How to turn a Spanish CV into an English résumé for the US
Summary: don't translate word for word. For the US (1) remove photo, age, marital status and ID numbers1,2; (2) write bullets that start with an action verb and show real results; (3) use the job post's English keywords4; (4) translate degrees by equivalence without inflating them and, if asked, get a NACES credential evaluation5; (5) check that the PDF text copies in order. If you'd rather we do it, SOSIMPOL's Bilingual plan is USD 39, one-time6.
Latin American CV vs. US résumé
| Item | Common in Latin America | In the US | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo | Common | Leave out | Harvard, EEOC |
| Age or date of birth | Common | Leave out | Harvard, NIST |
| Marital status, children | Sometimes | Leave out | EEOC, NIST |
| National ID (cédula, DNI, CURP) | Sometimes | Leave out | NIST |
| Wording | “Responsible for…” | Action verb + result: “Managed…”, “Reduced…” | Harvard |
| Keywords | Generic | From the job post, in English | MIT |
Step by step
- Start from the job post. Copy it and mark tools, duties and requirements.
- Clean up personal details. Keep name, city and country (or “Remote”), phone with country code, email and LinkedIn.
- Rewrite every bullet. Past-tense verb (present for your current job), no “I” or “my”, numbers only if real.
- Translate titles by equivalence. Avoid literal translations (table below).
- Fix numbers and dates. 1,200 (comma for thousands), 4.5 (decimal point), “Mar 2022 – Aug 2025”.
- Export and test. Save as DOCX and PDF, paste the PDF text into a plain-text editor and check the order. Compare it with the job post in our free ATS check.
Common false friends
| Spanish | Avoid | Better |
|---|---|---|
| Licenciado/a en… | Licensed in… | Bachelor's degree in… (if that's the real equivalent) |
| Egresado/a (no diploma yet) | Graduated | Coursework completed / Degree in progress |
| Practicante / pasante | Practicant | Intern |
| Jefe de área | Area boss | Department manager / Team lead |
| Actualmente | Actually | Currently |
Options and costs
| Option | Cost | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| DIY with machine translation | Free | False friends, Latin American format |
| DIY with this guide + free ATS check | Free | Takes time |
| SOSIMPOL Essential (English résumé) | USD 19, one-time6 | One language only |
| SOSIMPOL Bilingual (Spanish + English + cover letter) | USD 39, one-time6 | Email only; no interview guarantee |
FAQ
How much does it cost to translate my CV into English?
A literal translation usually isn't enough for the US: format and personal details must be adapted. At SOSIMPOL, the Essential plan (USD 19) delivers the résumé in one language, which can be English, and the Bilingual plan (USD 39) delivers Spanish and English résumés plus a cover letter, one-time payment.
Can I use Google Translate or ChatGPT to translate my CV?
As a draft, yes, but check false friends (“Licenciado” is not “Licensed”), remove personal details US employers don't ask for, and make sure nothing was invented.
Should I put a photo on a US résumé?
No. EEOC guidance says employers should not ask for an applicant's photograph before an offer, and university guides such as Harvard's advise against including one.
How do I list a Latin American degree in English?
Use the equivalent name without overstating it (e.g., “Bachelor's degree in Accounting”) and, if an employer asks, get a credential evaluation from a NACES member agency.
Sources
- Harvard FAS Mignone Center for Career Success, «Create a strong resume»: careerservices.fas.harvard.edu.
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), «Prohibited Employment Policies/Practices», Pre-Employment Inquiries section: eeoc.gov.
- NIST, «What not to include in your application»: nist.gov.
- MIT CAPD, «Make your resume ATS-friendly»: capd.mit.edu.
- NACES, credential evaluation member agencies: naces.org/members.
- SOSIMPOL CV plans: cv.sosimpol.com/en/#plans.
Want us to do it?
Spanish and English résumés tailored to the job, in 48 h. USD 39, one-time.
See plansATS résumé guide