Tips for Translating Your Resume from English into Spanish

It is common knowledge. There are countless similar tips to the above and counting. What makes ours better? Step in and find out. We are flooding in content, swarmed with job searches, and stepped on by heartless recruiters. You need to state your uniqueness. You have to offer what is relevant to potential employers. You need to make yourself indispensable. But first, you need to believe in your value as a worker, a professional or a service provider. Own your awesomeness. And then offer that one-of-a-kindvalue to the world.  

Sailing in Sensible Waters

Do not jump blindly into job seeking. Accomplishing any goal demands self-knowledge. Brutal honesty with yourself is mandatory. You need to establish what you have to offer, before demanding anything in return.

Know Your Target Market:

Make sure to accomplish cultural relevance. Adapt your resume’s style to the specific countries where you are applying. Different Spanish-speaking countries, different expectations. Do not try to insert a square peg into a round hole. But remember to maintain personality, even inadaptation.

Be Clear and Concise:

Mimic straightforward English style. Avoid long and complex sentences. Simplify and share only relevant information.  

Translate Key Sections:

Less is more. Include personal Information, career goals, experience, education, skills, and other important competences that need noticing.

Use Specific Terminology as an Asset:

Respect and maintain industry-specific vocabulary in the translation. In a bilingual environment, the translation itself is a cover letter.

Tailor Your Resume for Each Application:

Research the job posting. Customize your resume as per the job description and the company's requirements. Explore relevant keywords and include them to showcase your suitability for the job.

Apply Visually Appealing Format:

You need professional format. Not dull, not generic, not “beige”. You need formatting that stresses your strengths. Ensure consistency throughout the document.

Proofread Thoroughly:

Proofread your resume carefully. Detect and correctany grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Although perfection does not exist, even minor mistakes can be discouraging to recruiters.

Quantify Achievements:

What cannot be measured, does not exist. When possible, quantify your achievement in numbers or percentages. Make sure your figures are true and accurate.

Include Relevant Training and Certifications. Quite self-explanatory?

Use Action Verbs:

Action verbs make your resume more visible to potential employers. They need to visualize your offer, and believe in it.  

Avoid Literal Translations:

Literal translations kill language flow. They are the stagnant result of poor writing. You need to have a “live” translated resume that conveys as much as the original one.

Get Feedback:

After translating your resume, seek feedback from native Spanish speakers. Their insights will prove valuable. They can help you confirm whether your resume is easy to understand and effective. Consider them your beta testers.  

In order to believe in yourself, first you need to be prepared. Build your self-confidence with training, hard work, and willingness to learn from each experience in life. Consider each day a learning opportunity. Besides formal education and professional background, your personal baggage can add to your value as an employee.

Accept challenges and face them head on. When possible, generate your own challenges. Growth can take many forms, even when you least expect it. In an ever changing world, you surely have a few extra talents that might prove useful.

Never take yourself for granted. Do not let rejections discourage you. Know that your value as a professional does not depend on external opinions.

No one can replace you. You make your own mark in the world. Make sure that mark is positive, kind, and relatable.

Repeat to yourself like a mantra: “I own my awesomeness. And I will offer my unique value to the world”. The rest is an anecdote. And each try is just another step towards the fulfilment of your mission.

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