By Vahid Alaghehband
Short answer. Many employers don't settle for "intermediate English" on a CV: they interview you in English or ask for a verifiable result. The most widely recognized are Cambridge English, the TOEFL (ETS) and the Michigan MET; TOEIC, Linguaskill and Versant are also used for work, and IELTS for studying abroad. Before you pay, ask the employer which test and score they accept, and check your level with the Vozi Exam diagnostic by HelloVozi to see how far you are.
How employers check English
The largest study on the topic is English at Work (Cambridge English and QS, 2016), a survey of 5,373 employers in 38 countries. Its findings:
- 98.5% of employers use at least one method to check candidates' English.
- The most common method is an interview in English. Just over a quarter use an external test.
- In countries where English is not the native language, job tasks mostly require advanced (49%) or intermediate (33%) English.
- About half of employers offer better starting packages to applicants with good English.
So it pays to prepare on two fronts: a verifiable result and the ability to handle an interview in English. HelloVozi helps with both: Vozi Exam gives you a reference for your level and Vozi Coach lets you practice the speaking part.
The most common certificates for work
| Test | What it measures | Format | Result | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A2 Key, B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 AdvancedCambridge English | All 4 skills | At an authorized centre; one exam per level | Cambridge scale and CEFR level | Does not expire; each organization decides how long it accepts it |
| TOEFL iBTETS | All 4 skills (academic) | At an authorized centre or from home | 1–6 scale | 2 years |
| MET (Michigan English Test)Michigan Language Assessment | All 4 skills (grammar is part of reading) | Digital, at an authorized centre or from home in some countries; about 155 minutes | 0 to 80 per section, A2 to C1; results in about 5 days | Does not expire; each organization decides how long it accepts it |
| TOEIC Listening & ReadingETS | Listening and reading in a work context | 200 questions in about 2 hours | 10 to 990 points, aligned with the CEFR (A1–C1) | 2 years |
| TOEIC Speaking & WritingETS | Speaking and writing | Separate test | 0 to 200 per skill | 2 years |
| Linguaskill (General or Business)Cambridge English | All 4 skills, in modules | Online and adaptive: reading and listening 60–85 min, writing 45 min, speaking 15 min | CEFR level; all skills within 48 hours | Set by each employer |
| Versant ProfessionalPearson | All 4 skills with workplace tasks | Online: 58 questions in about 60 minutes | GSE scale from 10 to 90 | Set by each employer |
| IELTSIDP and British Council | All 4 skills (academic or general) | At an authorized centre | Bands 0 to 9 | 2 years |
| EF SET 50EF | Reading and listening only | Online, free, 50 minutes | CEFR level | Check whether the employer accepts it |
Our guides to the TOEFL and IELTS vs TOEFL cover those two tests in detail.
What English level do employers ask for?
It depends on the role. As a guide:
- "Intermediate English" usually means B1 or B2: you can take part in meetings on familiar topics and write clear emails.
- "Advanced English" usually means C1: you work fluently in English, including on complex topics.
- In customer service, sales and tourism, speaking matters most; in finance or tech, reading and writing.
If the job ad doesn't state the level, ask. And if it says "B2", check what that means in our guide to English levels.
How to choose a certificate
- Ask what they accept. That decides everything: the test, the minimum score and how recent the result must be.
- Check which skills it measures. A reading-and-listening test doesn't show that you can speak.
- Look at validity. Many results are accepted for 2 years; Cambridge certificates don't expire, but each employer decides.
- Compare format and timing. Linguaskill and Versant are online; other tests are taken at a centre on fixed dates.
How to prepare with HelloVozi
| Step | What to do | With HelloVozi |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check your level before paying for an official test | Vozi Exam: diagnostic of the four skills and Use of English |
| 2 | Review the grammar you find hardest | Vozi Grammar |
| 3 | Prepare for the interview, the most common method | Vozi Coach: spoken answers with feedback at the end |
| 4 | Practice the format of the test you'll take | With each test's official materials |
For the interview, you also have 10 common questions with model answers in English for job interviews.
HelloVozi does not issue official certificates: certification comes from each test's organization.
Next step: if you don't know your level, take the English level test (about 15 minutes, with instant results). To keep working on this topic, see Vozi Exam's English level check and exam practice.
Frequently asked questions
Which English certificate do employers ask for most?
It depends on the country and sector. The most widely recognized are Cambridge English, the TOEFL and the Michigan MET; TOEIC, Linguaskill and Versant are also used for work. Ask which one they accept before you pay.
How long is an English certificate valid?
TOEIC, IELTS and TOEFL results are usually accepted for 2 years. Cambridge certificates and MET results don't expire, but each organization decides how long it accepts them.
Is the EF SET useful for a job?
It can be a reference on your CV, but it only measures reading and listening. If the employer asks for an official test, it doesn't replace it.
How can I know my level before paying for a test?
The Vozi Exam diagnostic by HelloVozi gives you an indicative reference in the four skills and Use of English. It isn't a certificate, but it shows you what to work on.
What level is "intermediate English"?
It usually means CEFR B1 or B2. Always ask for the exact level.
