Formalities

Working in Spain as a Latin American: How to Showcase Your Previous Experience

Curiara Team
October 24, 2026

Moving to Spain to start a new chapter in your career can raise many questions: how to find a job, whether companies will value the experience gained in another country, or whether you need to have your academic credentials recognized. For many people who emigrate from Latin America, one of the biggest concerns is the feeling that everything they’ve built professionally up to that point loses its value.

But emigrating doesn't mean starting from scratch. Your career path, the knowledge you've acquired, and the skills you've developed continue to be part of your professional profile. The key is knowing how to explain them clearly and in a way that's relevant to the Spanish job market.

Can I work in Spain as a Latino?

It depends on your immigration status and the type of authorization you have. Your nationality, residence and work permits, and the conditions applicable to each case determine whether you can work legally in Spain.

Before you start your job search, it's a good idea to check the requirements that apply to you. You can find official information from the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration.

Once you've taken care of this part, the next step is to help companies understand what you have to offer. And to do that, your previous professional experience is an important starting point.

Tailor your resume to the Spanish job market

You don't need to hide the fact that you've worked in Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, or any other country. On the contrary, that experience can be a valuable part of your application. The important thing is to present it in a way that allows companies to quickly understand your responsibilities and skills.

Include the positions you've held, the companies and industries you've worked in, your main responsibilities, the tools you used, your education, and the results you've achieved. Whenever possible, provide specific details: the number of people you managed, the number of clients, projects you managed, or improvements you've made.

For example, instead of writing “I worked for five years at a sales company,” you can explain: “I managed a portfolio of 80 clients, handled sales follow-ups, and coordinated the sales process through to closing.” The second description makes it much clearer to identify your skills.

Translate your experience, not just your words

The same professional concept can be expressed differently depending on the country. Therefore, adapting your resume doesn't mean artificially changing your career path, but rather using terms that help others in Spain understand it.

Some everyday examples:

“Resume” and “CV”: If you use the first term in your country, you'll usually find “currículum” or “CV” in Spanish job postings.
“Apply for a job opening” and “submit an application”: Both expressions are understood, but the second one is commonly used in hiring processes in Spain.
“Cash Management”: If your job involved collecting payments, verifying receipts, and performing the daily closing, you can describe those duties as “cash management and closing,” as long as that accurately reflects your responsibilities.
“Sales Coordinator”: If you managed a sales team, tracked goals, and acquired customers, describe those responsibilities. Then, compare the Spanish job titles to identify which one best matches your role.

The best guide is the job postings themselves. Look for openings similar to the ones you're interested in, and pay attention to how companies describe the tasks, skills, and tools you already have. That way, you can tailor the language of your resume without claiming to have performed tasks you haven't actually done.

Turn your experience into specific skills

A job title doesn't always convey everything you're capable of doing. Think about the skills you've developed throughout your career: managing teams, negotiating with suppliers, serving customers, organizing projects, using software, or resolving issues.

For example, someone who has managed a restaurant can highlight their experience in team coordination, shift scheduling, inventory control, supplier management, and customer service. These skills may be relevant for a variety of positions, not just those in the hospitality industry.

On your resume, select the skills that best match each job posting and support them with real-life examples. If you land an interview, also prepare a brief explanation of your responsibilities and an achievement you’re particularly proud of.

Do I need to have my education credentials recognized to work in Spain?

Not always. It depends on your degree and the job you want to do. In Spain, there are regulated professions that require you to meet certain qualification requirements, while for other positions, recognition of a foreign degree is not necessary to qualify for the job.

In the case of foreign university degrees, it is important to distinguish between three procedures:

Certification: It allows for the recognition of a degree required to practice a regulated profession, provided the relevant requirements are met.
Declaration of Equivalence: It recognizes the academic level of the degree—such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree—for academic and administrative purposes. It does not, in and of itself, qualify the holder to practice a regulated profession.
Validation: It allows for the recognition of partial college coursework so that students can continue their education at a Spanish university.

These procedures are not interchangeable. Before beginning a process, check which one applies to your situation in the Official Valida-TE website of the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities.

If your profession requires a recognized degree to practice, find out as soon as possible about the requirements and the necessary documentation. If that is not the case, you can focus on clearly presenting your education and experience, without assuming that you must have your degree recognized to be eligible for any job.

How to Look for a Job Without Starting from Scratch

In addition to checking job boards, you can expand your opportunities through LinkedIn, recruitment firms, professional networks, industry associations, and unsolicited applications. The public portal SEPE Job Seeker It also allows you to view job listings.

Instead of sending the same resume to every company, tailor each application to highlight the experience and skills most relevant to the position. Research what skills are in demand in your industry and determine whether you need to update any software, obtain certification for a training program, or improve any specific skills.

It may also be the case that your first job in Spain doesn’t exactly match your previous profession. If you need to take a different position while you’re getting to know the job market or completing certain paperwork, you can view it as a transitional phase, without giving up on continuing to look for opportunities related to your career path.

Your experience counts in Spain, too

Not having work experience in Spain doesn’t mean you don’t have any work experience. To showcase your career path, explain what you can do, specify your responsibilities, highlight your achievements, and tailor your resume to the requirements of each job posting. If your profession is regulated, also check what academic or professional credentials you need.

Your career doesn't start over just because you've moved to a different country: everything you've learned can continue to serve you well in this new phase.

At Curiara We believe that moving doesn't mean starting from scratch. Your experience, your projects, and everything you've built are all part of the life you continue to build far from home.