The job interview in Spain

Read about the company, its values, products and news, and review the job advert and your CV to link what they ask with what you offer.

• Prepare examples of your achievements in the situation, task, action and result way.
• Practise your answers aloud in Spanish.
• Know the route and allow for traffic, arrive ten minutes before the appointment, and if you are late call at once.
• In online interviews test the camera and sound in advance and choose a quiet place.
• Bring copies of your CV, certificates, ID and your list of questions.
• And know that some interviews include skills or language tests or group dynamics (dinámica de grupo), so prepare for them.

Shake hands firmly with a smile and eye contact and say your name.

• Spaniards embrace or kiss on the cheeks (dos besos) in social meetings, but in a formal interview a handshake is enough, and if the interviewer initiates two kisses you can respond or gently settle for a handshake.
• Dress is clean and tidy, formal for banks, offices and law, and practical for trades, hospitality and retail.
• Speak with enthusiasm and warmth but without exaggeration, and watch your voice level.
• Spaniards value confidence and personal charm.
• And if you do not shake hands for religious reasons say so kindly with a verbal greeting.

You will be asked about yourself, your experience, why the job and company interest you, your strengths and weaknesses, a difficult situation you solved, working in a team, disagreement with a colleague, where you see yourself in five years, and why you left your previous job.

• Answer with real examples, briefly and positively.
• Avoid criticising the previous employer.
• And do not be afraid to mention a real non-essential weakness and how you are working on it. And show your enthusiasm and ability to adapt and learn, which is valued especially for someone from another country.
• If your Spanish is limited say so clearly and show you are learning hard, and the interview may be held in English if the job is international.

Salary is usually stated as gross annual (bruto anual) and not monthly, and paid in 12 or 14 instalments (pagas) depending on the contract: 14 instalments include two extra payments (extras) in June and December.

• Ask about the number of payments and whether they are included in the figure.
• And check the collective agreement (convenio) that sets the minimum for each category, and that the salary is not below the officially announced minimum wage (SMI).
• Ask about leave (at least 30 calendar days), working hours and any benefits (private insurance, meal allowance and training).
• Prepare a reasonable figure after research and a range and not a single figure.
• And discuss salary usually after they show their interest.

At the end of the interview ask about daily tasks, the team, training, development opportunities and when you will hear the decision, since questions show your interest.

• Send a short thank-you message the same day.
• The company may request a second interview, a test or an interview with the direct manager.
• On an offer ask for a written contract and read it carefully: its type, duration, probation period, salary, collective agreement and hours.
• You may negotiate politely on salary, leave and working hours, but objectively.
• And do not start work without a contract and registration with social security.
• If you are turned down ask for feedback and stay courteous, since the company may come back to you or recommend you.

How is salary usually stated?