Listing language skills on your CV
In today’s international environment, language skills are an asset. Businesses are always looking to expand their customer base, and one of the fastest ways to do so is to employ staff who can speak other languages. That's why adding a foreign languages on your CV can give you an edge over other similarly qualified candidates. In this article, we'll look at how to list languages correctly on your CV.
The ability to speak a foreign language is one of the most sought-after skills by employers. Being proficient in another language demonstrates much more than the ability to communicate. It also demonstrates that:
- You can understand and get along with other cultures
- You’re able to adapt to new situations
- You’re able to take on new challenges (learning a new language is no mean feat!)
- You’re open to new ideas
And the list goes on. Including your language skills on your CV can also help you stay competitive with international candidates. Let's look at the best ways of including language skills on your CV.
International standards for language proficiency
One of the main ways to indicate your language skills is by using the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) which is a guideline to help language learners in Europe to assess their language levels.
Letters are used to categorise language levels into three broad divisions and six levels to describe the learner’s ability in reading, writing, speaking and listening:
A – Basic user
- A1 – Breakthrough or beginner
- A2 – Waystage or elementary
B – Independent user
- B1 – Threshold or intermediate
- B2 – Vantage or upper intermediate
C – Proficient user
- C1 – Effective operational efficiency
- C2 – Mastery or proficiency
Breaking down your skills this way will help employers understand whether you can use your language skills in a professional environment.
This international standard can be used when writing a CV in English or when applying to an international company, for example.
Expert Tip
No matter which scale you choose to use, be consistent with it throughout if you mention multiple languages. If the job listing mentions a certain scale, present your language levels in that same scale to help your CV pass the applicant tracking system (ATS) scans.
Should you include languages on your CV?
Generally speaking, it’s always a good idea to list your language skills on your CV. If the job that you are applying for requires a certain language, you will want to highlight your skills prominently. Even if a job description does not specifically require additional languages, it can still be beneficial to outline your proficiencies.
Companies are looking for candidates who bring the best mix of personal qualities and technical skills to the table. By showcasing language proficiencies on your CV, not only do you show potential employers that you have the hard skills they're looking for, you also give the impression that you're a dynamic, well-rounded candidate who can communicate across cultures.
There are very few situations in which you wouldn’t include languages on your CV. However, if language skills are not relevant to the role and space is limited, it’s better to prioritise other, more relevant skills.
Data Insight
The UK has an urgent need for stronger language skills, with one report estimating that the shortage of multilingual professionals costs the economy up to 3.5 per cent of GDP each year.
Highlighting your language abilities on your CV can give you a significant advantage over other candidates, especially if you speak one of these five in-demand languages: Spanish, Mandarin, French, Arabic, and German.
Don’t know how to rate your language skills?
It's not always easy to assess your language abilities. Perhaps, you can have a conversation with your flatmate in German, but you struggle to write e-mails in the language or you can chat with your colleagues in French, but find it difficult to converse with customers on the phone.
The best way to rate your language skills is to take a language test. While there are hundreds of language tests available online, it’s a good idea to choose an officially recognised or authorised provider. On Wikipedia, you can find accredited language providers per language.
Where to include your language skills on your CV
Depending on the situation, there are several options of where languages can be placed on a CV. If you only speak on foreign language beyond your native tongue and/or language skills are not critical for the position you are applying for, you can save space on your CV by including that information in your skills or education section. In that case, you don’t also need to list your native tongue.
If you speak one foreign language that's essential to the position, you can also draw attention to it by placing it in your CV header or by adding a line about your fluency in your summary section.
If you speak several different languages and/or language skills are integral to the job, you may wish to create a separate languages section to highlight this information more prominently. If you do create a dedicated section, you may also wish to mention your native language, especially if you are bilingual - this makes it clear which two languages you speak natively. Here's an example of a separate languages section on a CV:
English - Native speaker
Italian - Native speaker
Spanish - B1
German - A2
Using a CV builder to add languages to your CV
A professional CV builder such as Jobseeker can help you present your language skills in a way that’s understandable to employers. On our CV templates, you can choose to use the CEFR labels we discussed earlier or pick from the following levels:
- Fluent: You’re a native or near-native speaker and can communicate confidently in almost any situation.
