If
you’ve recently graduated with an MBA and are now looking for an
exciting new job then you are not alone. While the competition for good
jobs has always been fierce it seems to be getting even more intense.
This means that recent MBA graduates need to add to their skillsets in
order to make themselves a more desirable employee with a competitive
edge that will help them stand out from the crowd.
Many experts and employers agree that one of the most highly marketable and valuable skills is bilingualism or — better yet — multilingualism.
In an increasingly global economy, the executive who has the ability to
communicate across cultures will be highly sought after by companies
looking to expand their corporate boundaries.
As an MBA
graduate who speaks two or more languages you will not only be a more
attractive applicant or candidate for employment, you will also enjoy a
range of valuable personal benefits in addition to those that are more
career orientated. The fact that you have mastered another language
sends a real important message to a potential employer: it says that you
are motivated to learn, open-minded, smart, more culturally aware and a flexible person who can converse with clients in their native language.
Where to Begin?
Becoming
multi-lingual is easier said than done however. The demands of an MBA
are onerous enough without adding in the difficulties of learning one or
more languages simultaneously and with over 3000 actively spoken
languages in the world, and an economy that is becoming increasingly
transient, it is difficult to know which languages are the best to
specialize in.
So, what are some of the benefits that are invaluable for both the individual and the employer?
How Having Multilingual Employees Benefits the Employer
1. Better Decision Makers
First off, bilingual or multilingual individuals find decision making
easier as learning a language makes someone more aware of nuances and
even hidden meanings. They are also perceived to have stronger skills
and abilities by prospective employers than their mono lingual
counterparts.
Zubia Hawcroft, Director of corporate recruiter MSC Headhunting
sums it up. “Anytime someone has additional languages it is considered
an asset. There is an instant respect for someone who is bi or multi
lingual because they are thought to have an understanding of other
cultures, thinking and a different way of operating.”
2. Culturally Sensitive
Learning a language is a point of entry into another culture. In an increasingly global market, cultural awareness and sensitivity are invaluable.
In the article “Importance of Bilingual Speakers in the Workplace”, Valerie Fox points
out that companies who have bilingual or multilingual employees are
able to “reach a wider customer and client base” because employees with
language skills bridge the language and the cultural gap.
Mickey Matthews, International Chairman of recruiting firm Stanton Chase, describes the all-round abilities that a modern MBA must have. “The job
market has gotten even more competitive for MBA’s and they must show
they are not only a good team member but that they possess
multi-cultural sensitivities”
3. Efficient Multi-Taskers
According to an interesting study carried out at Pennsylvania State University,
those who speak more than one or multiple languages are better at multitasking. This is because in order to learn a language one must move from one system and structure to another.
4. Laser Focused
A study conducted at a Spanish university, Pompeu Fabra, demonstrated that
bilingual or multilingual individuals are more focused, observant and perceptive generally because all of these skills are needed to acquire a second or additional language.
5. Increased Confidence
A further useful byproduct of learning a language is that a bilingual or multilingual person has more confidence thanks to learning and mastering a language and the boost to self-confidence that goes with achieving something.
6. Higher Level of Concentration
Interestingly, language acquisition exercises and improves several important brain functions and ‘muscles’ including memory and concentration both of which are very valuable in the work place and life in general.
7. Creativity
Finally, bilingual or multilingual individuals are more creative
than their monolingual counterparts. This is thought to stem from the
need to think of the correct or an alternative word and the necessity to
use more divergent skills as one makes the change from one language and
language system and structure to another.
Most people are even more interested in how they can reap the rewards…so
the obvious question on pretty much everyone’s mind is what are the
direct benefits to the learner in becoming multi lingual?
While
many of the benefits we already listed apply to both the company AND
the individual, there are others that only benefit YOU.
