8 Reasons Why Bilingual Employees Get Paid More
Get ready to discover why it pays to be bilingual! The world is becoming increasingly more interconnected than ever before. As a result, there is a huge demand for bilingual employees who can communicate with people from all over the globe.
In this post, I will go into detail and show you 8 ways knowing a second language can help make you more money.
8 Reasons It Pays To Know a Second Language
Many studies show that knowing a second language leads to higher pay. It’s been found that bilingual employees usually receive 5-20% more per hour compared to monolingual employees.
Here are 8 reasons why companies are willing to pay more for their bilingual employees.
1. High Demand
With advancing technology and greater travel opportunities, globalization is moving at a rapid pace. This new interconnectedness makes language knowledge high in demand.
As a result, many companies pay bilingual employees more for this bonus skill. In fact, the demand for bilingual workers doubled in just 5 years!
This growth isn’t expected to slow down anytime soon. Prepare for the future job market and start learning a second language today.
2. More Job Opportunities
One reason bilinguals get paid more is because of increased job opportunities. Thousands of employers are looking for bilingual employees and some jobs even have bilingualism as a requirement for applications.
Translating and interpreting jobs are only possible when you know two or more languages. Since these are some of the 15 fastest-growing occupations, it makes sense to learn a second language.
Knowing a second language like Spanish also opens up international job opportunities. With more than 20 Spanish-speaking countries in the world, your job prospects multiply when you learn Spanish.
If you want to work abroad for the Peace Corps or become a Foreign Service Officer, then learning a second language is a must. Other fields such as journalism, education and business development are always in search of bilingual employees.
Whether you want to work in healthcare, construction, or law, learning a foreign language can help make this dream possible and give you more high-paying jobs to choose from.
3. Improved Competitiveness in the Job Market
Most employees are familiar with the struggle of applying for hundreds of jobs only to get a few interviews. Good jobs are hard to get and face stark competition.
Companies today are increasingly searching for diverse, bilingual employees who can serve their globalizing clients. Bilingual employees are an asset to businesses but are hard to find. Bilingualism makes your resume stand out and boosts you to the top of the interview list for possible employers.
Although almost every employer would jump at the chance of hiring a bilingual employee, there simply aren’t enough to go around. Only about 20-30% of the U.S. population is bilingual. This gives bilingual speakers a huge edge over the rest of the competing workforce. That kind of advantage can make all the difference in landing the job of your dreams or negotiating a higher salary.
4. More Educational Opportunities
Knowing a foreign language enables you to take advantage of significant educational opportunities such as spending a summer or a semester abroad. Studying abroad not only looks great on your resume but also gives you real-world experience of living abroad.
Many jobs involve travel and interacting with people abroad. Employers value applicants who have the cultural knowledge and language skills to do these tasks effectively. Previous college study abroad experiences would make you a perfect fit for these roles.
Companies are more willing to pay additional earnings for bilingual employees who already have this important travel experience that they’re looking for.
5. Improved Problem-Solving, Multitasking, and Decision-Making Skills
Many employers know about the hidden benefits of hiring bilingual employees. Studies show that bilingualism improves brain functions like ability to focus and multitask.
A study about bilingual children in Scotland and Italy demonstrated that bilingual kids score higher in problem-solving and creativity than their monolingual peers.
Another study found that people who know a second language can process information more efficiently and easily. All of these skills are extremely valuable in the workplace and employers are willing to pay more to get them.
6. Cultural Gap
The ability to communicate in a second language is a valuable skill, but the cultural knowledge and empathy that comes with it is just as important. Second-language speakers learn a lot about the culture of their second language.
These lessons increase their empathy and ability to connect. By being aware of different social norms abroad, bilingual employees have greater success in interacting with people who are different from them.
The United States is well-known as a “melting pot” of different cultures and languages. With an increasingly diverse population, the United States is living up to this name. Even if most of these diverse groups speak English, they still have different cultures and perspectives to cater to. Bilinguals can use their cultural knowledge and language skills to help their company instantly connect with these groups.
7. Increased Communication
Businesses are all about catering to the customer. By knowing a second language, you can help your company reach more people and tap into previously untouched markets. By helping your business grow its consumer base, you’re helping them earn more money. Talk about a marketable skill!
Banks, for example, are always looking for bilingual employees. They are specifically searching for Spanish-speaking individuals who can help them cater to the growing latino population. You can read up on Spanish banking vocabulary to help prepare you for this in-demand position!
8. Better Chances of Getting Hired
In order to make money, you first have to get hired. Being bilingual actually makes you more likely to get that dream job you’re applying for.
Being bilingual is increasingly becoming an important job qualification. CNN Business even named bilingualism as the hottest skill for job seekers!
Employers value the strong work ethic that second language learners demonstrate. If two candidates are otherwise equal but one is bilingual, employers won’t hesitate to choose the one who can speak two languages.
Some of the most sought-after languages include Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic. By learning one of these languages, you can help ensure your future employment.
Start Your Journey To Becoming Bilingual in English and Spanish
With over 53 million Spanish speakers in the United States and more than 20 Spanish-speaking countries in the world, the Spanish language opens up thousands of financial opportunities.
Spanish is also the second most-spoken language in the U.S. making it the obvious choice for language learning. Sign up for a free Spanish class at Homeschool Spanish Academy so that you can have a financially secure future.
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