There is more to learning a new language than just mere recreation. For some who grew up in a multilingual home, they find speaking more than one language to be a normal thing, but for job prospects, this is a huge advantage. When you include the fact that you know more than one language in your resume, you end up being shortlisted almost instantly. So, why miss out on the chance to learn a new language? For example, you might learn Chinese by getting yourself a native Chinese or Mandarin speaker as your teacher. Or how about learning Japanese from a native Japanese speaker in your area?
A Job Boost
Many companies now are conducting business online and thus serve an expansive global market. Most businesses will resort to improving business relations with the use of modern technology. That said, most companies who are hiring employees will look for a broader perspective. This means they would prefer applicants who will fit into a global landscape. As a bilingual job applicant, you will automatically stand out amongst a pool of applicants and have a better chance of landing an interview.
Many companies hire people who are bilingual for the following reasons:
One bilingual employee can expand the borders of a company to a global market, and more bilingual employees who speak other languages can mean expansion to the entire world.
It is easier for the company to localize a certain product, project or service with the help of a bilingual employee.
In addition, bilingual employees are more effective multitaskers and communicators
Elevated Skill Set for Various Employers
Being bilingual means that you have two sets of language rules already engraved in your brain. That is why your manner of interpreting information is different from those who only grew up learning one language. As a result, you end up having a brain wired for being open-minded. Chances are you can adapt more easily to challenges and situations and work harmoniously with employees, which is a plus for employers.
Higher Salary Prospects
If you’re still in college and you’re already considering the prospect of getting a high-paying job right after graduation, you might want to take this opportunity to learn a second language. Proficiency in a second language will land you higher-paying jobs even with barely any experience on your resume. You may lack some skills, but your talents and present skill set will be taken into consideration, allowing for some room to learn on the job.
Does it surprise you that bilinguals or multilinguals have a higher starting pay than those who only speak one language? Surveys show that bilinguals earn more, ranging from a 5 to 20% higher hourly rate than the base rate.
Increased Possibility of Working Abroad
Being bilingual (more so if you are multilingual) opens doors, especially in terms of overseas opportunities. You already have the upper hand when it comes to jobs, promotions and other opportunities because you have a skill that few can easily acquire due to a busy schedule.
Ease in Achieving High-Caliber Jobs
Have you noticed that most high-paid jobs like being a high-ranking employee in a company require you to be either bilingual or a polyglot? Knowing how to communicate effectively in a foreign language helps the company build bridges and expand towards a global market. That said, you become an asset who links the company to other revenue sources and even partners. So, as stated before, even if you do not have any work experience, your proficiency in speaking a second language can make up for the lack thereof.
A recent poll by Korn/Ferry International as reported by AOL Finance shows that out of more than 12,000 corporate executives, a third are bilingual. This does not include executives who know more than two languages which comprise an additional 31% of multilingual executives. This number is not exaggerated. It shows that in order to engage in international partnerships and business relations, effective communication needs to take place. Learning a second language can break that barrier.
That’s exactly why you should jump at the chance to hire a native private language tutor – an experienced language teacher – to help boost your resume with a second language!