Job Interview In Spanish: Vocabulary, Expressions and Questions To Know

Niall QuinnNiall Quinn in Vocabulary
A businessperson jumping from one mountain peak to another, with the word 'JOB' prominently displayed on the second peak, during a sunset. This image symbolizes the pursuit of success in a job interview in Spanish.

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At BaseLang, we have helped thousands of students learn Spanish for various reasons, be it traveling South America, dating a native Spanish speaker, or even, preparing for job interviews in Spanish.


So whether you wish to land that dream job in a Spanish speaking country, or stand out as a bilingual applicant and add Spanish to your resume, it’s important to know some essential Spanish vocabulary and expressions that you can expect to hear in a typical job interview in Spanish.

Let’s dive in.

1. Salary – Sueldo, Salario

Close-up of several one dollar bills stacked together, showing the intricate design and details of the U.S. currency, including the text 'In God We Trust' and the emblem of the Great Seal.

  • It’s possible that I get a pay rise next year – Es posible que obtenga un aumento de sueldo el año que viene

2. Company – Compañía

A modern conference room with a long wooden table and ergonomic chairs arranged around it. Large windows provide natural light and a view of the outside, with a projector mounted on the ceiling. This setting is suitable for a job interview in Spanish.

  • Luís works for a very important company in Uruguay – Luís trabaja para una compañía muy importante en Uruguay

3. Schedule – Horario

Close-up view of a calendar page highlighting the dates 10 to 12, with German names for the days of the week in a grid format. This calendar might be useful for planning, including a job interview in Spanish.

  • She didn’t like her old schedule, since she worked 24/7 – A ella no le gustaba su antiguo horario porque trabajaba todos los días de la semana

4. Working Hours – Horas Laborales, Jornada Laboral

A black alarm clock showing the time at 10:10 placed next to a laptop on a desk. A notebook and a metal pen holder with writing utensils are also visible. The background features soft lighting, indicating a cozy workspace.

  • Camila and her husband have a 40 hour schedule – Camila y su esposo tienen una jornada laboral de 40 horas

5. Resume, CV – Curriculum, Hoja de Vida

Two resumes displayed side by side. The first is for Arnold Schwarzenegger, outlining his experience and skills. The second is for James Bond, detailing his background in intelligence and security. Both resumes contain sections for experience, education, and skills.

  • You should print your resume beforehand  – Deberías imprimir tu currículum con anticipación

6. Job Interview – Entrevista de Trabajo

Two abstract figures engaged in a job interview, seated across from each other in chairs, with an outline style. This image can be associated with various topics, including "Job Interview In Spanish."

  • Getting ready before a job interview is a must – Prepararse antes de una entrevista de trabajo es un deber

7. Employment Contract – Contrato de Trabajo

A hand holding a pencil, signing a document with the word 'SIGNATURE' clearly visible above. The background features text on the document, suggesting formal or legal context, possibly related to a Job Interview In Spanish.

  • My employment contract will last 6 months at least – Mi contrato de trabajo durará seis meses al menos

8. To Hire – Contratar

A large hand reaching down to select a green-suited figure from a line of four silhouetted men in dark suits. This image symbolizes job selection or recruitment, relevant to the topic of a job interview in Spanish.

  • The National Bank is going to hire 2 accountants – El Banco Nacional va a contratar 2 contadores

9. Personal References – Referencia personal

A black fountain pen resting on a document with printed text, partially visible on a dark background, suggesting preparation for a job interview in Spanish.

  • She needs a photo and a reference for the new job – Necesita 1 foto y 1 referencia personal para el empleo nuevo

10. Degree – Título, Licenciatura

Two graduates in black caps and gowns embrace warmly during a graduation ceremony, with a podium visible in the background. The atmosphere conveys a sense of accomplishment and celebration.

  • My sister Alicia will have finished her degree in Economics by the end of the year – Mi hermana Alicia habrá terminado a finales de año su licenciatura en Economía

11. Boss – Jefe, Jefa

A businessman in a suit sitting at a desk with a laptop, gesturing with one hand. A glass of water and printed documents are on the desk, emphasizing a professional setting suitable for a job interview in Spanish.

