What a Multilingual CV Should Include

Regardless of your profession, most CVs include basically the same information. You should include all of your contact information, your education, your experience and any additional skills that you may have. However, multilingual CVs are sometimes a bit different than the average CV that an applicant submits. The fact that you are multilingual may mean that you will have to do a little more work on your CV to show your seriousness and dedication to the job that you are applying for.

Multilingual CVs should highlight your language skills. Any experience directly related to your language skills should be highlighted in your CV. For example, if you have worked as a bilingual assistant, you should mention the customer service skills that you may have acquired, translations that you may have performed and any other pertinent skills. Remember to use action words and to relate your specific language experience to the job for which you are applying.

Likewise, your education should also be detailed. Include any types of degrees specifically related to your multilingual skills such as translation certifications, Bachelor’s, Master’s and/ or PhD’s in foreign languages and language placement certifications. This is a good starting place with employers to identify your multilingual skills and how proficient you may be in the oral and written portions of the languages you know. Avoid falsifying your CV as most employers will have additional questions and tests to demonstrate your multilingual skills.

There is usually a section on your CV where you can mention your interests and achievements. This may be an ideal place to mention if you have lived outside of the country. Mention where you have lived and for how long you’ve lived there. If you have done specific research in a country, mention why you were in the country. You may also specify other countries that you have traveled to for short periods of time. Many employers in a global market prefer hiring people who have extensively traveled and lived in foreign countries. Therefore, in a multilingual CV this point will be very well received.

Lastly, you should translate your CVs into the different languages in which you are fluent. If you only have a basic understanding of French, for instance, then you can exclude this language and briefly mention your skill level on the CV. However, if you are fluent in German, Spanish, English and Chinese then you should translate your CV as your employer will find this to be not only impressive, but the first proof of your multilingual skills.