Top 4 Reasons for Being Bilingual in the Workplace

Hispanic influence in the US is growing bigger by the day, and catering for the Latino consumer is a must for any growing business. Workplace diversity is thriving and we’re here for it. But what does this mean for you? Plainly put, you need to amp up your Spanish game if you haven’t already, because today, bilingual competence is an invaluable asset in the job market.

If you’re fresh off college and hunting for a job, you might want to read this.

Benefits of Being Bilingual in the Workplace

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Bilingual Proficiency in Your Resume

As a result of today’s multilingual and multicultural market, having a second language listed on your resume can make you stand out and place your resume at the top of the pile. If it comes down to applicants who have similar experience and training, knowing Spanish will definitely give you an edge.

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If you happen to know that an interviewer is a Spanish speaker, don’t be afraid to show your skills, it might help you build a great rapport with a potential employer.

Companies Going Global

With businesses expanding internationally, employers’ need to hire multilingual staff is more pressing than ever.

Business travel and networking play a big part in any marketer that wants to reach a wider client base, and languages are key. More often than not, employers will task you with negotiating terms or making sales and connections abroad if you already speak the target language. A bilingual speaker is generally used to navigating different cultures and can, therefore, help bridge the gap between foreign companies.

Differential Pay

Much like everything, languages have a value in business; the rarer the language, the higher the pay. So even going for a third language will obviously increase your chances of landing a dream position. If, however, your ambitions don’t reach that level, Spanish alone will get you far. Because it is the second most spoken language in the US, Spanish won’t bring the highest salary bump. But Spanish is the highest in demand and will continue to be as the Latino buying power continues to grow strong.

Bear in mind, though, that this applies to positions where the use of another language is required. If you are bilingual, but your job doesn’t call for it, you probably won’t be eligible for a raise.

Qualities Employers Look for

Even when applying for positions that don’t necessarily require a second language, employers know that speakers of foreign languages present must-have qualities in today’s global community. Adaptability, cultural fluency, focus, and multitasking are skills long associated with bilingualism. And they so happen to be most advantageous in the workplace.

So How Can You Improve Your Spanish?

Ever wondered how some people can make learning a language look so easy? Everyone has a different learning process. Don’t throw in the towel, sometimes you may not see it, but the advance might be greater than you think. So don’t be afraid to try new methods, find out what works for you.