Get a Better Job Using Your Second Language

Knowing foreign languages in a world that, thanks to globalization, entices people to be bilingual – and sometimes almost makes them forget their mother tongue, definitely comes in handy when looking for a new job. It opens more doors and better doors!

Numbers do not lie: today, nearly 60% of the job offers require the candidate to master a second language. English and German are taking the lead in the list for the most popular languages required by employers, especially in the areas of engineering, finance, modern technologies, and health.

However, according to recent surveys from Adecco and the Center for Sociological Research (CIS) in Spain, five languages prevailed among job seekers in 2016 as the most prestigious. To our surprise, these languages are: Italian, Portuguese, German, French, and the ever-present English.

An astounding 89.5% of current job offers require a second language—so it is time to get enrolled in the language course of your choice. French is on the list because it is the official language of over 30 countries and is one of the five official languages in the United Nations; it also stands out in the touristic and pharmaceutical areas. German – or Europe’s second most spoken language – stands out in the tourism sector, just as the languages mentioned above. Perhaps the most shocking fact about this list is to see the “nonna’s” mother tongue on it. Italian has had an impressive boom these last years in Europe, especially in Spain. Brazil’s peak as a first-power economy in Latin America led Portuguese to appear on this list, as well as the fact that it is the official language in six countries. The near future looks very promising for Portuguese.

Do we really need to say anything else to convince you to go ahead and learn a second language? If you need a little extra motivation, Laura Centeno, Country Manager for People Working, indicated that a bilingual person could earn 20% more than those who speak only one language. Jump onboard

By Vanessa Fardi / NEUVOO

Team Leader US/CA/LATAM

Email: vanessa@neuvoo.com

NEUVOO is a free job search aggregator that indexes jobs directly from companies’ career websites, placement agencies and job boards

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