How to Write a CV as an International Student in Spain

If you have studied or lived abroad, you already know that a CV is not a universal document. What works in the United States, Australia or Brazil does not necessarily translate to what employers in Spain and Europe expect to see. Getting the format and content right for your target market is one of the most practical things you can do to improve your chances of being called for an interview.

Here is what you need to know as an international student preparing to enter the Spanish or European job market.

Length and Format

In Spain and across most of Europe, a CV should be one to two pages long. If you are a recent graduate or early in your career, one page is ideal. If you have several years of relevant experience, two pages is acceptable. Anything longer is likely to work against you.

The layout should be clean and easy to read. Use a simple single-column format with clear section headings. Avoid decorative graphics, unusual fonts or complex visual designs unless you are applying for a role in a creative field where that kind of presentation is expected. For most professional roles in Spain, clarity and professionalism are the priorities.

Save your CV as a PDF unless the employer specifically requests a Word document. A PDF ensures your formatting stays intact regardless of the device or software the recruiter is using to open it.

Should You Include a Photo?

In Spain, it is still common and widely expected to include a professional headshot on your CV. This may feel unusual if you are from the UK, US or countries where photos are discouraged on CVs to avoid bias. In the Spanish job market, however, not including one can make your application look incomplete.

If you do include a photo, use a recent, professional-quality headshot with a neutral or plain background. A casual or cropped social photo is not appropriate.

Personal Information

At the top of your CV, include your full name, phone number, email address, your LinkedIn profile URL, and your location. You do not need to include your full home address, but listing the city where you are based is helpful for employers assessing your availability.

If you are on a student visa or will need sponsorship to work in Spain, some candidates choose to note their visa status briefly. This is not always necessary but can save time if you know the employer is likely to ask.

The Profile or Personal Statement

Including a short professional profile at the top of your CV, two to four sentences summarising who you are, what you bring and what you are looking for, is standard practice in Spain. This section should be tailored to each role and written in the third person or first person, depending on your preference.

Avoid vague phrases like “highly motivated team player with excellent communication skills.” Instead, be specific about your background, your strengths and your professional direction. If you are an international student, this is a good place to briefly acknowledge your international profile and language skills as genuine differentiators.

Work Experience

List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. For each position, include the job title, company name, location, dates of employment, and two to four bullet points describing what you actually did and what you achieved.

Focus on outcomes where possible. Rather than listing responsibilities, describe what you contributed and what resulted from your work. Quantify your achievements wherever you can. This approach is far more compelling to employers and, as Muhammad Khasham Aslam, Talent Acquisition specialist and current International MBA student at ESEI, put it: “Numbers beat adjectives every time. Data is the universal language of impact.”

If your work experience is limited, include internships, volunteer work, freelance projects and academic projects. ESEI’s project-based learning model means students graduate with real professional projects completed for real companies, which absolutely counts as experience and should be presented as such.

Education

List your academic qualifications in reverse chronological order. Include the name of the institution, the degree or qualification title, the country where you studied, and the years attended. If you are a recent graduate, you can include your final grade or classification if it is strong.

For international students, it helps to briefly contextualise your qualification if it may not be familiar to Spanish employers. A short note such as “equivalent to a Spanish Licenciatura” or “accredited within the European Higher Education Area” helps recruiters understand the level and standing of your degree. ESEI’s programmes are accredited and aligned with the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), which means they are formally recognised across Europe.

Language Skills

Language skills deserve their own section on a CV in Spain. List every language you speak and include an honest assessment of your level, using the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) levels where possible: A1/A2 for beginner, B1/B2 for intermediate, C1/C2 for advanced.

Spanish is an obvious advantage in the Spanish job market, even at a basic level. English fluency is expected at most international companies. Any additional languages are a genuine differentiator, particularly for roles with international client exposure.

Skills

Include a short skills section covering relevant technical and digital skills. For most business roles, this might include tools such as Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, CRM platforms, social media management tools, data analytics software, or specific industry platforms. Keep this section focused and relevant to the role you are applying for rather than listing everything you have ever used.

For a deeper look at which skills employers are most looking for right now, take a look at ESEI’s guide to the top skills to include on your CV.

Tailor Every Application

A generic CV sent to multiple employers will consistently underperform against a tailored one. Read each job description carefully, identify the keywords and competencies the employer is looking for, and adjust your CV to reflect them. This applies to both the language you use in your bullet points and the skills you choose to highlight.

If you want to go further, our guide on how to get your CV past an ATS system explains how to optimise your CV for the automated screening tools most large employers now use.

Get Support Before You Apply

ESEI’s career services team supports students with CV reviews, job search strategy and interview preparation. If you are preparing to enter the job market in Barcelona, getting your CV reviewed by someone with direct knowledge of what Spanish employers expect is one of the most practical steps you can take before you start applying.