Learn how to include language skills on your resume with tips on placement, proficiency levels, and showcasing your expertise to stand out in the job market.
In today’s global job market, language skills are increasingly valued. Whether you’re fluent in multiple languages or just proficient, showcasing your language abilities can set you apart from other candidates.
It doesn’t matter if you want to be an EFL teacher or work for a global company, being able to speak more than one language is always valued. Employers in various fields appreciate bilingual or multilingual employees because they enhance communication and open doors to new markets.
Including language skills on your resume is therefore a strategic move that highlights your versatility, cultural awareness, and adaptability.
In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about including language skills on your resume. You’ll learn where to position your language skills, how to describe your proficiency accurately, and how to make your resume more appealing to employers looking for multilingual talent.
Why Should You Include Languages on Your Resume?
If you speak more than one language, it’s essential to showcase this ability. Employers see bilingual candidates as resourceful and able to handle diverse challenges, particularly in global roles. There are many reasons why language skills should feature prominently on your resume:
- They increase your employability. Many companies operate internationally, and language skills can give you an edge in roles that involve cross-border communication.
- They open up new career opportunities. Speaking a second language can lead to roles in translation, customer support, and international business.
- They demonstrate adaptability. Learning a language shows you’re flexible and open to new experiences.
By adding languages you speak to your resume, you show potential employers that you have a valuable skill that goes beyond job-specific qualifications.
How to Include Language Skills on Your Resume
Including language skills on your resume can highlight your unique abilities and enhance your candidacy for many roles. Here’s how to effectively showcase your language proficiency to make a lasting impression on potential employers.
Determine Which Languages to Include
Depending on how multilingual you are, not every language you speak needs to be on your resume. Choose languages relevant to the job you’re applying for. If the role involves international work, list all relevant languages. However, if the job doesn’t require language skills, focus only on the languages that can add value to the role.
For example, if you’re applying for a customer support role in a multinational company, proficiency in multiple languages will be an advantage. But if you’re applying for a purely technical role with no customer interaction, listing basic language skills may not add much value.
Consider these factors when deciding which languages to include:
- Job Description: If the job requires language skills, list every language you know that matches the requirements.
- Employer Type: International companies or those with global clients will value multilingual candidates more. If you’re planning on teaching English abroad in a school, they might like you to be able to speak a bit of the local language.
- Your Skill Level: Only list languages where you can provide a valuable contribution in a work setting.
Identify Where to Place Language Skills on Your Resume
The placement of your language skills on your resume depends on how important they are for the job you’re seeking. If the job requires multilingual skills, place them prominently in the skills section or even create a dedicated “Language Skills” section. On the other hand, if the job doesn’t require them, placing them in the bottom half of your resume, perhaps under “Additional Skills,” is more appropriate.
Here are the most common sections where you can include language skills:
Skills Section
If language skills are a major asset for the job you’re applying to, they should go in the skills section of your resume. For instance, if you’re applying for a role as a translator, interpreter, or customer support representative in a multilingual team, placing your language skills near the top will ensure they get noticed immediately.
You can list your languages here as individual bullet points, specifying your proficiency level. For example:
Skills:
- Spanish: Fluent
- Mandarin Chinese: Intermediate
Dedicated “Languages” Section
If language proficiency is a key requirement for the job, create a separate “Languages” section. This draws the employer’s attention to your language skills and highlights them as a core competence. This approach works well for roles like international business development, diplomatic positions, or other roles where multiple languages are required.
For example:
Languages:
- English: Native
- French: Fluent
- German: Conversational
Education Section
If you’ve formally studied languages in school or have certifications like the TOEFL or DELE, include these qualifications in the education section. This is particularly relevant if your language skills are backed by recognized academic credentials.
For example:
Education:
- B.A. in French, University of Paris, 2021
- TOEFL Certified, 2020
Additional Skills Section
If language proficiency is not a core skill required for the job but is still relevant, you can include it under an “Additional Skills” section. This section is often found near the bottom of your resume, which ensures that your language abilities are still visible but don’t overshadow more critical qualifications.
