Should your resume be in English or in the local office language?

Hi there,

Q: When applying to an office where the local language is not English, should your CV be in English or in the local language?

When I applied in Italy to MBB and Tier 2, all my documents were in English. In general a CV in English has the following benefits:

1. Gives more flexibility if you put different preferences in terms of locations for the same company
2. Allows to have a single document to edit if you apply locally and abroad to different companies
3. Shows you have good English knowledge

Having said that, if you apply via referral (which is highly recommended) you can ask them what they would suggest for your specific target country/company and be sure you are following the local rules.

You can find more on referrals below:

▶ How to Get an MBB Invitation

▶ The Exact Steps to Get a Referral

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi there,

Let me just list out the rules for all 197 countries!

Jokes aside (the lesson here being to be concise/direct!), this really does dopend on the country.

As a general rule, your resume should be in the language that that office predominantly uses (i.e. interviews in). However, this is just one of many benefits of networking…while you network (which you should be doing), ask this question and you'll get your answer!

Hi there,

I think this is an interesting question that may be relevant for many people. I would be happy to share my thoughts on it:

• While English application files are typically not an issue, it really depends on the specific requirements of the region, country, and company to which you are applying.
• To be certain, I would advise you to reach out to the recruiting team to inquire about their preferred language for applications.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare your application, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hello A,

You should always provide your documents, including your CV, in English when applying to an MMB office even if the local language is not English. English is the common language used in the consulting industry, and it is likely that all consultants at the firm, regardless of location, are fluent in English. Providing your documents in English ensures that they can be easily understood and evaluated by all members of the recruiting team.

Best of luck!

In general, any of them is fine. English gives you the advantage that you know how to write a resume in English. However, this will not impact your chances of getting an interview.

It depends on the company you submit your resume to, if it's a company with no foreign elements, only operating in the country, you should write in the regional language. If a large multinational company operates widely, you should write in English.