Why it is Important to Have a Multilingual Curriculum Vitae or Resume.

As the most essential mean of communication between human beings, language not only provides information, but also expresses emotions, portrays skills and defines identities. In this manner, multilingual skills emerge as a powerful tool and advantage in many areas.

Therefore, when it comes to entering or re-entering the work force, there is nothing better than being as comprehensive as possible in regards to describing our skills. What are the advantages of having a multilingual CV?

Competitive Advantages of a Multilingual CV

In the same way that a bilingual (or even trilingual or multilingual) education gives people more tools to face the job market, being able to reach decision makers in companies with a personal “cover letter” in several languages can set you apart from other candidates.

Multilingualism provides a competitive advantage in today’s job market. In addition to academic and professional credentials, employers also look for language skills. And it is not only about knowing how to speak more than one language (a special plus in industries such as tourism, gastronomy and education, among others), but also about having a multilingual Curriculum Vitae.

The benefits of a multilingual CV include:

• Visibility: In professional networks such as LinkedIn, for example, having profiles in several languages makes it easier for other members and recruiting personnel to find candidates.
• Professionalism: As long as a skilled and experienced person in the field performs the translation, the professional image will appear more attractive and competitive.
• Positioning: It is ideal to have as many profiles as languages spoken, as this will improve SEO and help to better position yourself in job search networks.
• The New Global Paradigm: Organizations worldwide are increasingly tapping on global resources to find scarce talent. Having your skills readily available to be found in various languages will increase your chances to be contacted by organizations with global reach.

LinkedIn has about 800 million users worldwide. The platform has more than 15,000 business clients and hiring increased more than 160% annually.
Source: LinkedIn

Why avoid non-professional translations?

Because although translating a person’s name and address may seem very easy, there are other aspects that are not so linear.

Issues related to work experience and educational background have their own particularities depending on whether they are read in one language or another. The description of certain positions, their responsibilities and characteristics, for example, may vary from one country to another: such is the case of senior or junior positions. Titles can also have specificities.

77% of employers say that experienced workers should not use one-page resumes.
Source: Zety

Likewise, it is also necessary to understand, in depth, the particular aspects of each labor market: there are countries in which the mention of grades or GPA (Grade Point Average) is important when obtaining an academic degree, while there are companies in different countries that pay special attention to certain skills and hobbies (often not directly linked to the job).

For example, the general presentation of a Curriculum Vitae and the procedure for sending it also varies in Asian countries. The professional and cultural standards of each country must be considered. Even the length of the CV is important, as well as the number of sections into which it is divided. For example, in the United States and most of Europe, resumes (including summary or abstract) and CVs are not interchangeable, whereas in India, South Africa and Australia they are.

There are many issues to take into account when creating a multilingual CV that stands out from the rest. Therefore, there is nothing better than working with experienced professionals who not only know the source and target languages perfectly, but can also adapt the cover letter to the unique context in which it will be read.