Maybe you haven’t heard but the worldwide economy isn’t doing too well. Spain hasn’t been saved from the crisis either.
Unemployment is high, but that does not mean that there aren’t jobs out there, it just means that you have to look a little harder and probably for a lot longer than before.
Don’t despair, this guide will help make the job process a little easier whether you’re just starting out or you’re a veteran in the job market looking for a change.
Getting started: Writing a good CV
Writing a CV in Spanish is by no means an easy task, especially if you’re not a native speaker. While some companies do accept CVs in English, submitting one in Spanish makes a much better impression. The format is also a little different from those in the US and even other parts of the EU. Here are some basic tips for creating a good CV in Spanish.
Personal information (Datos Personales): Spanish CVs may seem a little more intrusive than others. Along with the basic information such as name, address (including email) telephone number, date of birth, and nationality, Spanish CVs require a picture and in some cases your marital status and DNI (National ID) number.
Education (Formación Académica): State all of the educational institutions you attended in reverse order starting with the most recent (Add dates in which you attended each institution). Be sure to add any awards you’ve won or special projects you worked on. You can also add your grades if they work to your advantage.
Employment History (Experiencia Profesional): List the companies and dates for which you have been working, including location, specialisation, job title, tasks, duties and responsibilities
Languages: State the languages you speak and the level which you speak and write it. Don’t lie because that’s one of the easiest to spot, especially if you amplify your knowledge of Spanish, because interviews are most likely to be conducted in Spanish.
Computer Skills (Informática): This is a very important aspect to the Spanish CV. Talk about your computer proficiency by noting any special software which you’re familiar with such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Photoshop or Dreamweaver.
Interests & Achievements: Include any special information that you might have left out earlier in this section. Here you can also add personal goals or additional awards which might have been won (relevant to the job being sought of course).
Some additional tips:
Keep it short- Most CVs are read by very busy businessmen, keep it short and to the point. Try to keep it under three pages.
Have it proofread: Possibly the most important piece of advice in this whole section. If you’re not a native Spanish speaker, make sure that your work is proofread by one or someone extremely close. Your CV is the ultimate first impression and you have to make a good one.
Where to Look
Thanks to the internet, searching for a job is a lot easier than it used to be. More and more companies are turning to the internet to publicise their employment vacancies.
If you’re looking for something more specific, check out the company’s website. Usually there is a section on where to send your CV. Companies usually advertise their vacancies on their websites under ‘recursos humanos’ (human resources), ‘empleo’ (employment) or under ‘trabaja para nosotros’ (‘work for us’).
Several recruitment websites allow you to upload your CV and then have email alerts sent to you when something matches your specifications.
Try www.infojobs.net/ or www.loquo.com/ or www.iagora.com/ or http://jobs.expatica.com/ to start you off.
Sometimes it’s good to go old school and check out the classified section of the newspapers. The Newspaper El Pais, one of the leading newspapers in Spain has an extensive selection of classifieds.
Typically companies looking for native or fluent English speakers will place their ads in English. Also look out for English print magazines that have ads requesting English speakers for a wide variety of jobs. Two such magazines in Madrid are InMadrid and European Vibe Magazine.
Networking
Networking is very useful when looking for work. If you have friends or family in Spain, it is a good idea to mention that you are looking for work since many vacancies are filled by means of this type of contact and reference. It can also be worthwhile participating in professional online forums.
Public employment services
If you speak Spanish well enough, you may want to try the Spanish Public State Employment Service (Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal) (SPEE) and the employment services run by the Autonomous Communities that have a nationwide network of employment offices. To register you must be over 16, have a valid identity document or passport, and have an address. A file containing your personal and professional details will be opened; you may be asked for proof of these data (certificates, work contracts, etc.) before it is included in the file.
Addresses of Employment Offices can be found in the telephone directory or on the SPEE website, which has links to all the public employment services run by the Autonomous Communities. Most of these websites provide information on job vacancies, training courses and guides to job-seeking.
Normal procedure of applying for a job in Spain
The waiting game can be one of the most difficult parts in applying for a job. On average, companies will get back to you within 2-3 weeks after sending out your CV, depending on how much applications they receive. Many employers appreciate a call to ensure receipt of your CV as it shows that you are really interested in the position.
Do dress professionally for the interview; business suits for both men and women. Very often, the interviewer will tell you when you should expect to know the outcome. If not, don’t be afraid to ask respectfully. If you haven’t heard from them by the stipulated date, a call to confirm or a reminder email is appropriate.
Teaching English
One of the most popular jobs for English speakers is to teach English. This is mainly because it’s an easy way to make money. (Many English teachers are usually working illegally since they may be in Spain on a tourist or student visa)
If teaching English is what you’re looking for, there are several ways to find these jobs.
Agencies
Several agencies are set up to be the intermediary between English teachers and perspective students. As a teacher, applying through one of these agencies is a less painstaking way to find students. Agencies may also require you have some sort of qualifications such as an education degree or at least one year’s teaching experience.
One agency is the British Council (www.britishcouncil.org/spain) which has centres in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao, Palma and Segovia. Check out also the Wall Street Institute School of English www.wallstreetinstitute.com/.
Private Jobs
Another possibility is to teach English privately to children or adults at home. This is the preferred methods of university students looking for a little extra cash in their pockets. Typically finding this type of job is done through word of mouth or advertisements posted in university billboards or on signs on the street. The best method is usually through word of mouth.
Depending on the age of the child, most parents may prefer girls to teach because younger children may require certain babysitting duties, like picking the child up from school. Parents will usually be quite explicit about what they’re looking for.
Kejan Haynes / Expatica
This article was updated in May 2010
Text size
Looking for a job just got harder with the global recession. Here’s a guide to make things a tad easier.
Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook
Flickr
0
