You found an exciting job posting, submitted your application, and made the shortlist. Now that it’s time to attend the interview, questions about pay expectations will likely arise. Bilingual speakers often bring additional value to a company, and you want to receive fair compensation for your skills.
If the thought of negotiating your salary feels intimidating, read on to learn how to assess the value of your communication and language skills and acquire salary negotiation techniques for attractive remuneration.
Why Bilingual Employees Are Valuable
As the world becomes more connected, hiring bilingual employees is more than beneficial — it’s crucial for companies to remain competitive. Businesses that employ staff with advanced communication and language skills can experience numerous advantages, such as:
- Cost savings
- Increased team diversity
- Improved soft skills
- Better customer service
- A more accessible online presence
Bilingual employees are beneficial across industries, yet some businesses have a greater need for these skills. These are some examples of industries and businesses that often depend on bilingual staff:
- Hospitals: Medical staff proficient in more than one language can assist patients in getting the care they need.
- Schools: Even if you’re not employed to teach languages, offering students support in their first language can be advantageous if the school has a student population that largely speaks more than one language.
- Local governments: Municipalities and local councils with bilingual representatives help to interpret resident concerns more accurately.
- Legal offices: The ability to explain the implications of a legal document in someone’s first language enables them to better understand their rights.
- Multinational companies: From recruitment to supply chain management, international corporations strengthen their employee relationships with bilingual staff.
Aside from the practical role bilingual staff play in communicating with customers and colleagues, proficiency in two languages also indicates valuable soft skills. Mastering an additional language requires hard work and commitment — both skills are highly attractive in any workplace. In addition, a willingness to learn another language reflects increased cultural acceptance.
Due to the value they can bring to a company, bilingual candidates need to negotiate their salary to ensure fair compensation. While perks like flexibility and professional development are important, fair and equal pay remains a driving force behind employee satisfaction. Ultimately, you want to be compensated appropriately for the skills you have to offer.
Do You Get Paid More if You're Bilingual?
If your job requires proficiency in two languages, there’s likely to be no difference in your salary. For example, a French teacher may need to be proficient in French and English if their students speak English as their first language.
However, if your bilingual skills bring additional value to the company but are not required for the role, your salary could — and should — reflect that skill. Businesses generally recognize bilingual employees’ impact on their operations, which is why they often pay them up to 20% more an hour than staff members who speak only one language.
Certification Benefits
If you’re planning to market yourself as a bilingual professional, it’s worth obtaining a certification from a reputable proficiency testing provider. As companies can receive hundreds of job applications for a position, a language certification helps you immediately stand out.
Just as university qualifications can equate to a higher position on a company’s pay scale, language accreditations help to ensure more attractive employment offers at the onset. With an internationally recognized certification, you’re also more empowered to handle salary negotiations with future employers.
Language Testing International® is the official licensee of ACTFL language assessment tests. Several educational institutes, government agencies, and large corporations around the world acknowledge ACTFL proficiency assessments. Certifying your language skill through an ACTFL test through LTI® can give you an advantage in the negotiation process.
Salary Negotiation Techniques for Bilingual Professionals
You’ve worked hard to learn how to speak, listen, write, and read in an international language, and your salary should reflect your ability if you plan to use it in your career. Many candidates feel hesitant to discuss compensation during the hiring process. A survey by Glassdoor found that 54% of surveyed individuals did not negotiate their most recent salary.
However, negotiating is a crucial part of ensuring you are paid adequately based on your skills. If you don’t negotiate your potential salary, you risk being paid less than you’re worth as an employee. This process can also set up a positive relationship between you and your potential future employer — an employee with professional, competent negotiation skills is one any employer will respect.
Here are some salary negotiation considerations and techniques to remember:
- Investigate market-related salaries: The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics will help you determine how much people in similar roles earn on average. If you have a connection at the company you’re applying to, consider asking them for insights into the pay structure. When you have a clear idea of how much you should be making, you can negotiate for a more suitable amount.
- Allow the employer to start the conversation: While compensation is an essential part of any job, your employer wants to see that you’re excited to add value to the team. Your potential employer will likely begin discussing your compensation package first. Wait for them to do so before you start negotiations to help ensure you’re coming across professionally.
- Take time to consider the offer: There’s often no need to accept an offer on the spot. Politely ask if you can contemplate the offer for a few days, so you can do more research if needed and feel more confident about your decision.
- Weigh other benefits: Factor in the role’s benefits package and performance incentives. You can also consider the company’s work culture and environment. If you value all of those factors more than your salary, you may not feel the need to negotiate for a higher paycheck.
- Open negotiations: Once you have all the required information and you’ve had a chance to consider the offer, you can suggest a new salary figure. Substantiate why you deserve a higher amount by referencing your experience and skills and the value they will offer the company. When you and the employer have reached an agreement, be sure to get the new offer in writing.
Continuing to Enhance Your Language Skills Through Your Career
As many companies review salary structures annually, keeping your bilingual skills proficient could qualify you for future raises. One of the most effective ways to do this is to sit for periodic ACTFL proficiency assessments in speaking, writing, listening, and reading. Showing your employer updated assessment results will assure your employer of your proficiency and can help you justify higher wages. In addition, these results give you a good indication of your language level, helping you identify areas for improvement.
Elevate Your Career With Language Proficiency Certification
Many companies are looking to hire bilingual employees, as they help them expand across borders and reach new customers. As a bilingual speaker, you deserve to receive the right compensation for the additional value you bring to the team. Whether you’re interviewing for a new role or coming up on a performance review, salary negotiation techniques can help you ensure your company pays you what you’re worth.
Language Testing International is a world-renowned proficiency testing company offering ACTFL assessments in various formats. Quantifying your language skills can enable you to apply for more jobs, earn higher salaries, and say yes to new opportunities. Empower yourself to enter salary negotiations with confidence by obtaining ACTFL certification today.