How Being Multilingual Benefits You
1. Higher Salaries
Because bilingual or multilingual individuals possess all of these valuable
skills, abilities and qualities they have far better job prospects and
certainly have that all-important competitive edge. According to studies
cited by Rosetta Stone bilingual and multilingual employees earn on average 10% higher salaries than those earned by monolingual employees.
2. Decreased Alzheimer’s Risk
Studies have even shown that those who learn additional languages are far less
likely to fall victim to brain diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer.
3. Better Grammar
Surprisingly, learning a new language improves native- or mother-tongue language
skills as you become more aware of language, words, grammar, nuance,
etc.
4. Fast Learner
Once you have learned a second language it becomes increasingly easy to learn
additional languages because you now have what is known as
metalinguistic awareness. In other words, you possess the necessary
techniques and skills for language acquisition.
5. Open Mindedness
Discovering a new language and culture is enriching and opens you up to new ideas,
points of view, art forms, interests, religions, ways of life, political
systems etc. This in turn makes you more open-mined, tolerant and
empathetic.
6. Self-Awareness
While it may seem counterintuitive, learning another language and about the associated culture will, according to the article “12 Benefits of Learning a Foreign Language”, increase your knowledge and understanding of yourself. Self-awareness has great advantages.
7. Travel with Ease
Travelling will be a great deal easier and more fun if you speak other languages;
no more guessing what the items on a menu are or getting confused at
railway stations! You can talk to locals and have a much richer
experience of a country.
There’s no doubt being multilingual has its advantages but getting to the point of fluency in a language that’s not your own is easier said than done. Often while
working through your MBA you have little idea what industry you will
become involved in or where in the world you will finish up, and
recruiters look for specialist skills when it comes to recruiting those
with a second language. “A lot of MBA grads go into Sales, Marketing or
Business development. Headhunters are given really specific briefs for
roles such as VP of Northern Europe (which might require English and
German) and for large organizations there are roles by territories (a
North African posting might require fluency in French)” states Zubia. It
seems clear that your location will dictate the language skills
required.
For some nationalities learning, or already knowing, a second language comes easily. Many European graduates
learn one or two additional languages during their schooling and this
is a distinct advantage over English speaking nations such as the United
States, England or Australia where exposure to a second language is not
as common. A US graduate may find themselves up against Dutch graduates
who are already fluent in English and German, or a Swiss MBA who grew
up speaking French, German and Italian. This can put some graduates on
the back foot from the beginning.
Multilingual MBA’s
There are a number of business schools that offer bilingual MBA programs that foster multilingualism. For example, the IE Business School
in Madrid, Spain offers part- and full-time MBAs and EMBAs that are
offered in Spanish, English or a bilingual program run in both
languages. Also, Italy’s Milan-based SDA Bocconi School of Management offers a bilingual Global EMBA in partnership with other business schools located in the US, China, Denmark and India.
Multilingualism and Multiculturalism
Those
students who can speak more than one language benefit from globally
orientated study programs more than their monolingual fellow
participants. IMD
in Switzerland selects 90 students from North and South America, Africa
and the Middle East, Asia and Europe. The program and exposure to
different cultures and world views ensures that their students master
business fundamentals and gain self-awareness thanks to this global and
multinational focus and flavor.
From One Expat to Another…
As
someone who has spent the last 15 years living in foreign countries, I
can personally vouch that learning the local language has enriched my
experience. It has helped me connect with people on multiple levels,
become a better problem solver, more confident and eased the stress of
everyday activities (and maybe just as importantly, it’s actually FUN).
So, if you haven’t jumped on board, maybe it’s time to start learning a second language.
And
if you are more of a practical person, remember that there can be no
doubt that if you add a second, even a third or fourth, language to your
skill portfolio you will be much more desirable to employers after
finishing your MBA. You will also be a more well- rounded, better
performing and even happier and healthier person!
Gretchen
is an author, blogger and entrepreneur with a penchant for baking. She
is passionate about communication, continued learning and connecting
people. You can follow her on Twitter: @shawgret