Are you a bilingual or multilingual professional seeking new or better job opportunities? Increasing your chances of finding specific roles that align with your language skills requires research and persistence. Don’t worry! There are several ways to discover language-specific jobs using various resources.

The Power of Networking

One essential strategy to advance your career that cannot be missing in your playbook is networking. “People quickly notice others that have stronger capabilities to make them relevant. When you standout in both your expertise and the services you offer, it creates room for partnership which in turn builds a career,” (Miller). The key to shaping the career of your dreams largely lies in establishing trustworthy and enduring connections that yield reciprocal professional benefits. First, ask yourself, “Who knows about my foreign language skills?” Then, carefully identify people in your business circle who are aware of your powerful language capabilities. You can call on them to make warm introductions to their friends in other companies who just might need your language skills.

Job Boards for Multilingual Professionals

Other channels that can serve as valuable support systems and can provide updated information about language-specific jobs are local community organizations and job search websites. Cultural centers or entities that help migrant communities often offer resources for individuals who speak languages other than English and connect them with other service providers that also need multilingual teams. Meanwhile, job search websites like Multilingual Vacancies and Eurojobs, allow you to access job opportunities based on language or location. Additionally, professional organizations provide job listings and career resources that can aid in meeting your career goals. “Another reason to join a professional association is the access to continuing education opportunities like certifications and courses,” (National Science Teaching Association, NSTA).

In-person Events

Lastly, attending job fairs, joining social media groups or digital platforms like LinkedIn, as well as participating in community events are also valuable avenues for meeting people, building connections, and creating professional networks.

Growing Demand for Multilingual Employees

According to a study conducted for ACTFL, about two-thirds of employers outsource language service providers (LSPs) to fulfill their business’ foreign language needs. The study also revealed that the healthcare and social assistance sectors are the most likely to contract with LSPs, followed by manufacturing, professional and technical services, education services, and construction describing similar use of foreign languages. “As diversity in the U.S. increases and globalization continues at a breakneck pace, so will the demand for spoken-language interpreters. Job prospects are especially bright for those fluent in Chinese, German, Russian, Portuguese, and Spanish,” (U.S. News).  “Employment of interpreters and translators is projected to grow 20 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations,” (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Validating Your Language Skills

While building strong relationships is crucial, don’t overlook the importance of getting your language skills certified. Certification validates your language knowledge and skills everywhere you go.

Contact Language Testing International (LTI), a leader in providing language proficiency testing in 120+ languages. As an exclusive licensee of ACTFL language proficiency assessments, LTI administers valid and reliable language tests with the convenience of remote proctoring. With LTI, you can accurately assess your language skills in speaking, writing, listening, or reading anytime, anywhere, and obtain a valid certification that is recognized worldwide.

Sources

American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and the Lead with Languages Campaign commissioned Ipsos Public Affairs, with the support of Pearson LLC and Language Testing International. (2019). “Making Languages Our Business: Addressing Foreign Language Demand Among U.S. Employers.” https://www.actfl.org/uploads/files/general/MakingLanguagesOurBusiness_FullReport.pdf

Miller Cole, Bianca. “10 Reasons Why Networking Is Essential For Your Career.” Forbes. Mar 20, 2019. https://www.forbes.com/sites/biancamillercole/2019/03/20/why-networking-should-be-at-the-core-of-your-career/?sh=2a3a61fa1300

NSTA. National Science Teaching Association. “4 Ways a Professional Association Can Help You Find a Job”. https://careers.nsta.org/career-resources/find-the-job-1/4-ways-a-professional-association-can-help-you-find-a-job-1

U.S. News. Interpreter and Translator Overview. https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/interpreter-and-translator

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov

Madeline Martínez is a Multicultural Navigator Specialist at URBANDER, a Woman and Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) specializing in transforming businesses to advance humanity. URBANDER’s role is to serve as an extension of Marketing, Diversity, Human Resources, Procurement, Community Relations, and Social Responsibility teams, providing innovative approaches in the areas of strategic marketing, content development, workforce development, community outreach and IDEAS (inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and sustainability). Madeline holds a both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Communications from the University of Puerto Rico and is an experienced copywriter and content developer dedicated to amplifying the voices of URBANDER’s clients. From blogs and articles to social media posts and interviews, Madeline is a skilled writer across diverse topics integrating her marketing, business and academic acumen. Though her earlier work as a Publications Officer at the Inter American University in Puerto Rico, and her most recent performance as a Spanish Interpreter, Substitute Teacher, and Instructional Assistant for English-language learning elementary school students, Madeline has impacted countless families as they have navigated migrating to the U.S. from Spanish-speaking countries. As a bilingual professional, Madeline is also proficient in translating written documents from English to Spanish, and vice versa. She has received LTI issued ACTFL Language Proficiency Certificates in Spanish as follows: Advanced Writing, Advanced Listening, Advanced Reading and Superior Speaking. During her downtime, Madeline loves spending time with her family, and enjoys dancing, movies, photography, and coffee. She considers herself a continuous learner. “A well-educated mind will always have more questions than answers”- Helen Keller

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