  • What is your boss’ name? Because I can remember it – ¿Cúal es el nombre de tu jefe? Porque no puedo recordarlo

12. Job Offer – Anuncio de Empleo, Oferta de Trabajo

A hand holding a sign that reads "We're Hiring" in front of a blurred background showing a group of people in a meeting. This image relates to a job interview in Spanish and highlights recruitment.

  • Gabriela has just seen an interesting job offer in the newspaper – Gabriela acaba de ver en el periódico una interesante oferta de trabajo

13. Job Description – Descripción del Empleo

Silhouettes of two individuals standing in front of a wall filled with job titles in various fields, including healthcare, management, and technology, expressing the theme of "Job Interview In Spanish."

  • Would you mind reading the job description? I’m really interested in the job – ¿Te importaría leer la descripción del empleo? Estoy muy interesado en el trabajo

14. Skills Test – Prueba Psicotécnica

A person wearing a blue shirt writing with a pen on a stack of white papers on a wooden table, suggesting a job interview or professional setting. Job Interview In Spanish.

  • Skills tests always have trick questions – Las pruebas psicotécnicas siempre tienen preguntas capciosas

15. Trial Period –  Período de Prueba

A person's hand with a pen marking a date on a printed calendar placed on a wooden table. The calendar displays days of the week along with numbered dates.

  • The trial period will be for 3 months – El periodo de prueba será por tres meses

16. Work Experience – Experiencia Laboral

A technician in a hard hat and glasses working on an electrical outlet in a wall. The focus is on his hand as he uses a tool to make adjustments.

  • The candidates will need 5 years of work experience at least – Los candidatos necesitarán al menos 5 años de experiencia

17. Strength – Fortaleza

A silhouetted figure pushing a large boulder up a hill against a gradient blue background, symbolizing determination and effort.

  • I think you’re going to get that job because your greatest strength is punctuality – Creo que vas a conseguir ese trabajo porque tu mayor fortaleza es la puntualidad

18. Weakness – Debilidad

An older man standing outdoors flexing his arm with a grit expression, surrounded by greenery. He is wearing a white short-sleeve shirt with text on it, showcasing a humorous pose.

  • Maritza’s greatest weakness is her irresponsibility – La debilidad más grande de Maritza es su irresponsabilidad

19. To Recruit – Reclutar

A man in a dark suit and striped tie pointing directly at the viewer, suggesting engagement or emphasis. The background is neutral, focusing on the figure's upper body.

  • That company is recruiting three new managers – Esa compañía está contratando tres gerentes nuevos

20. Candidate – Candidato(a)

A man and a woman engaged in discussion during a job interview in Spanish. The woman looks attentively at the laptop while the man gestures towards it, emphasizing a point. The setting is a modern office with a wooden table.

  • Three candidates applied but there was just one vacancy – Tres candidatos aplicaron pero sólo había un puesto vacante

21. Employer – Patrono, Empleador, Empresa

A close-up of a man's hand extending for a handshake, dressed in a formal black suit and white shirt, with a dark background. This image is relevant for a job interview in Spanish.

  • Working for a big employer can be good, because there are opportunities for promotion – Trabajar para un compañía grande puede ser bueno, porque hay oportunidades de ascenso

22. To Apply For a Job  – Postularse a Un Empleo, Solicitar Trabajo

A person holding a tablet displaying an application form with fields for personal information including last name, first name, city, address, phone, and email address. This image relates to 'Job Interview In Spanish'.

  • Leonardo would apply for the management job if the salary was better – Leonardo se postularía para el empleo de gerencia si el sueldo fuera mejor

23. Interviewer – Entrevistador(a)

A woman in a white blouse with a yellow bow tie and a black skirt, holding a pen in her right hand and a tablet in her left hand, indicating toward the left against a light gray background. This image relates to a Job Interview In Spanish.

