Job Interviews in Spanish (Entrevista de Trabajo)

You've landed an interview at a company in Madrid, Mexico City, or Bogota. The stakes are high, and you need to make a great impression - in Spanish. Job interviews are one of the most demanding language situations because they require precision, formality, and confidence. The good news? Most interviews follow a predictable pattern, and once you know the key phrases, you'll feel prepared.

The Interview Structure

The entire interview will use the usted form unless the interviewer explicitly switches to tú (which happens more often in startups and creative industries). Always start with usted and wait for them to suggest tutear (using tú).

1. CV / Resume Vocabulary

In Spain, a CV is called el currículum (vitae) or simply el CV. In Latin America, you'll also hear la hoja de vida (Colombia, Ecuador, Central America). Here's the essential vocabulary for your professional documents.

2. Common Interview Questions

These are the questions you're most likely to hear. Prepare answers for each one before the interview. All questions use the usted form.

3. Talking About Experience

When discussing your work history, you'll mainly use the preterite (completed actions) and imperfect (ongoing responsibilities). Here are the key structures.

4. Skills and Qualifications

Talking about what you can do is central to any interview. Here's how to describe both hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (personal qualities).

5. Salary and Conditions

Discussing money requires tact and the right vocabulary. Here's how to navigate salary conversations professionally.

6. Formal Register - Speaking Professionally

A job interview demands formal language throughout. Here are the key patterns that distinguish formal professional Spanish from everyday conversation.

7. Follow-Up After the Interview

Sending a follow-up email shows professionalism. Here's a template you can adapt.