Multilingual
Is there any value in the job market being multilingual? I have experience in retail banking (Teller and Customer Service Representative) and my resume shows that I’m fluent in Spanish and Portuguese but I’m not sure how much weight that carries with recruiters. I’ve never tried to negotiate a higher wage because of my other languages. Does this skill make me a more attractive applicant? If so, how can I use it to leverage my earning potential during the hiring process?
I speak English, Arabic and Assyrian languages if there is any opening in this regard I will be interesting to take a part time job.
In essence, the more languages you know; the more valuable you are to a possible employer. A lot of companies are looking for people who Spanish since Spanish is the 2nd most popular language in the US. The State Department looking for bi-lingual people all the time. If you know some of the Arabic languages then the NSA and CIA wants you. A lot of companies are looking for people fluent in Chinese.
YYe Shane, you should look into foreign relations or international travel. Go to federal government career website and see a multitude of jobs. Also: Look through the OOH- Occupational Outlook Handbook for careers involving foreign languages. Good luck!
Hi, Shane. You can also look at your local courthouse or hospitals as they have a need for simultaneous interpreters. And I have seen many customer service job postings with bilingual listed as "a plus" or "preferred." Good luck to you, and be proud of your talent!
Shane; I worked in IT (retired now) I'm bilingual English/Spanish . From experience your multilingual ability is only useful if a firm's clients or customers speak the other language For example when you are negotiating a contract or managing a project for Latin America companies, then the ability is very useful. I don't think you will be able to leverage the ability to garner more money. Normally language ability is a job requirement if it is relevant to performing your job function. I live in Florida I'll bet at least 33% of the population in my town is bilingual to some extent. Maybe if we were proficient in more exotic languages?
Those who can speak read and write in more than one language will be preferred candidates in many occupations. Typically in customer service, call center and some sales positions.
Shane, being multilingual in the business world is definitely an asset. At the last two companies that I worked, multilingual employees were additionally paid for real time verbal translation services (rather than using the language line) and written translation services (Google translate often makes me laugh since idioms are literally translated). I can't speak for everyone but I can also let you know that those last two companies I worked at gave written and verbal tests prior to bilingual acknowledgement and you may also be tested by a potential employer as to your proficiency. Leverage your asset by directing your applications to global companies whose client base will require a multilingual employee. Good luck in your search. As an aside, I worked at a company who had a client based in Brazil. A team manager rather naively noted that their contact could neither read nor write proper Spanish. He was later informed that Portuguese is the official language of Brazil. This is why multilingual employees are needed.
Shane,
If you have not highlighted the languages you are fluent in on your resume. Do so now and get the updated copy posted as soon as possible.
As other have recommended seek out jobs that are multilingual. The other option I would recommend is to search for translator positions.
Good luck, buena suerte and boa sorte!!! I am not fluent in Spanish or Portuguese but I have learned a few things.
All the best to you.
Try looking more for that specific requirement in the field of work your in. Also try out some of the multi national banks. Their always looking and the worst that happens will be a turn down. As far as using that for leverage...b carefull. Some employers may take it wrong. Be precise with the way you word it. Good luck Shane
We're living in a country where being bilingual is a very valuable asset not only do you have Spanish speaking abilities but you also have portuguese-speaking abilities now it does matter what kind of job and what kind of work that you're looking for and if you have the skills able to communicate that in a very real way keep giving your best don't accept second best. Negotiate negotiate and negotiate some more whenever that opportunity presents itself you can never go wrong with negotiation processes I wish you the best. Your next job may be just waiting right around the corner. :-)