{"id":2297,"date":"2023-05-02T02:08:25","date_gmt":"2023-05-02T02:08:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.languagetesting.com\/blog\/?p=2297"},"modified":"2024-07-09T18:33:09","modified_gmt":"2024-07-09T18:33:09","slug":"climb-up-the-ladder-with-your-language-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.languagetesting.com\/blog\/climb-up-the-ladder-with-your-language-skills\/","title":{"rendered":"Climb Up the Ladder with Your Language Skills"},"content":{"rendered":"

Advancing in your career as a bilingual or multilingual employee<\/a> may start by showcasing your language skills during performance reviews while highlighting your unique abilities and contributions to your employer. You may have been gaining experience in your current role and now you are ready to find new opportunities and expand your job responsibilities as well as your salary.<\/p>\n

Certify Your Language Skills Today<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Provide Specific Examples<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Start by providing specific examples of how you\u2019ve used your language skills to benefit your team or company. Have you successfully communicated with clients or colleagues in their native language, resulting in positive outcomes? Share those success stories where your language skills have helped bridge language barriers, negotiated deals, or solved problems. \u201cIn addition to highlighting your proficiency in specific platforms and tools, you also need to think about how other experiences\u2014even ones you may take for granted\u00ad\u2014can advance your career,\u201d (Spielberger). This includes your language proficiency in more than one language.<\/p>\n

It is important to make sure that your employer is aware of those efforts that have had a positive impact on the organization. If you have taken on responsibilities such as translating documents, interpreting for meetings, or training colleagues in a foreign language, don\u2019t forget to mention it. These are additional projects that require language proficiency and may not have been part of your job description when you first got hired.<\/p>\n

Read more: How to Include Language Skills on Your Resume<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Get Feedback from Others<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Seek feedback from colleagues or clients who have communicated with you in the language(s) you command to reinforce your abilities as a bilingual or multilingual professional. The reactions of others in how your language skills have helped them in their work or collaboration is very important. Highlight those instances where your linguistic adaptability and cultural sensitivity have been used with international clients or customers in the professional setting, if applicable. Emphasize the ability to switch effectively between languages based on the needs of your coworkers, customers, or assignments, especially in customer service or translations roles.<\/p>\n

Continue Your Growth<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The value you bring to your organization as a bilingual or multilingual professional deserves to be recognized. Showcase your commitment and efforts to continue learning, express your willingness to assist colleagues with language-related tasks, and contribute beyond your regular job duties. Demonstrate your intention to keep growing personally and professionally by enrolling in language courses and seminars or obtaining certifications. If you have taken some of these steps already, don\u2019t forget to share it with your employer during the performance reviews as well.<\/p>\n

Read more: Make Your Streak Worth It<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Proficient? Prove It with a Language Proficiency Certificate<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It is worth noting that according to a study conducted for ACTFL<\/a>, Spanish<\/a>, Chinese<\/a>, and French<\/a> are the top three languages most in-demand among U.S employers. If you speak one of them fluently, you are already a step ahead. If you haven\u2019t obtained your ACTFL language certification yet and want to accurately assess your language proficiency to advance your career, order a test from Language Testing International\u00ae (LTI)<\/a>, a global leader in providing assessment of language proficiency in over 60 countries and 120 languages. With LTI you can certify your language proficiency in reading, speaking, writing, and\/or listening, and tests are remotely proctored online for your convenience.<\/p>\n

Watch: Your Language, Your Career. Certify your bilingual skills and give your career a boost.<\/strong><\/p>\n