Multiple languages on CV
When I list the languages I have knowledge of (eleven of them) on my resumé, I indicate my proficiency for each in bracket. Out of the 11, two are of native proficiency, one is conversational while the rest are either basic or elementary. Would the fact that I specify that eight out of the 11 are basic/elementary be irritating?
I know that some people would advise only listing the three that are conversational or native, but I feel there is always the slight possibility that listing all the 11 (and specifying 8 of them as basic-proficiency level) could be beneficial if my basic knowledge of one of the languages could resonate with the person deciding whether or not I get an interview – for instance listing a basic knowledge of Latin and Greek could catch the attention of a banker/recruiter who loves Classics or finished with a Classics degree, basic knowledge of Arabic could resonate with someone from a muslim or middle eastern background.
TLDR: Would it hurt my chances of GETTING INTO THE INTERVIEW STAGE if I list 11 languages while 8 of them are labelled as "basic proficiency"? Or is it wise to list all the 11 in the hope that maybe one or two of the languages would resonate with the person who would spend 15 seconds looking at the resume?
What would you advise me to do: list 11 or list only the 3 that are intermediate and native?
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If your interviewer is a native speaker in one of the languages you list, they may try to speak to you in that language during the interview to you to see how good you are.
If you don’t feel you can converse with or impress a native speaker in a particular language, it would be better to just put the languages that you are fluent in.
Regardless, your job will be done in English for the most part
Honestly having such a broad but shallow knowledge may be seen as a lack of drive (i.e., you start them but get bored soon and move on).
I wouldn´t add them, given how a basic level won´t be that useful on the job itself. Besides, I don´t think people would take that much time reading over the 11 languages...
I have reduced to number of languages as you all have advised. Btw the way, what do you think of other parts of this CV
1) Condense the three last lines into one. Too many non-work stuff so interviewer may get lost. Would also advise against stuff like video games as some older folk could see it as a negative. Put something like sports (sport1, sport2, sport3..), board games, reading, unique hobby (this last one should be something you know in-and-out btw)
2) Skills should point to broader items. If function, VLoookup... are all Excel
3) English, Creole, French, Japanese in that order (native to basic). If applying to a certain country you may want to substitute Japanese for the local language (i.e., Spanish (basic) for Spain/ LATAM/ Europe even
4) Would advise against having 2011- 2012 stuff on your CV. That was a decade ago and may be seen as a filler. If anything, put it at the bottom without dates (in hobbies for instance: Mathematics (ranked x on y)). This being said, as someone who does not know about Nigerian Math Olympiads, 11th may not seem that flashy. Be sure to emphasize relative ranking if it matters (i.e., 11th out of 5,000 is more impressive that 11th out of 15)
5) Overall, your medical intern experience may be good for a HC team. Be sure to emphasize this on interviews / Cover Letters if the position calls for it (don´t mention it if its for an infra team, for instance). Be ready to explain reasons to change
6) May also suggest increasing the size of the IB traineeship (add a few more bullet points) to account for the 4 line reduction on your CV due to points 1-4
Thanks
Thank you very, I will implement your suggestions. As my uni is not a UK target school, because of which HR might filter it out even before it gets reviewed by a banker (correct me if I'm mistaken), do you think it is a good idea to move the work experience to the top and move education to a lower part of the CV in order to make my banking experience the first thing that is seen on the CV? Or is it safer to stick to the conventional format of listing the education first. This is the full CV
Might as well, but FYI HR will usually read the first few lines of your Education and Work Experience, irrelevant of the order.
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