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Whether English is your second language, you grew up speaking a different language at home, or maybe you’re the coolest person on Earth and speak several languages, people often don’t take into consideration that languages, especially being fluent in two or more, is an immense skill you can bring to the table! Bilingualism and multilingualism demonstrate to companies a plethora of things about you, and not adding this as a skill in your resume might have you missing out on career opportunities. Here are just some of the things speaking different languages say about you as a prospective candidate:
It Enhances Your Communication Skills
This point might be an obvious starter, but most people need to remember it. The first thing that comes to your mind might be that you have good communication skills because you can talk to non-English speakers, but that is only the surface level of it. Being multilingual is a sign that you are a proficient communicator because it enhances your understanding of different contexts and ways to respond to specific prompts. You can express yourself better than monolingual people can.
It Expands Your Cultural Awareness
Coming off another obvious point, you can connect with more people from different backgrounds and cultures. You can also contribute to your company and its DE&I (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) strategies, a sought-after department in the modern business world. And because people might have different ways of speaking a language, whether through regional slang or accents, you are introduced to so much more than just someone talking in the language they are comfortable in.
You are Flexible and can bring in New Perspectives
Flexibility is vital in the corporate world today, and proficiency in more than one language can demonstrate you are flexible in more ways than you think. For example, suppose you find yourself in a situation where a coworker cannot connect with someone because they do not speak English but speak a language you are fluent in. In that case, you can intervene as a translator and help them communicate more effectively. The same goes for traveling for work and navigating tasks where people might need to be more comfortable with English. Though these are only hypothetical, it is a fantastic backup to have.
Still Learning? It Counts!
Learning never stops in life. So, if you’ve read something similar to “learning a language or new skill is harder when you’re older,” note that it’s NEVER too late! Companies also know this and commend people who strive to learn new things every day, even if it is “past their prime.”
Language skills seem like basic skills, but they can help you so much in recruiting and hiring! So whether you speak more than one language or are learning one, good luck!
