Language is still one of the most valuable assets a person can have. Pitching one accountant or salesman next to another, each with the same ability but with one being able to speak Italian for example, makes a difference. Job opportunities for people that speak another language increase and value to a prospective employee increases. Salaries are higher for roles where language or time in a foreign country is required and the extra income should be a wakeup call, especially in these tough times we face today.

Ref: blackdoginstitue.org.au

Being bilingual opens the door to a totally new future! Not only does it make travelling a cultural delight,  but it opens the world to new friendships, new business avenues and many other benefits. “The world map looks smaller than ever before” Max Azria. We are becoming more interconnected with our international counterparts. Advancements in technology are seeing the world become smaller, and countries more dependent on each other. For those reasons, it has become vital in commerce, to improve communication with people from different countries and cultures.
 I recently read an article on Linkedin by John White, MBA, who writes the following: ​

​Reference: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140522204700-68335342-benefits-of-being-bilingual-in-business 

Job promotions. There aren't many situations where language skills are the reason that someone gets passed over for a promotion, or even just to keep your job. But in an increasingly competitive job market, why would you not give yourself every possible edge? Being able to communicate in other languages makes you much more valuable to an employer.

David Goodman-Smith, managing partner at China Study Abroad, a full-service agency based in Beijing, says his company's fastest-growing group of students are people looking to enhance their employment opportunities. "Having that competitive edge on your CV these days can be invaluable and Mandarin is without a doubt an eye-catcher. Companies are on the lookout for these kinds of experiences more and more," he explains.

Rapport building. Building your network. As we all know, most business is based on relationships – especially in Asia. The minute you start to speak your client’s language, you build rapport which can save time and money in the long term.  Isn’t it easy to ring and directly talk to your clients, rather than go through a translator.
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Are you the future employee that is wanted to work overseas?  Do you know what employers are looking for in potential international employees? The world has become a global village, Donald Trump may not like it but the facts speak for themselves and for a company to succeed globally it needs to have employees globally. As an employee looking to work overseas for an international company there are a few things a company is looking for.

Industry Knowledge and competence. To work overseas for an international company the employer will expect you to know the industry, company and your role very well.  A level of experience, even for junior positions is essential. Knowing little about the company or not having enough experience or knowledge can be something that denies you an overseas role. Experience matters and always will. However, being a graduate you may well stand a good chance even without experience in a field related to your qualification if you have a special ingredient.

Confidence. As an employee of an international company working away from head office, you may well find yourself in a smaller office or even as part of only a small team and in some cases alone. International employers will look for confidence and someone who can adapt to change well. Showing initiative has always been something employers look for and internationally it is no different.

Country Knowledge. Knowing the company, its products and services as well as your role are vital. It is equally important to have knowledge about the country. Trading rules and mechanisms, culture, tradition and etiquette are essential. Having an understanding of geography, transport systems and social as well as business elements of the country are something a company is looking for in an employee. Working overseas an employee is expected to succeed and build a good reputation, having country knowledge will give you the edge. Again there is still a special ingredient missing.

All three of the above are things companies hiring overseas staff look for but there is one thing, one box that needs to be checked because of a special ingredient that makes a person to be perfect. That one thing is language.

Speaking the language. Being able to converse in the language of the country is the number one thing an employer looks for when selecting overseas staff to work in international offices. Demonstrating the capacity to do the work, having confidence, showing initiative and have knowledge of the country are all well and good but having language makes all the difference. It has been proven over many centuries that speaking the language of the locals secures business deals. Having a language and being able to converse about a company, its products and services in the native language creates trust. From trust, relationships are formed and from this business success is found.  Learning a language can make all the difference, as an employee you become more valuable and with a language, you stand out and become less of a risk to send overseas or be employed overseas.