Give Your Resume A Boost: Learn Spanish
Resume building. A necessary evil for all job seekers, made slightly less tedious by being bilingual.
When we think about bringing different kinds of people together at work, language is one of the biggest social challenges. Everything from basic communication to project management is made tougher by language boundaries.
Hence, polyglots have a key role in building bridges between businesses and consumers as well as between leaders and employees within the same organization.
This is true not only regarding work tasks. When you learn a new foreign language such as Spanish you also acquire its cultural baggage, which works like a new pair of glasses that allows you to see the world from their perspective.
MBA.com noted a study showing that employers value communication skills above many other skillsets in the modern workplace — and speaking Spanish is one of the strongest skills you can bring to your resume.
Here’s why.
The world needs polyglots to connect the dots
The world is changing at a rapid speed — barriers are being crossed every single day by technological advances and creative solutions.
Movements of human groups around the planet are being driven either by tragedy — such as natural disasters and warfare or by progress and jubilation derived from free trade agreements, distance learning opportunities, and more inclusive international welfare policies, amongst others.
As a result of these events, the workplace is also being reshaped. Diverse representation, inclusive marketing, sustainable growth, gender equality, and sexual harassment prevention are just some of the big topics on the professional agenda across trades.
Consequently, embracing multilingualism and cultural diversity helps companies to compete on a global scale and, first and foremost, to create an inclusive environment for staff, shareholders, clients, and whole communities.
Multiculturalism in the contemporary workplace
Some of the diversity and inclusion trends forecasted by Forbes Magazine highlight the importance of the companies’ ability to show to the public that they truly care about a wide range of people.
Enterprises that show their love for human diversity with specific actions have greater chances not only to stand-out but to connect with a broader spectrum of flesh-and-bone individuals.
In this manner, that is what Rihanna did with Fenty Beauty by launching the biggest color shade collection of make-up foundation to match all kinds of skin tones.
Today’s professional environment involves interacting across these diverse backgrounds. For businesses based in North America and Europe, the second language most desired is Spanish.
Why learning Spanish might land you a job
As previously discussed, languages are a launching platform to attain awareness, understanding, respect, togetherness, and success. The workplace is desperate to accommodate individuals with language skills.
Speaking two or more languages will increase your chances to overcome language and cultural barriers in the workplace and achieve your dream job.
Spanish for instance, is the second most spoken language in the world and is spoken over 20 nations. Can you imagine how wide your window of opportunity will open once you speak Spanish?
Resume Building: Where do You Write Language Skills on Your Resume?
Each resume should be tailored to suit the job application. Ask yourself, is speaking a particular language relevant to this position? Language skills should be given notoriety according to how significant they are for the job.
Here are three different options to consider for optimized resume building:
- List them under your general skills.
- Add them to your education section to show you got a language studies qualification.
- Create a separate section just for languages so you can include more detailed information if you are a polyglot.
What does it mean to be Fluent in a Language?
Language skills can be broken down into four core abilities: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Sometimes a person can be more advanced in one area than another.
Language fluency is reached when a person has developed the above abilities to the level of those who possess the language as a native tongue.
For example, a native English speaker who is fluent in Spanish is capable to speak, read, and write as good as a Spaniard, a Mexican or a Chilean. This means that she is able to verbally exchange complex ideas, read and follow instructions, keep-up with a fast-paced conversation, compose all kinds of written documents, and conduct himself in an appropriate manner (without offending locals) either in a professional or personal environment.
Some common terms used to classify language proficiency include ‘beginner’, ‘intermediate’, ‘conversational’, ‘professional’, ‘competent’, and ‘advanced’.
Although these expressions do provide a general idea of someone’s language skills, they are not recognized as a certified measurement. Instead, there are accredited institutions and authorities that test and evaluate language proficiency within an expert’s framework.
It is advisable to state your language skills using the official framework rather than the ordinary scale to avoid ambiguity.
If an employer is looking for someone with particular language skills, you really want to make sure that you are providing in your resume the information he wants to know at just one glance.
Make it prominent.
Resume building tips
There are several approved language proficiency rankings around the world. Make use of them depending on your country of residence or the territory you are hoping to get a job.
Below are some of the most popular rankings that show a progressive mastery of the language skills:
- The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) organizes language proficiency in six levels.
| CEFR Level Names | ||
| A1 | Beginner | Basic User |
| A2 | Elementary | |
| B1 | Intermediate | Independent User |
| B2 | Upper Intermediate | |
| C1 | Advanced | Proficient User |
| C2 | Proficient |
- The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) provides proficiency guidelines which are used worldwide by government agencies, private organizations, and academic institutions.
| ACTFL Level Names | |
| 1 | Novice |
| 2 | Intermediate |
| 3 | Advanced |
| 4 | Superior |
| 5 | Distinguished |
- The Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) is an unfunded organization that groups several agencies of the United States Federal Government.
| ILR Level Names | |
| 0 | No proficiency |
| 1 | Elementary proficiency |
| 2 | Limited working proficiency |
| 3 | Professional working proficiency |
| 4 | Full professional proficiency |
| 5 | Native or bilingual proficiency |
How to add a foreign language to a resume
To illustrate foreign languages such as Spanish on your resume, make sure you provide an accurate level of language proficiency as well as an array of examples of how you´ve used this language in various fields like your education or work experience.
In addition, optimized resume building includes highlighting relevant facts such as if you´ve studied abroad, travel to or lived in a Spanish speaking territory.
Keep in mind that using the term ‘native speaker’ is only appropriate if Spanish is actually your first language or you are fully bilingual.
- Offer clear examples of language usage.
- Create a bilingual resume.
- Compose a bilingual cover letter.
- Be ready to answer a job interview in Spanish.
Learn Spanish for resume building
Are you ready to boost your resume? Sign up for our FREE Spanish Survival Crash Course and have learning material, tips, audio lessons, and more sent right to your inbox:
This is true when you take Spanish language lessons with a certified native teacher.
The tutor not only explains Grammar rules and expands your vocabulary, he or she will empower you to overcome false stereotypes and fully immerse in the belief system, artistic values, and traditions of the Spanish speaking territory of your choice.
This ‘intel’ can translate into market insights and greater prospects for personal and professional growth.