How do you write an impactful resume in Spanish

It is estimated that approximately 42.5 million people in the United States speak Spanish as their first language. This represents 13.4% of the country’s total population and the world’s second-largest population of Spanish speakers after Mexico. Spanish-speaking employees are required to cater to this segment of the market.

In this article, we will provide you with some tips for writing an impactful resume in Spanish that will land you a job in any situation.

How to write a resume in Spanish?

There are several benefits of learning Spanish, and massive employment opportunities are one of them. When it comes to writing the perfect resume in Spanish, the same general principles apply as they do in English. This is because recruiters, regardless of industry or country, deal with hundreds to thousands of resumes daily and can only devote seconds to each one. To draw attention to your document, it should be:

Brief: This means that even if you are an experienced professional, your document should be no more than one or two pages long.

Relevant: Include only information that is relevant to the job posting. For example, if you want to work in bilingual customer service and already have some experience, you can safely skip your waiter experience in college.

Simple to read: The largest companies use Applicant Tracking Systems, computer software programs that perform candidate screening. That is why it is critical that your resume in Spanish be readable by both humans and machines. To guide the reader through your resume, use sections, spacing, bullet points, and bold text wisely.

Additionally, you must be aware of major cultural differences while writing a resume in Spanish, as it can really make a difference in recruiters’ eyes.

Some major cultural differences

Resume vs. CV

While it is “resume” in the United States, the term “CV,” short for “curriculum vitae,” is commonly used in other regions of the world. Moreover, there are national variations, such as in Colombia, the same document is known as a “hoja de vida.”

Even the format in which you save your resume in Spanish (PDF vs Word) can influence whether or not a recruiter opens your document. To avoid this problem, constantly research the country you are applying to.

Incorporating a picture

While US recruiters often reject resumes with photos to avoid discrimination or bias, resumes with photos are sometimes expected in other cultures. When applicable, a professional passport-sized photograph on the front page of your resume can help you advance in your Spanish-speaking job search.

Select the right verb

In most Spanish-speaking cultures, your resume must be written in the first person (without the pronoun “yo”), in the past tense for previous experience, and the present tense for current roles. However, in some Latin American countries, the third person is used for specific occupations. Always double-check to see if this applies to your situation.

Additionally, learn some basic Spanish words to incorporate the right words in your document. Make sure that the details you incorporate are in line with the job position you are seeking.

Section to include when writing a resume in Spanish  

Personal Details

If you’re looking for work in another country, remember that recruiters may be more interested in your profile if you already have a local phone number and address. At the end of your resume, include a declaration of your valid documents, such as visas or a driver’s license. Although they are not required if you apply for a local job, they will increase your chances of being selected abroad.

Professional Summary

This section is not usually required in Spanish-speaking countries; if it is, it is usually only a sentence or two long. Simply include valuable metrics about your years in the industry, best accomplishments, and future goals.

Skills

Are you looking for a bilingual Spanish job? Put this section just below your personal statement to showcase your entire skill set, including your ability to speak another language. List your skills and how you acquired each one, but prioritize your Spanish and English levels to attract attention.

Experience

The experience section of your resume in Spanish is critical. Follow a reverse chronological order, and if you had a lot of short experiences at the start of your career, skip them in favor of longer ones. Short experiences can make you appear unreliable to foreign recruiters.

As with the rest of your resume, try to list your achievements rather than the simple tasks you completed by describing them with active verbs and plenty of numbers and percentages. To make the paragraph easier to read, use bullet points.

Education

It is critical to use reverse chronological order in the education section of your resume for a Spanish-speaking company. In addition, you should translate the title of your college major. If your highest qualification is a high school diploma, calculate the GPA equivalent in the country you are applying to.

These are some of the major sections to consider while writing a resume in Spanish. Follow our tips to make your resume look powerful and engaging. Lastly, it is quite important to proofread your resume before hitting the ‘send’ button.

Proofread your resume before sending

Before submitting your resume in Spanish, make sure you proofread it to ensure there are no typos or simple errors and that your accent marks are correct. You should also double-check the dates on your resume because the DD/MM/YYYY format is used in Spanish-speaking countries. It is also a good idea to have a native speaker review your resume as a final check.

If you are applying for a job in Spain or any Spanish-speaking language, knowing some Spanish conversations for beginners is necessary. Knowing Spanish increases your chances of aligning well in a new culture and work environment.

Are you seeking an engaging and effective online language-learning platform to master Spanish? italki is here to help you in this regard.

Master Spanish language with italki

This platform has made Spanish language learning relatively easy with the availability of highly experienced and professional Spanish tutors offering their services online. This platform is one-of-its-kind as it provides great liberty to both learners and instructors to regulate the learning process.

Tutors with extensive experience: This platform has a long list of qualified and experienced Spanish tutors who offer online Spanish lessons. You can discuss your objectives and goals with your preferred tutor. Finding an online Spanish tutor only takes a few clicks on italki. You can find a list of tutors on the website and select the one that best meets your needs.

Flexibility in learning schedule: You can create a schedule that does not interfere with your daily routine. To achieve your goals, consult with your tutor, create a learning schedule, and stick to it.

Personalized lesson plans: You can design lesson plans that are specifically tailored to your learning objectives and goals. Following the learning style and pattern that works best for you is essential for quickly learning a new language.

The enrollment process at italki

• Visit italki
• Generate your profile
• Fill in all of the required information
• Navigate to the ‘Find a Teacher’ section
• Use the filter to find a Spanish teacher
• Check the reviews provided by previous learners
• Select the teacher who best meets your needs
• Schedule a trial lesson at a discounted rate to evaluate the learning method.
• Follow the tutor’s instructions

Frequently asked questions

Is it necessary to include a photo in Spanish on the resume?

In many cases, including a photo on the resume in Spanish is expected. It’s common to attach a passport-sized photo in the upper right corner.

How do I write the professional objective on a resume in Spanish?

The professional objective should be clear and concise, highlighting your goals and professional aspirations. Avoid clichés and be specific about what you are seeking.

How do I describe my work experience on a resume in Spanish?

Describe your work experience in detail, including responsibilities, achievements, and dates of employment. Use action verbs to highlight your contributions.

Should I include references on my resume in Spanish?

It is not necessary to include references on the resume. You can mention “References available upon request” at the end, but references are provided separately if requested.

Conclusion

In this guide, we highlighted all the tips and tricks to write an impactful resume in Spanish. Additionally, you can use several Spanish learning videos to expand your desired vocabulary.

Explore italki to find the best Spanish tutor (native speaker) and embark on the journey of mastering this incredible language, opening doors to massive opportunities.