For example:
Additional Skills:
- Fluent in Spanish
- Proficient in Portuguese
Accurately Assess and Describe Your Proficiency
One of the most common mistakes when listing language skills is overstating proficiency. It’s therefore important to understand your level and know how to write your language proficiency on your resume.
Employers value honesty, and exaggerating your abilities can backfire. You don’t want to be placed in a situation where you’re expected to communicate fluently in a language you’re only mildly proficient in.
Here’s how to categorize your language proficiency:
Native or Bilingual Proficiency
This means you can speak the language as fluently as a native speaker. If you grew up speaking the language or have spent extensive time in a country where the language is spoken, this is your category.
For example:
- Native Proficiency: English (You were raised speaking English and are fully fluent in both speech and writing.)
- Bilingual Proficiency: Spanish (You have spoken Spanish since childhood or in a bilingual environment.)
Fluent Proficiency
Fluency indicates that you can hold conversations easily, understand complex ideas, and communicate effectively in writing. You should use this term only if you’re confident that you can speak, read, and write in the language with ease.
For example:
- Fluent: French (You can hold a conversation about professional and casual topics without hesitation.)
Conversational Proficiency
This means you can speak and understand the language fairly well in casual settings but may struggle with more complex or professional terminology. Use this label if you can get by in conversations but aren’t entirely comfortable in formal settings.
For example:
- Conversational: Italian (You can have informal conversations, but would need more practice for professional settings.)
Basic Proficiency
Basic proficiency means you know a few phrases and can carry out simple tasks in the language. If you are still learning the language or have only minimal understanding, it’s better to use this category.
For example:
- Basic: Japanese (You can greet people and ask simple questions, but struggle with complex sentences.)
Proficiency Scales
If you want to be more precise, you can use standardized proficiency scales. The most well-known include:
- CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages): This scale ranges from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficient).
- ILR (Interagency Language Roundtable): This scale ranges from 0 (no proficiency) to 5 (native proficiency).
- ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages): Levels range from novice to distinguished.
Using these scales adds credibility to your proficiency claims and makes it easier for employers to understand your level.
For example:
- French: C1 (Advanced) on CEFR
- German: Level 3 on ILR
Provide Proof of Your Language Proficiency
Simply listing languages on your resume may not always be enough. Some employers may want proof that you can communicate effectively in another language. Including certifications or highlighting professional experiences in which you’ve used your language skills can strengthen your claim.
Language Certifications
If you’ve taken any formal language tests, include your scores on your resume. These certifications can make your proficiency more credible.
Some popular certifications include:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- DELE (Diplomas of Spanish as a Foreign Language)
- DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française)
- Goethe-Zertifikat (German Language Proficiency)
For example:
- Spanish: DELE B2, 2022
- English: TOEFL 112/120
Professional Experience
If you’ve used a language in your professional experience, this is valuable proof of proficiency. Highlight specific roles, projects, or tasks where your language skills were essential. For example, mention jobs where you interacted with international clients, translated documents, or attended meetings in a different language.
For example:
- International Sales Associate: Negotiated contracts with clients in French and Spanish.
- Translator: Translated technical documents from English to German for clients in the automotive industry.
This approach not only showcases your language skills but also ties them directly to the job market.
Customize Language Skills for Each Job Application
Your resume should be tailored to fit the job you’re applying for, and the same goes for your language skills. Some jobs will value certain languages more than others, so it’s crucial to customize your resume accordingly.
Research the Job Posting
Carefully read the job description and note which languages are specifically mentioned. Tailor your resume to match the employer’s needs, emphasizing the languages that align with the role.
For example, if the job post highlights the need for fluent Mandarin and basic Spanish, list Mandarin as a key skill and de-emphasize any other less relevant languages.
Show Relevant Experience
If you’ve used a language in a way that relates to the role, mention this prominently. For instance, if you’re applying for a position that requires Spanish fluency, describe any past roles where you spoke or wrote in Spanish regularly.
Use Job-Specific Keywords
Incorporate relevant keywords from the job posting into your resume. Many companies use automated systems to scan resumes, and including job-specific keywords ensures your resume makes it past initial screening.
