Whether you want to work for a multinational corporation or work at home, being bilingual can have several advantages. While you may not have the same professional knowledge as a native speaker, you will likely be able to communicate more effectively. Moreover, having a second language can also help you in conflict management. Bilingual people often have skills that were learned at different stages in their lives. If you’re considering becoming a bilingual professional, make sure that you are aware of the costs and benefits of both.
Benefits of knowing a second language
In addition to increasing job opportunities, learning a second language also opens up new ways of thinking and communicating. It makes you more flexible and appreciative of different cultures. Learning a second language also increases your ability to network, an important part of the working world today. Learning a second language may also contribute to brain structure, as bilingual speakers have more gray matter in specific areas of the brain. By learning a second language, you may even be able to work faster and earn more money.
Companies are increasingly interconnected globally. As a result, employers are seeking candidates with good language skills. A bilingual resume can give you an edge over monolingual applicants, giving you a better chance at a better job. Furthermore, knowing a second language can help you get higher salaries, as well. One recruitment agency has estimated that knowing a second language can boost an employee’s salary by between ten and fifteen percent.
Costs of learning a second language
In addition to the obvious benefits of being able to communicate with foreigners, learning a second language for professional use will open doors to many career opportunities. Among the many advantages of learning another language, it improves your communication skills, increases your confidence, and helps you land better jobs. In addition, learning a second language will give you the ability to travel the world and interact with people from different cultures.
While you can find self-directed language learning programs for around $100 for three months (the cost of 30 individual classes from PimSleur is also low), the expense of an in-person course can top $1,000 for a semester. There are also free online resources you can use to supplement formal curriculum. For example, if you are interested in becoming a teacher, you may need to shell out hundreds of dollars to hire a professional German translator to teach you the language.
Conflict management skills
Your resume should reflect your conflict management skills. Include them in your skills section, but keep them brief. The hiring manager will be impressed that you can handle disagreements, even if you don’t speak both languages fluently. Moreover, demonstrating this skill is an excellent way to show off your personality in the workplace. You can include this skill without sounding forced. In this article, you will learn some ways to include it in your resume.
Emotional intelligence, which is the ability to understand the emotions of others, is an excellent way to prevent escalation in conflict. By interpreting emotions accurately, you can communicate with others without angering them and creating a conflict. The reduced emotions in a conflict can allow people involved in the conflict to think more creatively. The following are some ways to use your emotional intelligence in your everyday life.