  • Interviewers have to avoid asking personal questions to candidates – Los entrevistadores tienen que evitar hacer preguntas personales a los candidatos

24. Interviewee – Entrevistado(a)

A woman with a long braided hairstyle is smiling while wearing a light blue button-up shirt. She is seated against a plain white background, conveying a professional appearance suitable for a job interview.

  • The interviewee was so nervous that he almost fainted during the interview – El entrevistado estaba tan nervioso que casi se desmaya durante la entrevista

25. Human Resources – Recursos Humanos

A group of five people standing in a circle with their thumbs up, showcasing teamwork and support. They are dressed in professional attire, with a city background, symbolizing positivity. Relevant to a job interview in Spanish.

  • There are two new people in Human Resources department – Hay dos personas nuevas en el departamento de Recursos Humanos

26. Post/Role – Puesto/Cargo

A businesswoman in a pinstripe suit holding a sign that says "Chief Executive Officer". The focus is on her upper body and the sign, emphasizing a professional setting.

  • Nataly occupies the post of Chief Executive Officer in this company – Nataly ocupa el cargo de Directora Ejecutiva en esta empresa

27. Recruitment – Reclutamiento

A hand pointing at a silhouette of a woman in a suit celebrating among five silhouetted figures in business attire. The image symbolizes the concept of a job interview in Spanish by highlighting successful candidates.

  • The recruitment process will take about 15 days – El proceso de reclutamiento tomará 15 días aproximadamente

28. Company Profile – Perfil de la Compañía

A view looking up at tall skyscrapers with a clear blue sky above. An airplane is flying in the distance amidst clouds, showcasing a modern urban landscape.

  • The company profile sounds gripping. It says it has headquarters in all of South America –  El perfil de la compañía suena fascinante. Dice que tiene sedes en toda Sudamérica

29. Job – Empleo, Trabajo

A person in a suit holding a stack of books and a leather bag, standing in front of a blue background featuring mathematical equations and diagrams. This image relates to a Job Interview In Spanish context.

  • Are you still looking for a job? Because there is vacancy as a teacher where I work – ¿Aún estás buscando trabajo? Porque hay puesto vacante como profesor donde trabajo

30. Salary Expectation – Aspiración Salarial, Sueldo Deseado

A calculator displaying numbers surrounded by papers and a spoon holding stacked coins. A potato rests on the spoon, creating a humorous visual metaphor involving money management related to a job interview in Spanish.

  • José Luís’ expected salary turned out to be higher than he’d thought – La aspiración salarial de José Luís resultó ser más alta de lo que había pensado

31. Labour Market – Mercado Laboral

A person with glasses reviewing data on a digital screen displaying stock market graphs and numbers, with a bright upward trend line and fluctuating figures. Relevant for a job interview in Spanish.

  • Nowadays, the labour market is more competitive than 5 years ago – Hoy en día el mercado laboral es más competitivo que hace 5 años

 32. To fire – Despedir

A large hand reaching towards a small blue figurine of a person standing on a flat surface under a clear sky. The image visually conveys the concept of control. Relevant keyword: Job Interview In Spanish.

  • Natasha was fired last month, and it wasn’t even her fault – Despidieron a Natasha el mes pasado y ni siquiera fue su culpa

 33. Teamwork – Trabajo En Equipo

A group of six professionals in business attire are seated around a conference table. One person is shaking hands with another, while others observe, with a laptop and notepad also on the table. This scene represents a job interview in Spanish.

  • Teamwork is the key to achieve any goal – El trabajo en equipo es la clave para alcanzar cualquier meta

34. Good Presence – Buena Presencia

A woman in a black business suit smiling confidently as she stands with her hands in her pockets. The background shows a modern office setting with blurred lights, suggesting a professional environment related to a Job Interview In Spanish.

  • Nancy has a good presence and has a professional appearance –  Nancy tiene buena presencia, y aspecto profesional

35. Punctuality – Puntualidad

Close-up of a vintage Timex alarm clock showing the time with black hour and minute hands on a white dial.

  • You are always late! Don’t you know the word “punctuality”? – ¡Siempre llegas tarde! ¿No conoces la palabra “puntualidad”?