- Very good: You can express yourself clearly with only minor mistakes, including in most professional contexts.
- Good: You can hold conversations comfortably, but may find complex or work-related situations challenging.
- Moderate: You can understand and use basic phrases, but your ability to work in the language is limited.
- Beginner: You have a basic understanding of the language and are still learning.
Get a head start on your application by searching for your job title within our library of CV examples or by modifying one of Jobseeker's professional templates below.
Use a Consistent Format
No matter where you add your CV language skills, be sure to format the information in a way that’s cohesive with the rest of your CV. If you opt to include your languages in your skills section, simply add another bullet point or item in the comma-separated list. It may make sense to include your language information in your education section if you learned the language through school classes or study abroad or if you minored in the language.
If you create a separate section for languages, ensure that the format is similar to the rest of your CV. You may also wish to present your language proficiencies with an infographic or in a separate box if it will fit with the overall scheme of the document.
Expert Tip
When listing multiple languages, start with your native tongue and then include the others in descending order of proficiency.
What about language courses?
As a general rule, it’s best to mention any courses you’ve taken in a separate ‘Courses’ section of your CV. This goes after the ‘Education’ section.
However, if you have taken language courses for work, you may want to place them as a bullet point in the ‘Work Experience’ section, so that employers can see that these courses are tied directly to work, especially if you’ve taken a course such as ‘Business Spanish’ or ‘Spanish in the Workplace’. If languages are one of the biggest assets you bring to the role, it's worth mentioning them in your cover letter as well.
Be honest about your language skills
If you do put your languages on your CV, it is important that you are honest about your language skills and your level of proficiency. Candidates who lie about their skills on their CV often get an embarrassing surprise when the hiring manager asks them to speak the language during an interview.
Furthermore, once the hiring manager finds out you exaggerated your language abilities, they may be left wondering what else on your CV is incorrect or only partially true. Even if you do manage to convince employers that your language skills are up to scratch, once you’re hired, you’ll almost certainly be caught out if speaking a foreign language is a requirement of the job
Expert Tip
Only list languages you can actually use at work. If you wouldn’t feel comfortable introducing yourself in a language, it’s usually better to leave it off your CV. Listing very basic proficiency rarely adds value and won’t materially affect your ability to do the job.
If you are learning a language that is relevant in another way (for example, the company’s main export market speaks it), you can instead mention it in a Hobbies and Interests section if you include one.
Key takeaways for adding languages to your CV
Adding language skills to your CV can show potential employers that you are culturally aware, can communicate with a diverse group of people, and are dedicated to challenging tasks. It’s generally always a good idea to include additional languages that you speak, even if they are not strictly required for the job. Include your proficiency level for each language, and use a consistent rating scale and format. You can include your languages in your education section or your skills section, or you can create a section specifically for languages.
If languages are a key component of the job duties, it's also a great idea to talk about them on your cover letter. You can browse Jobseeker's cover letter examples to find inspiration for your own application and check out our resources for even more expert tips!
FAQs for including language skills on your CV
The four basic skills that make up language proficiency are reading, writing, listening, and speaking. However, unless specifically requested by the employer, you do not need to include a separate proficiency level for each of these areas on your CV. Instead, consider your overall ability across all four skills and use a single proficiency level that best reflects your competence.
A language skill is any ability in a foreign language that could be useful in the context of a potential employer’s business activities. This means you should tailor the language skills on your CV to the specific company and role you’re applying for. For example, beginner Spanish may not be sufficient for a customer service role working with Latin American clients, but it could still be worth mentioning on a CV for a role that involves occasional travel to Spain.
English levels on a CV usually describe how well you can use English in a professional or everyday context. In the UK, they’re most often shown using general proficiency labels rather than formal test scores. Common levels include: Proficient, Very Good, Good, Moderate and Beginner.
In most cases, you don’t need to list English as a language on your CV if you’re applying for a role where English is assumed, such as a job based in the UK. Employers will already expect you to be proficient in English unless stated otherwise.
You should only include English if it’s relevant to the role—for example, if you’re a non-native speaker, if the job specifically asks for a certain level of English, or if you’re providing a recognised qualification such as IELTS or a CEFR level. Otherwise, it’s best to focus on additional languages that add value to your application.
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