As a job seeker, knowing another language can boost your chances of landing a position and finding new opportunities for your career outside the country. But, given the number of languages, which should you learn for your job?
Here are 8 of the most useful languages you can learn for your career and why:
Mandarin
Many employers are looking for people who can speak Mandarin because of China’s growing presence in the global market. While China has many dialects, Mandarin is the most popular, and few master its complex structure. If you can master the language, you can apply for jobs involving you in global economics and be your employer’s representative overseas.
German
German should be on your priority list if you want to grow your career in Europe. German is one of the official languages in the European Union, and most high-level companies are based in Germany. Aside from Germany, you can also find facilities in Austria, Luxembourg and Belgium if you know the language.
French
French is also a great language, as it is used in France, Canada, and certain parts of Africa. You can join a wide community of French speakers worldwide, which can help you find other opportunities in other countries.
Arabic
Arabic can also be a great language to learn, especially if you are interested in journalism, culture, or the arts. The region is also becoming a powerhouse in international trade, which is why many translation and interpreter jobs are available there.
Japanese
Japanese is another complicated language, but anyone who is fluent can find many job opportunities. Many Japanese corporations are now looking for bilingual applicants who can connect them with their satellite companies worldwide. If you are proficient in Japanese, you can also find many opportunities in the tech scene.
Spanish
In the US, Spanish is the second most widely used language. This is why you can find jobs like Spanish translation, Spanish-speaking customer support and other similar jobs. You can also work in different countries with large Spanish-speaking communities.
Portuguese
If South America is your dream work destination, you should learn Portuguese. Some of the jobs you may encounter are in the tourism industry, as companies will require Portuguese-speaking agents to help them reach various destinations. Aside from South America, countries such as Macau, Angola, and Portugal will also become open to you as potential spots to find work.
English
If English is not your first language, it should be on your to-learn list. English is considered the most used language in various fields, including business, and learning it can immediately open job opportunities for you in many parts of the globe.
Whichever language you select and learn, don’t forget to consistently practice the language even if you end up working for a company that speaks your native language. You may miss significant opportunities if you let your foreign language skills languish. If you are still deciding which language to pick, pick one that excites you, and it will surely help you with your career journey.
And if you are bilingual, you can use those language skills to kickstart your freelance career. Here is a guide that I wrote to help you.
