Starting a job search in Barcelona can be an exciting opportunity. As an international and highly connected city, Barcelona offers a wide range of professional opportunities across different industries and languages. However, finding the right position also requires an understanding of the local job market and the expectations of employers and recruiters.
This Barcelona CV Checklist covers some of the key points to consider when preparing your CV for the Barcelona job market. From language skills and contact details to your LinkedIn profile and work permit, these practical tips can help you present your experience clearly and make your CV more relevant to local employers.
Barcelona CV Checklist
How should my CV look?
If you are applying for jobs in Barcelona, your CV should be clear, professional and easy to read. It should highlight your relevant experience, skills and language abilities without including unnecessary information.
The following checklist covers some of the most important points to review before sending your CV.
Is Your CV Written in English?
If you are applying for an English-speaking position, or a role where English is one of the required languages, it is generally best to submit your CV in English.
If the position requires both Spanish and English, it may also be useful to prepare a Spanish version of your CV, particularly if the job description or application process is in Spanish.
Before sending your CV, check the spelling and grammar carefully. Online proofreading and grammar-checking tools can be useful for identifying errors, but your CV should always receive a final manual review.
Does Your CV Include a Picture?
Including a professional photograph on your CV is common in Spain. A well-presented photo can help create a positive first impression, although the quality and professionalism of the image are important.
If you decide to include a picture, choose a recent, professional photograph with a simple background and appropriate clothing.
A few basic guidelines:
- Choose a professional-looking photograph.
- Dress appropriately for the type of role you are applying for.
- Use a natural and confident expression.
- Avoid photographs that look overly casual or unsuitable for a professional application.
Do You Mention Your Language Skills on Your CV?
Language skills can be particularly valuable in Barcelona, where many companies operate across international markets and use several languages in their day-to-day work.
Make your language skills easy to find on your CV. You can include them near the top of the document, particularly when a specific language is relevant to the position, or place them within a dedicated skills section.
For example, if you are German and are applying for an English-speaking position where German is an advantage, make sure your language abilities are clearly visible.
Example:
- German: Native
- English: Full professional proficiency
- Spanish: Fluent
Be specific about your level rather than simply listing the languages you speak.
Do You Provide Information Regarding Your Work Permit?
If you already have the right to work in Spain, mentioning this on your CV can make the recruitment process easier.
Depending on your situation, your CV may include relevant information about your work authorisation or NIE. This is not generally a mandatory part of a CV, but it can help recruiters understand your eligibility to work in Spain.
If you require sponsorship or additional authorisation, make sure your situation is communicated accurately when it is relevant to the position.
Is It Clear Where You Live or What Your Future Plans Are?
For employers in Barcelona, your current location and relocation plans can be relevant, particularly when a position requires employees to work from an office.
Consider making it clear whether you currently live in Barcelona, elsewhere in Spain or abroad. If you are planning to relocate, you can briefly mention your intended location or availability to move.
This can help recruiters understand your situation and avoid unnecessary uncertainty during the hiring process.
Barcelona CV Checklist: Contact Details
Make sure your CV contains accurate and up-to-date contact information.
At a minimum, include:
- Your full name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Current location or address, where appropriate
If you are using a phone number from outside Spain, include the international country code. This makes it easier for recruiters to contact you.
Barcelona CV Checklist: LinkedIn
A well-maintained LinkedIn profile can complement your CV and give recruiters additional information about your professional background.
Your LinkedIn profile can provide more detail about your previous experience, education, skills and professional network. Make sure the information on LinkedIn is consistent with the information on your CV.
It is also worth checking that your profile is up to date before you begin actively applying for jobs.
Did You Send Your CV to Multilingual Recruitment Agencies in Barcelona?
Multilingual recruitment agencies can be a useful resource when looking for work in Barcelona, particularly if you speak several languages or are applying for positions with international companies.
Relocating to another country can involve several practical challenges, and finding suitable employment is often one of the most important. Working with a recruitment agency can make the process more straightforward, particularly if you are starting your job search while still living outside Spain.
Barcelona has a number of recruitment agencies specialising in multilingual positions and international recruitment. These agencies can connect candidates with employers looking for specific language skills and professional experience.
Recruitment agencies also have knowledge of the local job market and access to networks of companies that are actively hiring. As a result, they may introduce you to positions that you would not otherwise find through standard job searches.
A recruitment agency can also provide useful guidance on local expectations around CVs, salaries, working hours and recruitment processes. Depending on your circumstances, some agencies may also be able to provide information about work authorisation and the documentation required to work in Spain.
For internationals and multilingual professionals, including your language skills, location, work authorisation and professional experience clearly on your CV can make it easier for recruiters to assess your profile and identify suitable opportunities.
Looking For A Recruitment Agency?
Looking for help on how to find a job in Barcelona? We are happy to help you to quick start your career in Barcelona, all free of charge. Please fill in this form and Babel Profiles will contact you as soon as they find relevant career opportunities for you!
How Can Barcelona Expat Life Help You Find a Job?
Finding the right job in Barcelona is not always about sending more CVs. Knowing where to look, which companies are hiring, how to approach recruiters and how to present your experience can make a significant difference.
Barcelona Expat Life offers several ways to make your job search more focused and practical.
Work in Barcelona! Job & Information Fair
Barcelona Expat Life hosts the Work in Barcelona! Job & Information Fair twice a year, bringing together job seekers, recruiters, companies and organisations supporting the international professional community.
Rather than relying solely on online applications, the fair gives you the opportunity to meet recruiters in person, introduce yourself, ask questions about current vacancies and find out what companies are looking for.
It is also an opportunity to make professional connections that may become useful later, even if there is not a suitable position available on the day.
BCN Career Explorer
our job search does not have to start with a job advertisement. In many cases, it can be more effective to identify companies you would like to work for and approach them directly.
The BCN Career Explorer helps you do exactly that. The interactive platform provides an overview of more than 200 companies hiring in Barcelona across sectors including technology, marketing, finance, life sciences, logistics and creative industries.
You can explore companies by sector and type, research potential employers and access their current vacancies. Each company profile includes information about the business, a link to its website and access to its available job opportunities.
Barcelona Expat Life Job Board
Find companies looking for talented multilinguals to fill their latest roles in a range of sectors on our platform, making it easier to navigate how to find a job in Barcelona.
Work in Barcelona! Guide
Finding a job in a new country can feel overwhelming – but you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Download our 67-page digital toolkit, created specifically for internationals who want to find work in Barcelona with more confidence and less guesswork.
- Creating a job search strategy that actually works
- Organising the paperwork you’ll need
- Writing a CV that matches Spanish recruitment practices
- Optimising your LinkedIn profile to attract recruiters
- Understanding Barcelona’s job market, salaries, and language expectations
- Networking effectively, finding internships, and exploring freelance opportunities
- Avoiding the most common mistakes international job seekers make
When you purchase the toolkit (€16,49 excl. VAT), you’ll also get access to our next live Job Search Webinar.
This is your chance to ask your questions, get practical advice, and learn directly from two experts who have helped many internationals successfully navigate the Barcelona job market.
Whether you’re just starting your job search or you’ve been applying for a while without success, this toolkit will help you spend less time searching for answers and more time moving towards the right opportunity in Barcelona.
Barcelona Career Kickstart Session
Looking for personalised advice? You can also book a 1:1 Barcelona Career Kickstart session, with our founder Mirjam, for practical guidance on your CV, LinkedIn profile, target companies and job-search strategy.
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