In this section you will find help and tips such as looking for a job in Spain, how to write a CV in Spanish and samples, how to write a cover letter and how to prepare a job interview... At the bottom of the page you will find a link to the best websites with info and offers in Spain.
Good luck and if you have any queries or info that you would like to share please go to our Forum in the Community TipsSpain Section. Also you can create an adverstisment to find a job or to look for new people for your company.
Approximately 25% of job vacancies in Spain are openly publicised in the printed and online press; the other 75% rely on word of mouth and internal promotion
Speculative applications are widely used in Spain, so you should have no hesitation in sending your CV and a covering letter (Carta de Presentación) to any prospective employer. Either before or after writing to them (probably depending on whether you already have all the information you need), you may also want to call the company and ask to speak to Human Resources or the person responsible for recruitment.
Remember that it is best to approach your job search in a systematic and methodical way. Avoid sending applications indiscriminately to a multitude of companies. This will not produce the desired results as companies receive far too many of such applications.
Networking is another important way of getting a job in Spain, so mention your job hunting to people who may be able to help, such as colleagues, relatives, etc.
With unemployment at 8-9% in Spain, there is high competition for jobs. Many Spanish people find looking for work a frustrating and difficult task. A typical job search could easily last up to 6 months.
Construction is the sector experiencing the strongest growth, with 11% of the total employment opportunities. Consulting follows with over 5%. Other sectors, such as information technology, telecommunications and the internet, account for 7% of vacancies.
Areas remaining largely unchanged in employment growth are the energy and water industries, iron and steel, finance, paper and printing, insurance, transport and health.
Average salaries for workers range from €12,000-€18,000/year. While a salary of €30,000-€35,000 a year is subsistence level in cities like London, it would be well considered in Spain. If you come from Northern Europe or North America, be prepared for serious salary shock.
People normally discuss salaries as a monthly figure. This makes things complicated as the majority of companies compensate their employees on a yearly 14-payment system. This system means the normal monthly salary is doubled twice a year (by what are called extras) usually before summer and Christmas.