German language level on the CV. When should you write B2 or C1?

We can advise you on how to determine the right level of a foreign language?Nowadays, it is common to speak a second language. In the past, only Russian was taught, later it was displaced by English, which is a kind of foundation. Over time, English has been joined by German as a second language, and languages such as Spanish, French or Italian are a current trend in schools. At msg life Slovakia we require mainly German, but work does not have to be the only reason to expand your language skills. Why learn a foreign language and how can I find out what is my language proficiency level?

We at msg life Slovakia are clear about this. German is our basic language. We are a subsidiary of the German parent company and besides, most of our customers come from the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). Our work would be very difficult without knowledge of foreign languages. We communicate daily not only with our customers, but also with our colleagues from Germany and Austria. Of course, you don’t need to speak German at the highest fluency level to be part of our company. The requirement for foreign languages and their level of language proficiency varies from position to position.

What is the required German language proficiency for each position?

If you join msg life Slovakia as an IT tester consultant, you are smart and you have a desire to learn new things, you can eventually, like our colleague Gabika, work your way up to the position of Business Process IT consultant. For both positions, the requirement of German language fluency is B2 level. However, level C1 would be ideal as it is about real communication with the customer. It is the same for an automated tester – a specialist.

For the position of Java programmer senior, you can get by with an excellent knowledge of German or English. German language is a great advantage for this position. In one of the interviews our colleague Jaro says : “Of course, I communicate with all our team members, our testers and I am also in daily contact with my colleagues from Germany.”

For a complete list of positions and all language, technical and personality requirements, please see the Jobs – Vacancies section.

Why not lie about your language skills levels on your CV

It is not advisable to lie about the your skillson your CV (read about resume skills tips to improve your CV), because sooner or later the employer will find out. At msg life Slovakia, we always test foreign language skills, either by a test or by questions that the candidate answers. It has happened to us many times that we have invited a candidate for an interview on the basis of their C1 level of German and after a short moment we have found out that their German is at most at B1 level. In this case, we have no reason to move the candidate to the next round. Both the candidate and our busy HR colleagues lost time.

Job applicants often don’t know what level of language to put on their CV. If you graduated at B1 level and have not used German for years since then, it is advisable to state a lower level. On the other hand, if you have improved your German, don’t be afraid to put on your resume a higher level. Remember to always state the current level.

But how do I know which category of language proficiency I fall into?

It is best to indicate the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, or CEFR for short, on your CV. It distinguishes three broad areas of language pro ficiency (A,B,C), which are divided into two levels (1,2).

Level A represents a basic knowledge of :

• A1 – beginner (at this level, the person understands and can use everyday expressions, can introduce himself, etc.).
• A2 – basic proficiency (understands sentences related to his/her field, can communicate in simple and routine tasks…).

Level B represents autonomy:

• B1 – intermediate-advanced (at this level, a person should have no problem coping with most situations while travelling and can produce a simple continuous text).
• B2 – intermediate (at B2 level, a person can already communicate fluently on concrete, abstract but also technical topics and can react spontaneously).

Level C represents proficiency in the language:

• C1 – advanced (level C1 allows you to express your thoughts coherently and spontaneously, you can understand more complex sentences and speak fluently without searching for words).
• C2 – proficiency at the highest level (at this level, a person understands practically everything they read or hear, is able to summarize information from several sources and present it coherently).

If you now know which language category you fall into, feel free to browse our job offers and choose the one that would be suitable for you. We are currently looking for colleagues with German as well as English language skills in the IT and insurance industry. If you would like to work in a similar segment, don’t hesitate to send us your CV!

German language courses as a benefit

Often we also encounter the situation where the candidate has learned German in the past, but has forgotten a large part of it by not using it. If the candidate wishes to renew their communication skills in German, they have the option of attending a German language course, which is provided and paid for by the company. In addition, half of each lesson counts towards your working hours, and you have the opportunity to receive a certificate from the Goethe Institute upon successful completion of the course.

The reason to learn a foreign language is not just to work at msg life Slovakia. Knowing more than one foreign language broadens our horizons, helps build relationships, exercises the brain and helps boost confidence. The reasons to learn German were discussed in one of our articles.