Looking for jobs with languages
Have you thought of learning a language to improve your job prospects - or is your current employer just not giving you the chance to use your languages? Either way, you need to know how languages are used in business, and what you need to do to give yourself the best opportunity in the job market. If you're a careers adviser or teacher working with students or jobseekers, we've also collated a range of resources you can use in careers education and guidance.
Click on the questions below for information and advice. The Languages Work website is also an excellent resource if you have further questions.
It's probably easiest to think of jobs with languages in two ways. Firstly the specialist route. You could become a translator, interpreter or language teacher - these are quite specialised and often need a postgraduate qualification. Most of your job is about the language. These specialist occupations have changed with the times and a translator can develop a career working with websites and digital subtitling, while many interpreters now work over the phone.
The other option is to use languages in a job where these skills are additional to the work - the non-specialist route. A French-speaking lawyer or a customer service adviser who uses Tamil will find it helpful or at times essential to use the language, so the language is an asset alongside their other skills. It helps them to do their job better. This means you don't always need to be fluent - working in a hotel, for example, greetings and some 'small talk' will help to make guests feel welcome.
Visit our providers area to find out about the support that is available to language teachers, translators and interpreters. The external links and factsheets below may also be useful.
Download a general factsheet on careers with languages
Download a factsheet on translation and interpreting careers
Find out about careers in language teaching
Businesses that welcome overseas tourists - like hotels, restaurants, attractions, even shops - can all find languages useful. If a company is communicating across borders - whether their business is finance, media or selling goods and services - it's going to really help to speak the languages of their markets. But there are less obvious examples too. If a local charity is serving lots of Urdu speakers in the community, then this language is going to be an advantage. Virtually any kind of business can make use of languages, but their needs and the level of language vary hugely - from conversations in the boardroom to the switchboard, and from writing an email message to a legal contract.
To show you different career paths, we've collated case studies of Londoners using languages in their work. You can also learn about how a range of businesses use languages and cultural knowledge in our businesses area.
A few simple tips can maximise your job opportunities. If you feel you need further advice and support, simply contact your local Jobcentre Plus or careers service. A good first port of call is the Careers Advice Service website.
- Make speculative applications by looking for businesses who match your own profile. Look for their overseas offices to see which languages they might use, and find out whether they have a preference for languages degrees when they recruit graduates (even if you are not applying for a graduate role). In the media sector, as many as 9 out of 10 jobs are not advertised.
- Make sure your CV is tailored to each application - in a competitive market, you must make it stand out from your rivals. Do not over-emphasise your language skills as the employer will look for other skills and experience besides - try to find the same balance as in the job description.
- Keep your language knowledge up to date by chatting with bilingual friends and colleagues. Did you know that Londoners speak over 300 languages?
- Make sure your CV is in the format that London employers expect. There is huge variation in what is acceptable around the world. As a rule of thumb, your CV should be 2 pages long with your work history placed before your education history. For further advice, contact your local careers service.
- Get interview practice. Find a friend or colleague who can help you practise speaking the foreign language if you don't use it regularly, as the employer may well test you during the interview. If you're not experienced being interviewed in English, your local careers service, JobCentre Plus or even a friend may be able to help.
- If you have overseas qualifications, make sure you express them in terms of UK qualifications so that London employers can understand them. NARIC can help you to do this.
The Internet is the most common way of advertising jobs in the UK. Don't though underestimate the value of speculative applications - where you contact a business who are not advertising - and getting in touch in person or by phone. The direct approach can create a good first impression for roles where communication is important.
Specialist recruitment agencies
A number of agencies in London specialise in placing candidates in jobs using their languages.
Recruitment websites
Many languages jobs are advertised on mainstream recruiters' websites such as Reed, Manpower and Monster. Simply search for the language and job role that interest you.
Newspapers and community publications
Many employers still advertise in the press, but they may also target native speakers of certain languages through community newspapers and magazines - there are many foreign language publications available in London.
Government-funded services
London residents can access careers advice and support in finding work, both online and in person. A good first port of call is the Careers Advice Service website, or the Jobcentre Plus website - where you can also search for jobs using your languages.
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