If you are a bilingual or multilingual professional looking for industries and companies that highly value foreign language skills, it is essential to adopt a strategic approach to effectively identify and target these organizations. This process involves various steps as well as maintaining a proactive mindset to maximize opportunities.<\/p>\n
Certify Your Language Skills Today<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Industries that commonly incorporate diverse language groups into their workforce include international businesses, hospitality and tourism, multinational corporations, language teaching, global non-governmental organizations (NGOs), or any sector with a strong international presence or in need of translation and interpretation. \u201cHealth care positions like pediatricians, neurologists, and physician assistants also ranked highly \u2013an understandable trend, considering that being able to communicate medical issues with a diverse community of patients could be a prized skill at hospitals and private practices,\u201d (Sweet).<\/p>\n Once you have identified your field of interest and\/or potential companies, leverage online resources to gather information about those specific organizations. Look for specific companies that emphasize foreign language skills as preferred qualifications in their company profiles or job postings. During company research or the exploration of their websites, take into consideration the type of partnerships they promote, their commitment to language diversity, and which foreign languages they require proficiency for within their ranks.<\/p>\n \u201cInteracting with clients and customers around the world has become part of doing business at many companies, including small operations with just a few employees. Thanks to the ability to connect instantly with global customers, as well as with new employees and freelancers who are working remotely, employers are recognizing the importance of hiring talent who can communicate in languages beyond English,\u201d (Ora).<\/p>\n A national survey conducted for ACTFL, reveals that the demand for foreign language skills remains high across most sectors and company sizes. The report highlights that while the construction, healthcare, and social assistance sectors exhibit the most significant reliance on foreign language skills, they also report the greatest skills gap.<\/p>\n Build a network of professionals within your target industries as a valuable complement to your job search efforts. Networking is crucial, as the interaction can lead to referrals or uncover job opportunities that have not been announced publicly. Stay informed about the latest trends in the market and be open to exploring new roles or sectors compatible with your foreign language skills, as these can yield fruitful results.<\/p>\n Flexibility and persistence are essential to remain competitive in any field. It is crucial to follow up with companies after submitting applications and attending interviews to position yourself as a valuable bilingual multilingual asset. The ability to adapt to new market demands and stay up to date in your foreign language skills are key components to establish yourself as a valuable multilingual professional.<\/p>\n If you are determined to improve and measure the proficiency of your language skills to better position yourself for new opportunities, consider reaching out to Language Testing International (LTI)<\/a>. As the exclusive licensee of ACTFL, LTI is a world leader in administering language proficiency testing<\/a>. Only LTI administers ACTFL language proficiency assessments, which are reliable and valid and come with the official ACTFL language proficiency certificate. LTI provides language assessments in over 120 languages. The tests are remotely proctored and can be scheduled at any time and anywhere.<\/p>\n Sources: <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n 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. <\/em>(2019). \u201cMaking Languages Our Business: Addressing Foreign Language Demand Among U.S. Employers.\u201d https:\/\/www.actfl.org\/uploads\/files\/general\/MakingLanguagesOurBusiness_FullReport.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n Ora Lobell, Kylie. \u201cWhy Are Companies Hiring More Multilingual Workers?\u201d SHRM. May 9, 2022. https:\/\/www.shrm.org\/resourcesandtools\/hr-topics\/employee-relations\/pages\/why-companies-hire-more-multilingual-workers.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\nIndustries with Multilingual Needs<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Gather Company Information<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Build a Network<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Certify Language Skills<\/strong><\/h3>\n