Nine Ways To Use Language Skills To Get A Job And Boost Your Career
To enhance your chances of using your language degree in a specific field, it’s crucial to combine it with core subjects. Pure language degrees might not command a premium job market. According to Adam Marshall, Executive Director of Policy and External Affairs at the British Chamber of Commerce in London, companies mainly view language as part of a broader skills base. Therefore, you need to link your language degree with other core skills of your choice, which will make you more appealing to prospective employers.
Set your career goals early during your language degree, rather than waiting until the end when you apply for jobs. According to Darren Paffey, a lecturer in Spanish and modern languages, and employability officer at the University of Southampton, it’s essential to think about employability all through your studies. When applying for jobs, refer to the modules’ aims and objectives. Progress tracking is also vital from the onset of your programme, according to Marshall.
When you take a year out, don’t assume it will make you stand out from other candidates. You need to demonstrate the soft skills that you acquired during your time away, such as cross-cultural awareness, maturity, resilience, and logical problem-solving. Arti Sharma, Head of UK Youth Campaigns at the British Council, suggests highlighting the added advantage of your language expertise, indicating you’ve gained the necessary skills for real business needs, such as multitasking and perception.
You don’t necessarily have to be a fluent speaker to impress employers; functional fluency could still get you hired. Therefore, don’t exaggerate your language proficiency to ensure you don’t overinflate your skills on your CV. If your language abilities require fine-tuning, honesty is the best policy. Demonstrate your fundamental skills and willingness to learn and improve.
Use your CV to detail your language experience, highlighting where, how often, and in what capacity you applied your language skills. Lizzie Fane, the founder of thirdyearabroad.com and globalgraduates.com, suggests expanding on the detail of your language skills to impress prospective employers.
When job searching online, be specific and avoid typing in "languages," which will limit your results. Use search engines to your advantage and match what you have to offer with what businesses need. Know your target audience, and apply speculatively to companies you’d like to work for. Look for companies internationally oriented, which align with your language proficiency.
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It is always wise to prepare for unexpected scenarios that may arise in any field. In the business world, being fluent in a foreign language can take you a long way. Porteous, who specializes in assisting companies that export globally, has observed Japan’s significance in the fashion export market. He reckons that candidates who possess Japanese language proficiency and excellent communication skills to connect with Japanese consumers, in addition to other business skills and knowledge, would undoubtedly be an attractive option. Furthermore, Miranda Reid, the associate director of Multilingualvacancies.com, highlights that German is a highly coveted language across various industries. Notably, sales and marketing, operational roles, and even the gaming industry, have shown significant demand for German-speaking professionals.
