster Universitario en Investigación Biomédica

Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid

septiembre de 2021 – junio de 2023

Grado en Biotecnología
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid
Septiembre de 2017 – junio de 2021

Habilidades y aptitudes

• Análisis de datos e información
• Optimización de procesos y recursos
• Persona dinámica, proactiva, cooperadora y responsable
• Experiencia en trabajo en equipo y enfoque en objetivos
• Capacidad de organización de tiempos y tareas

Idiomas

Nivel nativo de español.

Información adicional

• Permiso de conducir
• Vehículo propio

Spanish resume vocabulary: English to Spanish

English resume term	Spanish (Spain)
Resume / CV	Currículum / CV
Professional profile	Perfil profesional
Work experience	Experiencia profesional / Experiencia laboral
Education	Formación académica / Educación
Skills	Habilidades / Competencias
Languages	Idiomas
Certifications	Certificaciones
Additional information	Información adicional
Contact details	Datos de contacto

Format and Sections in a Spanish Resume

The Spanish resume follows a clear, standardized structure that helps recruiters quickly find key information.

Spanish resume format at a glance

Element	General guidance
Typical structure	Contact details, profile, experience, education, skills, languages
Experience order	Usually reverse chronological
Length	Keep concise and appropriate to experience
Language	Professional Spanish adapted to the target market
Photo	Practices vary by country and employer
Additional information	Include only details relevant to the application

Your resume should begin with a clear header that includes your name and essential personal details, and arrange sections in an order familiar to Spanish-speaking employers.

Once this formatting is in place, you can adapt your resume to meet local standards and avoid early rejection, as outlined in the sections below.

Should you include a photo on a Spanish resume?

Photo conventions differ by country, sector, and employer.

Photos have traditionally appeared on many CVs in Spain and some other Spanish-speaking markets. However, candidates should check the employer’s application instructions and current local conventions before including one.

EURES advises that although a photo is not mandatory for CVs in Spain, adding one may be helpful. The photo should be passport-sized and show only the head and shoulders.

Mexico’s Ley Federal del Trabajo (Federal Labor Law)¹ strictly prohibits employers from discriminating based on ethnic origin, gender, age, disability, social status, health condition, religion, opinions, sexual orientation, or marital status.

Opinions on including a photo with your CV in Mexico are mixed. You can still attach one, as many people still do, but it’s not mandatory.

Especially in tech positions, the ‘anonymous CV’ (one without a photo) is becoming increasingly accepted.

What Sections Should a Spanish Resume Include?

A Spanish resume commonly includes contact details, a professional profile, work experience, education, relevant skills, and languages.

Depending on the candidate, country, and employer, it may also include certifications, additional information, or other relevant details.

Personal information (Datos personales)

In the header for your resume, include a section dedicated to contact and personal information.

Essential information

• Full name – Nombre completo (First and Last name = Nombre y Apellido).
• General location (region or city) – Ubicación (Estado, Zona, Región, Ciudad).
• Email address – Correo electrónico.
• Phone number – Número de teléfono.

Other personal details may depend on local hiring practices, employer requirements, and privacy expectations.

Be careful not to overshare sensitive personal data, such as age or marital status.

Education and training (Formación académica)

The education or training section is often found at the top of a resume for Spanish-speaking countries, especially for entry-level or student resume candidates.

This section should list:

• Degrees and certificates
• Professional courses
• Training programs in reverse chronological order, including the type of qualification (with a Spanish equivalent where possible)
• Institution or academy name
• Location and start/end dates

You can combine academic degrees and professional training in the same section, or list only the most recent/relevant.

Grades are optional, but if included, they should be converted into a format that is easy to understand in your target country.

Professional experience (Experiencia profesional)

List your work experience using the job title, employer, location where relevant, and employment dates. Under each position, use concise bullet points to describe responsibilities and measurable achievements or metrics in professional Spanish.

List previous posts in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent and working backward.

You don’t have to include every job you’ve ever held; focus on those related to the company, industry, or position you’re applying to.

Add internships and significant volunteer experience in this category, especially if you’re just entering the workforce.

Each entry should include:

• Name of position/Job title
• Company name/sector 
• Location
• Dates of employment (DD/MM/YYYY format)
• Bulleted description of tasks and responsibilities

In your descriptions, the use of the Spanish equivalent of the first person singular ‘I’ – ‘Yo’ should be limited. Instead, simply use the past or infinitive form of the verb.

Strong Spanish resume action verbs include coordinar (to coordinate), desarrollar (to develop), implementar (to implement), optimizar (to optimize), and gestionar (to manage), prepare (preparar), achieve (lograr), obtain (conseguir), and promote (fomentar).

Be sure to describe your experiences in understandable ways. For example:

• problem solving – resolución de problemas
• teamwork – trabajo en equipo
• time management – gestión del tiempo
• communication skills – habilidades de comunicación
• project management – gestión de proyectos

Consider the following examples:

English	Spanish
Led a team of 5 to successfully complete all projects ahead of schedule.	Coordiné un equipo de 5 personas para completar el 100% de los proyectos antes de la fecha límite.
Reduced errors by 20% as a result of optimizing administrative processes.	Optimicé procesos administrativos, reduciendo errores en un 20%.
Produced monthly reports which contributed to internal decision-making processes.	Elaboré informes mensuales para apoyar la toma de decisiones internas.

Spanish may be a foreign language to you, but the hiring manager will spot spelling or grammar mistakes in an instant. Ask a native speaker to proofread the finished product.

