Job Discussion Forums

MO39 · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 10:47 pm Post subject: Revising my CV for jobs in Spain

I'm in the process of getting things ready for my January 19th departure for Spain. My CV is in pretty good shape, but I could use advice from those of you who already sent yours around while looking for work in Madrid. This is what mine already includes:

My name
Contact information in Spain: address, telephone, e-mail
Work history
Education
Awards and grants
Languages
References

What else would it be a good idea to include?

Many thanks,

Marsha

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

How long is your resum�? I usually try to keep mine pared down to a single page, with a line at the bottom to indicate more information is available if requested. Quite honestly, I don't feel that there is much need to list irrelevant work experience all the way back to my first job at 14. The past ten-fifteen years is usually sufficient. I also cut out education pre-university to help make the thing more succinct.
I also usually say "references available upon request," rather than writing all of them out, though this may not be universal.

Quite honestly, a picture is often included on CVs in Europe, though it's certainly not mandatory. But if you're not entirely averse to including one, potential employers can get a lot of useful info about you from a photo - does she look professional/responsible/pleasant/like someone whom we would like to have representing our school to our clients?

I realize that many North Americans think it's discriminatory to include/ask for a photo, but it's different in Europe, and a good photo can give your CV a bit of an edge over one without.

I also put my marital status on CVs for Europe - it's again not considered discriminatory here.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Sorry, I sent too soon. I would also include my age and nationality. If a school isn't going to work with you because you are not an EU member citizen, it's better to have that up front.

Moore · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 730 Location: Madrid

You might also want to include your teaching hours availability and what zones of Madrid you're looking for work in too.

MO39 · Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 7:00 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the help, guys. At my age, it would be difficult to whittle down my professional life to one page, though leaving off jobs from the distant past is a good idea. I'll add my age and nationality and marital status. I don't have a photo of myself on-line, so schools will have to take a chance on calling me for an interview, sight unseen!

MO