Language Qualifications

[Anonymous]

I just got a lead on a job where I can tick off all of the skill and experience related requirements. However, they also require "proficiency" in one of languages X, y or z (not fluency).

I grew up in country X. I became fluent and could have entered college in country X having passed the language exam required of all non-native speakers. Here's the problem:

A) this was a long time ago and without practice, skills and vocabulary have deteriorated.

B) As a result of chemo and radiation, my otic nerves are shot and I wear hearing aids. While I can hear, sometimes word distinction is a problem
In English. It will clearly be more of a problem with a foreign language.

C) For similar reasons related to chemo, cancer and surgery, speaking may be a bit problematic for some time.

D) While I can read language X well enough, since my only writing is short handed Internet/email writing to friends, I am not sure I would say I'm "proficient".

Go for it or just pass. It is an American organization, if that helps.

[Anonymous]

Frankly, it depends a bit on the language. Is it a language in which it is difficult to find native speakers? An "in-demand" one? Can you brush up on it between now and then, and work on your fluency again?

Spanish, I'd say pass. Estonian, go ahead.

FWIW, I'm a native speaker of a not-so-in-demand language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just got a lead on a job where I can tick off all of the skill and experience related requirements. However, they also require "proficiency" in one of languages X, y or z (not fluency).

I grew up in country X. I became fluent and could have entered college in country X having passed the language exam required of all non-native speakers. Here's the problem:

A) this was a long time ago and without practice, skills and vocabulary have deteriorated.

B) As a result of chemo and radiation, my otic nerves are shot and I wear hearing aids. While I can hear, sometimes word distinction is a problem
In English. It will clearly be more of a problem with a foreign language.

C) For similar reasons related to chemo, cancer and surgery, speaking may be a bit problematic for some time.

D) While I can read language X well enough, since my only writing is short handed Internet/email writing to friends, I am not sure I would say I'm "proficient".

Go for it or just pass. It is an American organization, if that helps.

I always view these types of things as a list of all the things they'd like in an ideal world/candidate. If you don't fit every single item, I would certainly still apply. No need to take yourself out of the running for them!! A caveat would be of course for translation and interpreter type jobs, which obviously would require fluency.

[Anonymous]

I'd absolutely apply for it. I'm hiring for a position right now that absolutely requires fluency in a certain (shockingly difficult to find) language, and the reading/writing is way more important than the speaking.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I should emphasize that the non-language skills are specialized and by the nature of the work you wouldn't find a lot done in DC. Mostly NYC and London. But mostly NYC. And the operative components of the job would all be English.

And no, it's not Estonian . Nor is it Spanish or French.

[Anonymous]

You sound quite "proficient" at the language. I think it is not stretching the truth to say that you grew up in the country, read and write the language sufficiently to communicate via e-mail with a native speaker. You may not be "fluent", but that is not one of the job criteria.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the feedback. I think I will give it a shot. I just too often feel like an imposter if I don't meet a qualification.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the feedback. I think I will give it a shot. I just too often feel like an imposter if I don't meet a qualification.

Don't! If you had every single qualification you would actually be over qualified.