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Key Takeaways on Our Language Resume Tips

• Quantify precisely – Translate vague skills like “college-level Spanish” into concrete terms such as basic, conversational, proficient, or fluent, assessing your ability across the diverse forms of language comprehension.
• Never overstate your language proficiency – When in doubt, choose the more conservative phrase to avoid issues, as exaggeration could derail an interview if the hiring manager chooses to test your skills in the foreign language.
• Integrate examples – Go beyond listing fluency by detailing how you applied the language in previous roles through specific, descriptive bullet points in your work experience section.

Working within the language industry can be incredibly rewarding, but to put yourself on a path to success you first need a strong resume that showcases your language skills. To help you, we have compiled some key language resume tips that will let you highlight your experience, passion, and expertise.

1. Assess Your Skills Across Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening

Our first language resume tip is that you should review the four key elements of language proficiency: your understanding of a written language, your ability to write comfortably in that language, your ability to speak the language with minimal effort, and your ability to understand other speakers of the language.

Your skills will likely be stronger in some areas compared to others. For instance, writing abilities can be weaker for people who grew up speaking a language but did not formally write with it in school. Honestly assess your abilities and favor those you are more confident in, remembering that to be fluent you must excel in all four areas.

2. Use Precise Terms to Quantify Your Proficiency Level

Assuming you have completed a language program, like those in Kent State’s Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies, you will have a firm understanding of at least one foreign language. Still, you will want to be careful how you measure your proficiency, keeping the following in mind:

• Avoid vague descriptions like “one semester of college-level Spanish” or “my relatives speak Russian” – instead, favor clear, concrete terminology 
• Use official classifications for your language abilities like basic, conversational, proficient, and fluent
• Don’t overstate your abilities and be more conservative in your self-analysis, as exaggerating your skills can lead to problems in interviews or future roles

3. Validate Your Skill Level with Formal Exams or Certifications

Another method for showcasing language skills on your resume includes adding results for formal exams you have taken or certifications you have acquired. Some options include:

• Taking a self-assessment from the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR)
• Taking an exam or assessment that measures your language proficiency on the Common Framework for Languages (CEFR) scale
• Taking a language proficiency exam like the ACTFL Assessment of Performance Toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL)

Along with acquiring knowledge and skills within a bachelor’s or master’s level language program, taking these assessments and highlighting your abilities can be one of the best ways to show your passion and expertise on your resume.

4. Incorporate Language Use into Your Work History

Whether in classroom settings, internships, or jobs, you will likely have many opportunities to expand your language skills, and you can highlight this work in your resume.

• Touch upon classroom work that’s applicable to future jobs
• Flesh out details under previous job descriptions, illustrating how you applied your fluency
• If you’ve worked as a translator, list the types of written materials and specialties you’ve handled, including scientific or legal documents
• Enhance your resume with study abroad experiences, tutoring, volunteering, and more, highlighting work performed and any recognition you received

5. Properly Format Your Resume to Showcase Language Skills

• Back up statements with hard evidence, specifying how you performed work or used a skill, rather than simply listing them
• Balance detail with concision, avoiding overexplaining and too many graphic elements or flashy fonts that can bog down your end product
• Consider leading with your bilingualism in your profile section, connecting it to you as an individual and your personal drive, especially for roles where language aptitude is central rather than a bonus
• Highlight your language education journey, detailing majors, minors, adult education, and recent training, including course hours where appropriate

FAQs ��һ�Թ��� Building a Resume Around Language Skills

Are language skills more marketable in certain industries or roles?

Language proficiency is valued in diverse sectors across the global economy, including in education, healthcare, hospitality, sales, and technology support, making applicants with such skills attractive hires to employers.

How can I provide examples of how I used my language skills in professional settings?

This should be clearly stated through descriptive bullet points under your work history that detail your language-based tasks, and you can also explain communication examples in more detail in your cover letter.

How can I create a language resume if I have limited professional experience?

If you are short on professional experience, you should stress your educational qualifications, such as coursework or degrees, or add details about any volunteer language-based positions to your resume.

Launch Your Career at Kent State

Ready to build knowledge and skills that can serve you in your future language career? Review the programs at Kent State today. You can also reach out to our admissions team and we will be happy to assist you.