For example, if the job post mentions “German language proficiency,” ensure you use the exact phrase in your resume, rather than just “fluent in German.”
Mistakes to Avoid
There are common pitfalls to avoid when adding language skills to your resume. Make sure to steer clear of the following errors:
Exaggerating Your Proficiency
One of the worst things you can do is overstate your language skills. Employers may test your proficiency during the interview process, and if you fail to meet expectations, it can damage your credibility. Be honest about your abilities.
Including Too Many Irrelevant Languages
It’s tempting to list every language you’ve ever studied, but this can clutter your resume and confuse employers. Stick to the languages that are relevant to the role you’re applying for.
Using Inconsistent Terminology
Ensure that you describe your proficiency consistently throughout your resume. If you use “conversational” in one section, don’t switch to “intermediate” in another. Consistency makes your resume easier to read and understand.
Neglecting Certifications and Evidence
If you have language certifications or professional experience that demonstrates your proficiency, don’t forget to mention it. This adds credibility to your claims and shows employers that your language skills are backed by formal qualifications.
Examples of How to List Language Skills on a Resume
Here are some examples of how to include language skills on your resume based on different levels of proficiency and sections:
Example 1: Skills Section for a Multilingual Role
Skills:
- Spanish: Fluent (DELE C1 Certified)
- German: Conversational
- English: Native
Example 2: Dedicated Languages Section for a Translator
Languages:
- French: Fluent (DALF C2 Certified)
- Italian: Fluent
- Portuguese: Conversational
Example 3: Additional Skills Section for a Non-Language-Focused Role
Additional Skills:
- Fluent in Mandarin
- Proficient in Korean
How to Write Bilingual on Your Resume
What if you don’t want to list every single language you speak on your resume? Maybe you’re out of space or you don’t feel that listing multiple languages is important for a particular job. In such cases, you can just write that you are bilingual (or multilingual) on your resume.
Note: The key difference between bilingual and multilingual lies in the number of languages spoken:
- Bilingual refers to a person who is fluent in two languages. For example, someone who speaks both English and Spanish fluently is considered bilingual.
- Multilingual refers to a person who speaks more than two languages fluently. A person who speaks English, French, and Mandarin, for instance, would be considered multilingual.
In short, bilingual means two languages, while multilingual refers to more than two.
When writing “bilingual” on a resume, it’s important to clearly communicate your proficiency in both languages and how it adds value. Here’s how to present your bilingual skills effectively:
Be Clear About Your Proficiency
Specify that you are bilingual by stating it explicitly in either the skills section or creating a dedicated “Languages” section. Clearly mention the two languages in which you are fluent. For example:
Skills:
- Bilingual: English and Spanish (Fluent in both)
Highlight Bilingual Experience
If you’ve worked in a role that required regular use of both languages, mention this experience. Emphasize how being bilingual benefited your work, such as improved communication with diverse clients, translating documents, or managing multicultural teams.
Example:
- Customer Support Specialist (Bilingual – English/Spanish): Provided support to English- and Spanish-speaking clients, resolving issues in both languages.
Tailor Bilingual Skills to the Job
Customize your resume by highlighting how your bilingual abilities are relevant to the specific job. If the position involves international collaboration or communication, emphasize how being bilingual will help bridge language barriers or facilitate negotiations.
By presenting your bilingual skills strategically, you can demonstrate versatility and broaden your appeal to employers looking for candidates who can work across cultures and languages.
Wrapping Up: Making Your Language Skills Stand Out
Language skills can be a significant asset in today’s job market, particularly in industries with international reach. By clearly including your language abilities on your resume, you can make yourself more attractive to employers. Focus on relevant languages, provide evidence of your proficiency, and customize your resume for each job you apply for.
Remember, honesty is key. If you’re not fluent, don’t claim to be. Accurate representation of your language skills will serve you well and could open the door to exciting career opportunities.
James has been helping people teach English abroad for over twelve years. He’s traveled to over 30 countries, lived in 3, and taught English in Chile and online.
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