What Is a Hoja de Vida?

In Colombia, a resume is called a hoja de vida — literally "life sheet." While it serves the same purpose as a CV or resume in other countries, the Colombian hoja de vida has its own conventions, formatting expectations, and cultural norms that differ meaningfully from what you might be used to in North America or Europe.

Understanding these differences is essential whether you're a Colombian professional entering the job market or a foreign national applying for local positions.

Standard Structure of a Colombian Hoja de Vida

1. Personal Information

Unlike resumes in the US or UK, Colombian hojas de vida traditionally include personal details such as:

  • Full legal name
  • National ID number (Cédula de Ciudadanía) or passport number for foreigners
  • Date and city of birth
  • Marital status (becoming less common but still expected by many employers)
  • Contact information: phone, email, city of residence
  • Professional photo (a formal, professional headshot is standard)

2. Perfil Profesional (Professional Profile)

A 3–5 sentence summary highlighting your experience, key skills, and professional objective. This should be tailored to the role you're applying for and written in the third person or first person depending on the format you choose — both are acceptable.

3. Formación Académica (Academic Background)

List your education in reverse chronological order, including:

  • Degree and institution name
  • Graduation year or expected graduation date
  • Professional card number (tarjeta profesional) if applicable — required for regulated professions like engineering, law, and accounting

4. Experiencia Laboral (Work Experience)

For each position, include:

  • Company name and city
  • Job title
  • Employment dates (month and year)
  • Brief description of responsibilities and achievements

Use action verbs and quantify achievements where possible. Colombian employers appreciate concrete results, such as cost savings, revenue growth, or efficiency improvements.

5. Idiomas (Languages)

Clearly state your proficiency level in each language. For English, include any certifications such as TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge certificates — these carry significant weight with Colombian employers.

6. Referencias (References)

Colombian hojas de vida typically include 2–3 professional references with full contact information at the end of the document. Personal references from non-professional contacts are generally less valued. Always ask permission before listing someone as a reference.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Overly long documents: Keep it to 2–3 pages maximum for most roles
  • Generic profiles: Tailor your perfil profesional to each application
  • Poor formatting: Use a clean, professional layout — many Colombian job platforms like ElEmpleo offer standardized templates
  • Missing the tarjeta profesional: For regulated professions, omitting this is a red flag
  • Spelling errors: Proofread carefully — errors signal a lack of attention to detail

Digital vs. Physical Hojas de Vida

Most applications today are digital, submitted through job portals or email. However, for some industries and public sector roles, a printed and signed hoja de vida may still be required. Always save your document as a PDF to preserve formatting across different devices and systems.

A well-crafted hoja de vida is your first impression. Take the time to get it right, and you'll significantly improve your chances of securing that first interview.