36. To Retire – Jubilarse

An elderly man sitting on a wooden bench in a grassy park, reading a book. He is dressed in a brown puffer coat and black pants, surrounded by trees and greenery.

  • Julio’s dad retired ten years ago, but he still misses his job – El papá de Julio se jubiló hace diez años, pero aún extraña su trabajo

37. Unemployed – Desempleado

A person wearing a black t-shirt and denim shorts, holding out empty pockets with hands, symbolizing financial struggle or lack of money. This image relates to the concept of a "Job Interview In Spanish" as it reflects the impact of job searching.

  • They were unemployed for one month, but they’ve finally found a good job – Ellas estuvieron desempleadas por un mes, pero finalmente han encontrado un buen trabajo

38. Master’s Degree – Maestría

An opened notebook with a bar graph showing growth in colors of green, blue, yellow, and red. Diagrams illustrate connections between people, labeled with roles such as 'product' and 'customer.' Hand holding a pen is visible.

  • Katherine has a Master’s Degree in Marketing – Katherine tiene una Maestría en Mercadeo

Job Interview In Spanish: Common Questions and Answers

Questions: Interviewer English Equivalent
1) ¿Me podría hablar de usted, su experiencia o conocimientos en…? Can you tell me about yourself, your experience or knowledge in…?
2) En tu opinión, ¿cuáles consideras que son tus debilidades y fortalezas? To your mind, what are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
3) ¿Qué sabe sobre nuestra empresa? What do you know about our company?
4) ¿Por qué quiere cambiar de trabajo? Why do you want to change your job?
5) ¿Qué puesto ocupaste en tu última empresa? What position did you have in your old company?
6) ¿Dónde te ves en 5 años? How do you see yourself in five years?
7) ¿Cúal es su aspiración salarial? What is your salary expectation?
8) ¿Cree que sea la persona indicada para este trabajo? Do you think that you are the right person for this job?
9) ¿Qué idiomas habla, y que nivel tiene? What languages do you speak, and what level?
10) ¿Qué metas tiene para el futuro? What are your goals for the future?
11) ¿Cuando podría incorporarse a la empresa? When could you join the company?
12) ¿Tiene algunas preguntas? Do you have any questions?

 

Answers: Interviewee English Equivalent
1) Soy Licenciado(a) en… Tengo experiencia / conocimientos en…, I’m a graduate in…, I’ve got experience/knowledge in…
2) Mi(s) mayor(es) fortaleza(s) / debilidad(es) es(son)…, Me considero una persona _____ (adjetivo) My greatest strength(s)/ weakness(es) is(are)…, I consider myself as a _____ (adjective) person
3) Conocí a la empresa a través de: las redes sociales / el internet / un amigo(a) etc. I knew about this company through social network / internet / a friend
4) Porque busco nuevas oportunidades de: crecimiento / aprendizaje /  conocimiento etc. Because I’m looking for new growth / learning / knowledge  opportunities
5) Trabajé en el área de / departamento de… I worked in the area of… / department of…
6) Me veo trabajando y prosperando en… / Me veo asumiendo y enfrentando nuevos retos I see myself working and prospering in… I see myself assuming and facing new challenges
7) Estoy seguro(a) que la empresa paga un sueldo justo y acorde a la experiencia del trabajador I’m sure the company pays a fair salary, according to the worker’s experience
8) Estoy preparado para afrontar cambios, y disposición para seguir trabajando en profesionalizarme I am prepared to face changes, and willingness to continue working on professionalizing myself
9)Soy bilingüe, escribo y hablo   ____ y ____ con fluidez I’m bilingual, I write and speak ____ and ____ fluently
10) Desarrollar mis habilidades profesionales, para ser cada vez más eficaz / eficiente en las tareas asignadas, y alcanzar funciones de alto nivel Developing my professional skills, in order to be more efficient / effective at every task assigned, and accomplish high-level functions
11) Me gustaría comenzar a trabajar cuando… I’d like to begin working when…
12) Si, me gustaría saber:¿____? / No, no tengo ninguna por los momentos Yes, I’d like to know: ____? / No, I don’t have any question so far

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