How do you write Spanish fluency on a resume?
Ok, first things first, if you are asking this question, are you really fluent in Spanish? All right, well now that we’ve got that out of the way, here is how you say you’re fluent in Spanish on a resume:
- Hablo el español con fluidez
- Hablo el español con soltura
- Tengo fluidez en el español
- Mi lengua/idioma materna es el español
- Tengo dominio del español / He dominado el español / Domino el español
- Manejo el español de manera avanzada.
- Tengo un nivel muy avanzado de español.
*Notice that “español” is not capitalized, as “English” would be!
If knowing Spanish is particularly important to the type of job you are applying for, some folks will mention it right in the resume profile or summary at the top, so it’s very apparent. If you don’t want to specifically call it out, you can more subtly communicate your bilingual skills by using the “Skills” section of a resume. Simply list the foreign languages you know, and list them as “mother tongue”, “fluent”, “native”, “working proficiency”, etc.
Probably the most effective way to show that you speak Spanish on your resume is to “show, rather than tell”. For example, you could highlight some successes you’ve had leveraging your Spanish skills in previous positions. For example, right in the body of the resume you could detail how you succeeded in landing a new client specifically because you were able to communicate with them in Spanish. Or you could add some details on an internship that you completed while you were studying abroad.
Should I put fluent in Spanish on a resume?
As discussed above, you should only put this on if you honestly are able to speak Spanish fluently. The worst case scenario if you lie is that someone involved in the interview process actually does speak Spanish and calls you out on it. This would surely result in NOT getting the job, even if you were a perfect candidate in every other regard. Don’t lie on a resume.
If you are fluent in Spanish, this can be a highly desirable trait for an interviewer. Particularly in the United States (where 13% of the population speaks Spanish at home), you are more than likely to come across a Spanish-speaking client at some time or another – and being able to communicate with them effectively can set you apart from other job-seekers.
Here is a basic rule of thumb from LinkedIn that can help you decide whether you should list Spanish fluency on your resume (and how to describe your Spanish skills):
- Beginner: Three to four semesters
- Intermediate: Four to seven semesters
- Proficient: Completed a study abroad program, or other immersion experience
- Fluent: If you have used Spanish regularly in your daily life for extended periods
- Native: If it is your first language
If it’s been a while since you’ve spoken Spanish and you’re not sure which level accurately describes you these days, you may want to spend some time on one of the many Spanish language learning apps. If it feels a bit uncomfortable, you may have forgotten more Spanish than you had realized. If it feels very natural and familiar, you’ve probably retained most of your skills! These can also be a good way to brush up on your Spanish. You can see our ranking of the best Spanish language learning apps here.
You may also enjoy these articles: Colors in Spanish
Goodnight in Spanish
Ahora in Spanish
Necesito in Spanish