In the age of globalization, networking with international customers and partners is more important than ever. As a result, language skills are an absolute must for most jobs. The exchange with customers or companies requires (very) good foreign language skills on the part of employees. Therefore, always state your language skills in your résumé.
It is advisable to state your language skills as precisely as possible in your application documents – especially in your résumé. This is especially true if you are applying for a job posting that explicitly requires information about language skills. In such a case, it is also advisable to state your foreign language skills in the application letter and to mention any language stays and diplomas.
What should I pay attention to?
You should indicate how well you master a language in categories. The most common classifications are as follows:
- Basic knowledge: As a rule, you have basic knowledge when you can understand an everyday conversation and form simple sentences. In addition to introducing yourself, your language repertoire also includes asking simple questions.
- Good language skills: If you state in your application documents that you have good language skills, you will not only understand conversations but can also actively participate in simple conversations.
- Very good to fluent language skills: The next higher language level “very good” or “fluent” means that the applicant speaks a foreign language with almost no mistakes, spontaneously speaks with a native speaker, and also has complicated conversations Can understand texts.
- Business fluent in spoken and written: You should only state this if your skills are close to the level of your mother tongue. You have an enormous vocabulary and keep an overview even in complex discussions or negotiations.
- Language skills at the native level: In this case, you will master the language in your sleep, both orally and in writing. You are very confident in linguistic expression and understand almost everything spoken and written.
Basically: When asking about your foreign language skills, always provide realistic information in your CV. This may save you an embarrassing situation in the job interview.
Mention diplomas
How well you master a language is often a matter of opinion. So it allows a certain subjectivity to resonate in the assessment. If you did not acquire your language skills in self-study but in a language course, it is essential to mention this and to enclose “proof” in the form of certificates.
In such a case, you can also state your language level using the Common European Framework of Reference (A1-C2). This allows the HR manager to assess your foreign language skills even more precisely. In most cases, you can find the rating directly on the certificate.