How to list languages on a resume: a complete guide

In today's global economy, the ability to speak more than one language is a definite plus and can give you a leg-up on the competition. But how do you list languages on a resume? Is there a particular way to do it? The answer is yes, and we’ll give you all the information you need to include your language skills on your resume to catch a hiring manager's eye and show them you're the best candidate for the job!

In this article, we’ll discuss:

• What does it mean to have language skills?

• Should you list a language on your resume?

• How to describe language skills on a resume?

• Where do you put languages on a resume or CV?

What does it mean to have resume language skills?

Having “language skills” means you can read, write, and speak in a language other than your native one. By creating a cover letter and resume, you’re demonstrating your fluency in American English, and if you have any levels of skills in other languages, such as fluent, proficient, or medium, you can list those as well on your resume. 

Should you list a language on your resume?

Yes. Having language skills on your resume is a “green light” for an employer, especially if they do business globally. Listing them and giving an indication of your fluency level can give you an advantage in the job market. Hiring managers keep an eye out for language skills on resumes because it indicates you can communicate with a wide range of people, clients, and business associates, and may give you familiarity with other customs and allow you to work together in a way that is both respectful and compatible with their culture.

If language skills are listed in the job descriptions, you’ll want to place them front and center of your resume so that the hiring manager sees them quickly. But even if they’re not listed, you should still include them. It’s a skill, and you should be proud of it.

How to describe your language skills on a resume

If you’re fluent in more than one language, it’s important to list it on your resume, but how do you accurately describe your skills? There's a big difference between "I took Spanish in high school" (which you wouldn't list on your resume) and "My family speaks Portuguese at home and I spent summers in Lisbon.” You can self-identify, or utilize a screening tool such as the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR), which identifies language proficiency.

In general, however, you can describe your language skills by using the following parameters:

• Basic skills mean you know some words and phrases, but could not conduct a conversation in that language, nor could you write correct sentences (you generally would not include this on your resume).

• Intermediate means you can have a simple conversation and might need to speak more slowly and ask for clarification. You have a narrow vocabulary, but understand the basic rules of grammar and possess passable reading skills.

• Proficient skills indicate you can read, write, and speak a language with a minimum of effort. You can have a conversation in that language but might need a little help with vocabulary or slang.

• Fluent speakers can speak, write, and read a language easily. You can understand slang and colloquialisms but are not a native speaker, i.e. you didn't grow up speaking this language.

• Native language skills mean a language you grew up speaking and are fully comfortable with all aspects of the language.

Where do you put languages on a resume or CV?

Once you've determined your fluency level in a language you can include it on your resume, either in your skills section, a separate "language skills" section, or in your professional summary (or both, depending on the job description). If you have a separate language section, make sure that the formatting is consistent with the rest of your resume, and use the same proficiency scale for all languages. If you speak more than one additional language, list them in order of proficiency from highest to lowest. 

Listing language skills in a separate section

If you’re fluent in multiple languages and these language skills are relevant to the job you’re applying for, you can place them in their own skill section. 

Listing language skills in your education section

If you developed your language skills as a part of your higher education career, you can include it in your Education or Certifications section. Make sure you include the name of the college or study program, when and where you studied, and the level of fluency you developed.

Listing language skills in your professional summary

If the language skills are important to the job you’re applying for, you should also include them in your Professional Summary. Since it appears at the top of your resume, the hiring manager will see it right away and it will motivate them to keep reading.

Need a little help writing your resume? Check out Career.io’s Resume Examples, which will provide you with a library of resume templates, organized by industry, to create a professional-looking resume quickly and easily.

Key takeaways

1. Having “language skills” means you can read, write, and speak in a language other than your native one.

2. You should include your language skills on your resume because it can give you an advantage in the job market.

3. There are several methods of labeling language skills, but in general, you can use basic, intermediate, proficient, fluent, and native.

4. Language skills can be included in your skills section, in a separate “language skills” section, under your education/certifications, and/or in your professional summary.