Anonymous
05/26/2016 10:02
Subject: Language Qualifications
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.
Anonymous
05/25/2016 13:58
Subject: Language Qualifications
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
05/25/2016 13:45
Subject: Language Qualifications
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
05/25/2016 13:19
Subject: Language Qualifications
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.
And no, it's not Estonian
. Nor is it Spanish or French.
Anonymous
05/25/2016 13:16
Subject: Language Qualifications
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
05/25/2016 13:14
Subject: Language Qualifications
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
05/25/2016 13:04
Subject: Re:Language Qualifications
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.
Spanish, I'd say pass. Estonian, go ahead.
FWIW, I'm a native speaker of a not-so-in-demand language.
Anonymous
05/25/2016 13:01
Subject: Language Qualifications
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 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.