I’ve lived in Spain for almost 40 years and I have witnessed the huge transformation undergone by Spanish industry on the road to adapting to an increasingly global market.
The traditional idea of working one’s whole life for the same company has given way to a much more dynamic job market. Today changing jobs is considered positive and even essential towards becoming a well rounded professional. Here are a few H.R. key terms to help you when dealing with the job market.
| Empleo | Job |
| Trabajo a tiempo parcial | Part-time job |
| Trabajo a tiempo completo | Full-time job |
| Puesto | Post / Position |
| Trabajar / trabajo | To work / work |
| Estar empleado | To be working |
| C.V. (currículum vitae) | C.V. (pronunciado: “Si Vi”), Resumé (U.S.A.) |
| Entrevistar / Ser entrevistado | Interview / To be interviewed |
| Candidato | Candidate |
| Preselección | Shortlist |
| Ser preseleccionado | To be shortlisted |
| Contratar (empleados) | Hire |
| Empleador, patrón, jefe | Employer |
| Nombrar | Appoint |
| Reclutar | Recruit |
| Plantilla | Staff, personnel, workforce |
| Empleados | Employees |
| Obrero | Blue collar worker |
| Administrativo, oficinista | White collar worker, office clerk |
| Tomar el día libre | Take the day off |
| Estar de baja por enfermedad | To be on sick leave |
| Permiso por maternidad | To be on maternity leave |
| Excedencia | Take a leave of absence |
| Tómese un año sabático | Take a sabbatical |
| Despedir | Fire, Sack, Dismiss, Make redundant, To be given notice |
| Despido procedente | Fair dismissal; Lawful dismissal |
| Despido improcedente | Unfair dismissal |
| Expediente de regulación de empleo | Labour force adjustment plan |
| Recortar plantilla | Downsize, Restructure, Reduce staff, Layoff |
| Indemnicación por despido | Redundancy payment, Severance pay |
| ERTE (Expediente de Regulación Temporal) | Temporary Employment Regulation (Furlough) |
| Externalizar (subcontratar) | Outsource, Subcontract |
| Negociaciones colectivas | Collective bargaining agreements |
| Convenio laboral | Labour agreement |
| Horas extras | Overtime |
| Dejar un empleo | Quit |
| Comunicar la intención de dejar un empleo | Give notice |
| Dimitir | Resign |
| Carta de dimisión | Letter of resignation |
| Estar sin empleo | To be unemployed, to be between jobs, to be out of work |
| Prejubilación | Early retirement |
| Jubilar | Retire |
| Jubilado (Pensionista) | Retiree, Pensioner |