Skills (Habilidades y competencias)

Include skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for and that you can demonstrate through your work, education, or projects.

The most essential skills that you should mention in this section are those directly related to the job you’re applying for. You’ll find them in the job description.

Try to demonstrate both hard and soft skills. Hard skills are technical abilities (i.e., a programming language) while soft skills are personality traits (attention to detail, working well under pressure, etc.).

Some of the most crucial to highlight on a Spanish resume include linguistic abilities and IT skills. If your target job focuses on one of these skill sets, you might even make a dedicated section for it. Your skills list might include:

• Gestión de proyectos internacionales
• Atención al cliente bilingüe

Languages (Idiomas)

List the languages you know and your skill level in each. For Spain, use the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) levels, such as A1 to C2, or give a clear description instead of using general terms.

Example:

• Español: Nativo
• Inglés: C1
• Francés: B2

Alternatively, you can use descriptive levels: básico (basic), intermedio (intermediate), avanzado (advanced), bilingüe (bilingual), lengua materna (native/mother tongue). Always be honest and candid in your descriptions.

If you have completed any universally recognized exams, such as a DELE (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera = Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language), include them in this section.

Hobbies and interests (Aficiones)

Only around 30% of Spanish recruiters value a hobbies and interests section, so it should be treated as optional. When added, it must be relevant and present a more well-rounded professional profile.

Sometimes, carefully chosen interests can reinforce shared values and strengthen your application.

Avoid filler content and focus on activities that add value, such as volunteering, team sports, or membership in professional associations.

Additional information (Información adicional)

You may have additional qualifications that don’t fit well in other categories. Here, you might provide:

• Availability
• Driving license type
• Right-to-work details
• Key certifications, such as first aid or project management

Remember, make sure anything you include is relevant to the job you’re seeking.

Resume in Spanish for Mexico

When applying for jobs in Mexico, it’s important to tailor your resume to meet local expectations rather than simply translating an existing one. 

In Mexico, a resume is commonly referred to as a CV or currículum and is similar to those used in Spain or the hoja de vida in other Latin American countries.

What is different about a resume in Mexico?

The main difference is the education section. In CVs in Spanish in Mexico, this should be highly detailed, including college activities, honors, and awards. 

Another notable difference is the use of a separate “Actualizaciones” or updates section, where candidates list recent courses, certifications, or professional training instead of adding them to the education section. 

While the overall structure is similar to Spain’s, these small adjustments can make a strong impression.

Differences between a Spanish resume for Spain vs. Latin America

Spanish-speaking countries do not share one universal resume format. The table below summarizes common differences, but employer requirements and professional norms should always take precedence.

Depending on whether you send your resume to Spain or a country in Latin America, you may need to focus on certain sections differently, or even leave parts out.

There are also dialect and language considerations to be aware of. To help you see key differences in a resume in Spanish by location, take a look at the table below.

Aspect	Resume for Spain	Resume for Latin American countries
Photo	Commonly included and generally expected, especially for traditional roles.	Less common and sometimes discouraged to avoid bias, depending on the country and company.
Regional adaptation	Recruiters expect alignment with European standards and terminology.	Localization by country is important (Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, etc. differ slightly).
Verb tenses	Frequently uses the present perfect for recent experience (he trabajado este año).	More commonly uses the simple past even for recent actions (trabajé este año).
Document conventions	A4 is the universal and official standard for all printed and digital administrative and job application documents.	US Letter is widely used and standard in countries like Mexico and Colombia, though digital PDF formats mean A4 and Letter are often mutually accepted.

To complete a job application for Spain, Mexico, or another Spanish-speaking nation or company, you might need to present both a Spanish curriculum and a cover letter, or carta de presentación.

The ResumeCoach’s AI cover letter generator can help.

Common Questions About Writing a Spanish Resume

Below, you’ll find answers to common questions about Spanish resume tips.

What is the difference between an American resume and a Spanish CV?

CVs in Spanish contain less narrative detail than American resumes. Lists of achievements or responsibilities are straightforward.

Often, Spanish resumes contain a photo, while American ones do not. American resumes are more likely to have a Skills section and Hobbies section, but these are becoming more common in Spanish job markets.

What does a Spanish resume look like?

A Spanish resume typically includes sections for personal information (name, contact details, and a photo), a professional summary, education, work experience, and skills, including languages. Additional information, like certifications or availability, can be listed in an optional section.

How do I create a resume in Spanish?

• Step 1: Collect your contact information, education, work history, skills, and any other relevant information.
• Step 2: Create a document using the correct Spanish terms for each section. 
• Step 3: Use bullet points in your descriptions.
• Step 4: If originally written in English, translate your text into Spanish.
  Step 5: Use ResumeCoach’s resume builder with Spanish templates to make formatting your document easy.

By following these steps, you can create your resume or “Spanish CV“ in minutes.

How do you describe your Spanish language skills in a resume?

Specify your proficiency level using terms like básico (basic), intermedio (intermediate), avanzado (advanced), or nativo (native). 

You can also use standardized levels such as A1-C2 from the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Specify whether your skills are spoken, written, or reading.

What should I include in a Spanish resume with no experience?

Focus on highlighting your education and skills. You can also include internships, volunteer work, and any relevant extracurricular activities. Your projects and coursework can give evidence of your skills in action.

Write a short personal profile to demonstrate how these experiences equip you for the job at hand and convey your career goals and enthusiasm.

1. https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/156203/1044_Ley_Federal_del_Trabajo.pdf ↩︎