An adequate assessment of your language skills will help you find common ground with an employer
As Deutsche Welle notes, many job vacancies additionally require or welcome knowledge of other languages. In most cases, it is English, but there is also demand for specialists with knowledge of French, Russian, Spanish, or Turkish.
How not to miss the mark in assessing your language competence when applying for a job at a German company? How to avoid overestimating or underestimating your level? And what exactly does an employer mean when, for example, they state in a job ad: 'The position requires fluent English'? Answers to these questions and useful practical tips are provided by experts from the German online job exchange for students and graduates, Absolventa.
Language skills: how to indicate the level
When indicating their language competence, job applicants often overestimate their level and thereby make a big mistake, because everything can come to light in an interview in no time. However, underestimating your level is also risky: in that case, you might not even be invited for an interview. It is also not recommended to describe your skills as 'good' or 'average' – this looks too vague, warn Absolventa experts.
How well you know a foreign language is usually assessed using a system of four levels: 'basic knowledge' (Grundkenntnisse), 'fluent in spoken and written speech' (fließend in Wort und Schrift), 'fluent, negotiation skills' (verhandlungssicher), 'native speaker' (Muttersprache).
The first level implies basic knowledge of grammar and vocabulary, the ability to communicate on everyday topics. Usually, this level of foreign language proficiency is achieved by those who studied it in short intensive courses for travel enthusiasts.
The second level means that you can easily communicate and write on even quite complex topics, you have a large vocabulary, and you know grammar well. As a rule, such skills appear after many years of studying a language at school or university.
'Fluent, negotiation skills' is the highest level for those who are not native speakers. It means that a person has an active vocabulary sufficient for use in most situations. They can read complex texts without a dictionary and participate in serious business negotiations. This level is usually achieved by someone who has learned the language not only at school and university but also lived in the country of the language for a long time.
The assessment 'Native speaker' speaks for itself. It means that you grew up in that language environment and know the language perfectly.
According to the European system
As an alternative for assessing language skills, you can use the European Language Portfolio system, which includes three main levels: A1/A2 (basic user), B1/B2 (independent user), and C1/C2 (proficient user). Explanations of what exactly each level implies can be found, for example, on the Goethe-Institut website.
You can quickly and correctly assess your skills using online tests compiled by experienced linguists. Many language schools offer such testing on their websites.
Not just in words
Your resume will look more impressive if, in addition to describing your language competence, you indicate where exactly you studied that foreign language. For example: 'Eight years at school, simultaneously two years with a tutor'; 'As part of a student exchange program, studied in Spain for six months'; 'Studied in London for two years'; 'Completed a three-month evening intensive English course for business people.'
It is better to do this in a cover letter. To avoid being unsubstantiated, attach relevant certificates, diplomas, or transcripts to your resume.
Information about the level of language skills is recommended to be indicated in the 'Additional Information' section of the resume (item 'Foreign languages'). At the same time, reporting knowledge of dead languages (e.g., Latin or Ancient Greek) is usually not necessary. The exception is when the job position requires it.