Tips to help you land your first bilingual job

5 Ways to Land a Bilingual Job after Completing your Languages Degree

The good news is that landing your first bilingual job fresh out of university is now easier than ever before. Modern language graduates are in demand as UK businesses increasingly seek individuals with the skills to help them flourish overseas. And it’s not just the same old global brands that are seeking to fill their positions with bilingual speakers. Thanks to globalisation and the ease with which businesses can now do business abroad, an increasing number of small UK businesses are looking to fill graduate level roles with second language speakers.

With that in mind, here are 5 top tips to help you land your first bilingual role after completing a modern languages degree:

1. Identify opportunities in your chosen sector

Graduates of modern language are now in demand across many sectors of business and industry, in roles that extend well beyond interpretation and translation to encompass everything from banking and finance to marketing, new media and I.T. Even new Met Police recruits must be able to speak a second language.

If you’re considering sending off speculative CVs to companies in your chosen sector, be specific. Employers don’t like vague applications. Pick something that most suits your interest, experience and skills and demonstrate your passion and knowledge for that particular path. Following your interests and choosing a sector you have a genuine passion for will allow your enthusiasm to shine through.

2. Don’t think of your first bilingual job as your defining role

Many graduates think their first job will make or break their future careers. It won’t. Getting any role where you can use your bilingualism is a huge plus, whether that’s as a customer support representative, an administrator or any other starting role.

Most employers will look for bilingual speakers with skills in other aspects of business and finance, so this is a great way to increase your experience while putting your language skills to practice in a professional environment.

3. Harness the power of social media

Love it or loathe it, social platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter are increasingly powerful tools in your bilingual job search. LinkedIn is undoubtedly the most valuable social tool for graduate job seekers.

LinkedIn is regularly scoured by recruiters and even the employers themselves for individuals with the linguistic skill sets they need. Of course, it goes without saying to keep all your publicly accessible information employer-friendly. Here are a few way you can use LinkedIn to fast track your bilingual job search.

4. Be proactive

It might be a terrible management buzzword, but being proactive plays a huge part in not only finding a bilingual job more quickly, but also in finding a role you’re likely to enjoy. You should see your bilingual job hunt as a continuous process as there’s always something else you can do.

Firstly, signing up with a specialist language recruitment agency is a great place to start. But don’t just sit back and wait for a job to be found for you. Following the industries and sectors of work that interest you the most can help you move in the right circles. Narrowing your search to particular employers you know hire bilingual speakers and sending an enquiry is an excellent way to show just how much you want to be part of their team.

Finally, a politely worded email to individuals already working in the type of role you want is an effective way of finding out if any more opportunities are coming up.

5. Never give up!

There’s always stiff competition for graduate jobs in the UK, but your bilingualism is an incredibly valuable asset in the current jobs market that will give you a real boost. If bilingual opportunities in your area are few and far between, consider moving. Your opportunities will be far greater in London than in a regional market town. Most importantly, don’t give up on your dream job. Whatever you have to do to pay the bills in the meantime, always keep your eye on the prize!

Send us your CV today

If you’re looking for your first bilingual job on the South Coast of England, please send us your CV. We can help you find a role in your chosen sector and get the invaluable professional experience you need. Alternatively, for more information, please call 02392 987 765 or email: info@lingistica-recruitment.com today.