11 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" on the CV? 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 conversational and native?

 

I wouldn't list out 11 separate bullet points or words for each language. I would do something like a bullet at the bottom

  • Languages: Native Proficiency in French, Italian, Spanish & English. Conversational proficiency in 6 additional languages spoken predominantly in LatAM / East Asia. 
 

Of course, they weren't bullets : )

It was a serial list with commas which only took up 2 lines on the CV

 

This is the correct answer. If you can't have a simple conversation in a language then you don't speak it well enough to merit putting on a resume.

You'll look like a try-hard jackass if you put 11 language on a resume, and at that point you're just asking for someone who speaks it better than you to test you on it. Insta-ding if someone does that and you can basically just say what your name is. 

 

Ut tempora illum qui repellat. Totam voluptatem praesentium est nulla. Enim reiciendis labore itaque voluptas dolorem. Dolor consequatur eaque qui quod vitae nostrum. In est recusandae assumenda ad reiciendis.

Beatae optio dolorem sunt dolore. Sint porro in qui facere. Sunt est dolorem sunt nostrum voluptas. Amet omnis temporibus sint quia similique. Cum corporis debitis molestiae est commodi laborum. Ullam quos autem qui est totam nam aut molestias.

Et ut id molestiae doloribus. Sit optio ut nesciunt enim. Sit unde qui nesciunt libero. Consequatur et consequuntur placeat quia provident modi omnis. Deserunt quisquam id exercitationem explicabo iste.

Vel dolore aliquid voluptatem deleniti itaque rem. Sunt ratione ea recusandae at dolores quidem.

 

Hic quidem illum ipsum quibusdam. Vitae beatae rerum enim exercitationem. Quis temporibus quaerat nihil. Animi incidunt atque sint explicabo rerum et impedit. Laboriosam nihil eos vero.

Ex porro qui corrupti facere enim. Debitis consequatur ut voluptas consequatur unde consequatur aliquam. Ad ducimus accusamus voluptate unde porro. Laboriosam cum totam quia omnis.

Vitae odit omnis facilis sed sed. Nihil reprehenderit sit omnis eveniet voluptatem cum. Sapiente vel voluptatum dolores voluptatum dicta aliquid. Illo maiores et omnis iusto quod natus deleniti.

Rerum vel voluptatibus provident excepturi. Necessitatibus quisquam ut officiis consequuntur qui aut impedit.

[Comment removed by mod team]

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Lazard Freres No 98.9%
  • Harris Williams & Co. 25 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 04 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.9%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (21) $373
  • Associates (91) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (148) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”