Are you thinking of learning a language? Well it seems you aren’t alone. While the U.S. has always been a monolingual country; analysis shows that the amount of bilinguals has almost doubled since 1980. Many are recognizing that speaking an additional language can help to connect them with people from different generations and cultures, as well as diversifying their job opportunities.
Indeed, with more organizations pushing for global growth, further research reveals that employers in the U.S. increasingly want to hire individuals who can speak multiple languages. The ultimate goal is to equip the next generation of professionals with the skills they need to succeed in the global economy.
So what does this mean for your career? Well, it suggests that if you do learn a new language, you might just boost your chances of securing a new job, with higher pay. With that in mind, this article will go into more detail and explain the five key career benefits of learning a language.
1. Secure More Job Opportunities
Learning a language means you’ll essentially gain a new skill; something you should always seek to do throughout your career. What’s more, you’ll open yourself up to more job opportunities, as you’ll have a competitive edge against other candidates.
Nowadays, more companies are looking to recruit bilingual candidates. This is because the world is becoming global and organizations are reliant on individuals who can speak two or more languages to help drive their businesses forward.
One particular job you could look into after learning a new language is a translator or interpreter. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for these roles is expected to grow by 18 percent over the next seven years; far faster than any other occupation. This means there are some fantastic job prospects out there for people who can convert information from one language to another.
2. Give Yourself a Competitive Edge
As mentioned above, learning a language can help you to stand out amongst other job hunters. Particularly if the job you’re applying or interviewing for is reliant on this skill.
Even if it’s not, it’s a great point to add to your resume, or to bring up in interviews. You never know when it will come in handy and it’s a great talking point to speak about with employers.
What’s more, being able to learn a new language is actually pretty impressive. It shows commitment, dedication and hard work; especially if you balance it with your work and/or studies. So, learning a new language is a sure-fire way to impress hiring managers.
3. Earn a Higher Salary
One of the main career benefits of learning a language is the fact that you could earn yourself a higher salary; especially if the language you learn is quite niche. Employers are prepared to pay more for individuals who have a unique set of skills that will benefit their company.
This means that now is a great time to consider learning a language; especially if you want to boost your pay packet. Just be aware that there’s no immediate promise of a pay rise. You need to show your value and prove that you’re worth investing in; especially if you’re hoping for a wage increase in your current role.
4. Receive Development Opportunities
Your boss is more likely to invest in you if they can see you’re keen to develop your career in their company. Showing a commitment to learning a language suggests to them that you want to progress in your career; which is exactly what they want to see.
So, whether you’re considering learning a language, or you’re well on your way to being bilingual, make sure you share this information with them. You never know, they may be exploring business opportunities in a new market where your new found skill would be beneficial.
Alongside this, development opportunities always come naturally when you learn a new skill. That’s why it’s important to constantly explore new ways to boost your career and stand out from other candidates.
5. Find Global Work
Finally, it’s no secret that being bilingual can help you to find global work. If you’re considering working overseas and really want to improve your chances of securing a job in a foreign country, then learning a language can be hugely beneficial.
Alongside this, if you’re already working for a global organisation, but are currently located in the U.S., your boss may be more open to putting you forward for other roles within the business if you’re bilingual.
What Language Should I Learn?
Hopefully, you might have an idea of what language you want to learn. But if not, it may be worth looking at the languages that are most in demand. In fact, according to analysis, the top languages to learn right now (aside from English) include: Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Russian, French, Japanese and Hindi.
Of course, the difficulty varies massively amongst these; with Spanish, German, French and Portuguese are considered as some of the easier languages to learn. But, if you fancy challenging yourself with a bit of Chinese or Arabic, this will really impress employers!
Consider Learning a Language
Over all, it’s clear that becoming bilingual can help to boost your career. With more businesses pushing for global growth, many employers are keen to hire individuals who can speak an additional language. Doing so can not only help you to find more job opportunities, but also earn more and develop in your career.
Deciding what language to learn is a good place to start; but make sure it’s one that’s achievable. It will require a lot of time and effort on your part, but it could be very rewarding later down the line; good luck!
