How to prepare for a job interview in Spain
Landing an interview in Spain is an exciting step. Whether you are a student finishing your studies, an international graduate looking to stay on after your degree, or someone relocating for work, the Spanish job market has its own rhythms and expectations. Knowing what they are before you sit down across from a hiring manager can make a real difference.
Here is what you need to know.
Understand the Culture Before You Walk In
Spain has a relationship-driven business culture. Who you know matters, how you come across matters, and the impression you make as a person carries weight alongside your qualifications. Interviews here tend to feel more conversational than in some Northern European or Anglo-American contexts. Do not mistake that for informality. The interviewer is assessing you just as carefully; they are simply doing it differently.
Punctuality is expected, but do not be surprised if the interviewer is a few minutes late themselves. Arriving on time shows professionalism. Arriving flustered shows the opposite.
If your interview is in a larger international company, it may be conducted in English. If it is with a local Spanish employer, expect Spanish throughout, and if your Spanish is still developing, be honest about it. Showing willingness to learn is viewed far more positively than trying to bluff your way through.
Research the Company Thoroughly
This sounds obvious, but in Spain it carries particular weight. Interviewers often open with broad questions about the company and its direction, and a well-informed answer signals genuine interest rather than a scattergun application approach.
Look beyond the company website. Find recent news coverage, check their LinkedIn activity, and if the company is based in Barcelona or another major city, look into how they sit within their sector locally. If you know anyone who has worked there or partnered with them, a quick conversation can give you context that no website will.
Come prepared to talk about why this specific company interests you. Vague enthusiasm does not land well. Specific reasons do.
Prepare Your CV and Supporting Documents
In Spain, a CV is typically one to two pages long and should be clean and well laid out. A professional photo is still commonly included on Spanish CVs, which may feel unusual if you are coming from the UK or the US, but it is widely expected here.
If you have studied or worked internationally, make sure your qualifications are clearly explained. Spanish employers may not be familiar with the grading systems or institution names from your home country, so a brief line of context alongside each entry helps.
For roles in international companies or in sectors like tech, marketing, or finance, an English-language CV is often perfectly acceptable or even preferred. When in doubt, prepare both.
Know What Questions to Expect
Spanish interviews tend to follow a fairly consistent structure. You will almost certainly be asked to walk through your background, explain why you are interested in this role, and describe your strengths and weaknesses. Beyond the standard questions, be ready for scenario-based questions that ask how you would handle a specific situation, and questions about your longer-term career plans.
A few things to prepare specifically:
Your story in two minutes. Have a clear, confident answer to “Tell me about yourself” that covers your background, what you have done, and where you are headed. Keep it focused and relevant to the role.
Why Spain, and why now. If you are an international candidate, you will almost certainly be asked what has brought you here and whether you are planning to stay. Have a genuine answer ready.
Salary expectations. This comes up earlier in Spanish interviews than you might expect. Research typical salary ranges for the role beforehand so you are not caught off guard. Sites like Glassdoor, InfoJobs, and LinkedIn Salary can give you a useful benchmark.
Think About Presentation
Spain is a country where appearance is taken seriously in professional settings. Dress smartly for your interview, erring on the side of formal unless you have specific reason to believe the company culture is casual. In Barcelona especially, where many international startups and creative agencies are based, the dress code varies considerably by sector, but it is always safer to be slightly overdressed than underdressed.
Keep it clean, polished and appropriate. First impressions carry real weight.
During the Interview
Listen carefully and take a moment to think before answering if you need to. Spanish interviewers appreciate considered responses over rushed ones. Do not be afraid of a brief pause.
Show warmth and personality. Interviews in Spain are not purely transactional. The interviewer wants to get a sense of who you are and whether you will fit within the team. Being professional does not mean being stiff.
Ask good questions. Towards the end of the interview, you will almost always be invited to ask your own questions. Come prepared with two or three that show you have thought seriously about the role. Questions about team culture, what success looks like in the position, and the company’s direction all go down well. Avoid asking about holidays or salary at this stage unless the interviewer raises it first.
Following Up
Sending a brief thank-you email after your interview is not as universally expected in Spain as it is in the UK or US, but it is never a negative. A short, professional note sent within 24 hours that references something specific from the conversation shows attention and genuine interest. Keep it brief and do not use it to pitch yourself again. A simple acknowledgement of the conversation and a reiteration of your interest is enough.
A Note for International Students in Barcelona
If you have studied in Barcelona and are looking to stay on and work, you are already ahead in one important respect: you understand the city, you have a network here, and you have demonstrated the kind of initiative that Spanish employers respect. Use that. Reference your time studying and living here as evidence of your commitment and adaptability.
ESEI alumni have gone on to build careers across Barcelona and beyond, often drawing directly on the international networks and practical experience they built during their studies. Whether you are looking for your first role after a short course or exploring opportunities after a master’s, the skills you have developed here are genuinely relevant in the Spanish job market.
Explore ESEI’s Programmes
👉 If you’re considering starting your own journey in Barcelona, explore ESEI’s Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes and see how we can support you on your study abroad journey.
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