English Level on a CV: The Right Way to Write It
On a modern CV, your English level should be indicated using the CEFR scale (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) — not vague phrases like "fluent", "native speaker" or "school level". The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is the official European standard used by recruiters, ATS systems, and certification bodies across Switzerland, France, Germany and the broader EU. Swiss and European recruiters expect formats like "English: C1" or "English: B2 (TOEIC 850)". Stand-alone claims of "fluent English" are read as vague and often inflated — recruiters know that a majority of candidates self-report as "fluent" while tested at B1 or B2.
The 6 CEFR levels — what each one actually means
- A1 — Beginner. Simple phrases, personal introductions, survival vocabulary. Don't list A1 on a professional CV — it sends a negative signal.
- A2 — Elementary. Basic conversations, simple instructions. Only list if relevant (a secondary language rarely used).
- B1 — Intermediate. Standard emails, simple meetings, comprehension of news. Minimum level for international roles.
- B2 — Upper intermediate. Technical meetings, simple negotiations, prepared presentations. Expected for most mid-level roles in Switzerland.
- C1 — Advanced. Smooth work in English, complex negotiations, spontaneous presentations. Required for international roles, private banking, senior tech, consulting.
- C2 — Mastery. Near-native level. Avoid unless you are truly bilingual — recruiters test this in interviews.
Equivalences with standardised tests
| CEFR | TOEIC | TOEFL iBT | Cambridge | IELTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B1 | 550-780 | 42-71 | PET (140-159) | 4.0-5.0 |
| B2 | 785-940 | 72-94 | FCE (160-179) | 5.5-6.5 |
| C1 | 945+ | 95-120 | CAE (180-199) | 7.0-8.0 |
| C2 | – | – | CPE (200+) | 8.5-9.0 |
If you hold an official certificate (TOEIC, TOEFL, Cambridge, IELTS), state it alongside: "English: C1 (TOEIC 920, 2024)". The year matters: a test under 3 years old stays credible, older ones are discounted.
Three accepted CV formats
Format 1 — single line in the Languages section
English: C1 — read, written, spoken
Format 2 — with certification and year
English: C1 (Cambridge CAE, 187/210, 2023)
Format 3 — compact table for a multilingual CV
| Language | CEFR level | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| French | Native | – |
| English | C1 | TOEIC 920 (2024) |
| German | B2 | Goethe-Zertifikat B2 (2022) |
Classic mistakes to avoid
- Claiming "bilingual" without being truly bilingual. Recruiters will switch to English mid-interview. If you can't hold a fluent conversation, the inflation is visible within 2 minutes.
- Writing "fluent" without a CEFR. Too vague. At minimum add the level: "English: C1 (fluent)".
- Over-declaring your level. B2 claiming C1: exposed in a technical interview. Better to show your real level and invest in progression.
- Listing a 15-year-old TOEIC. Low credibility. If you rely on it, include the year and add one sentence on your current English usage.
- "Notions" or "school level". Corresponds to A1/A2 — better to omit unless the language is truly relevant to the role.
Swiss and European specificities
Swiss and EU job postings typically mention CEFR levels explicitly — "English C1 required" or "English B2 minimum". ATS systems filter on these exact keywords. Writing "fluent English" without the CEFR code may cause automatic filtering-out of otherwise strong candidates. Mirror the exact level required by the posting whenever you can legitimately claim it.
Frequently asked questions
Not alone. Always pair with a CEFR level: "English: C1 (fluent)".
TOEIC 800 ≈ B2+ / C1. TOEIC 900+ = solid C1.
Yes for stays of 6+ months: "Academic exchange of 12 months in London (courses in English)". Short trips do not count.
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