If you want to get ahead, work locally, speak globally.
Increasingly, American business is conversing in a number of tongues as the truly global economy becomes more entrenched.
And, according to Ryan McMunn, head of the language-instruction business BRIC Language Systems, “a 10 percent to 15 percent pay increase is in store for those who speak a foreign language.”
“Eager young business professionals who did not come out of their high school or college truly conversational in a foreign language will undoubtedly find themselves at an incredible disadvantage,” McMunn says.
Researchers have found it difficult to calculate the overall dollar value of learning a second language, since it obviously varies according to field. But it is known that call centers, for example, may pay a 10 percent to 15 percent premium for bilingual workers.
The Premier Group offers a peek into the growing demand for a multilingual workforce in New York.
The recruitment agency told The Post that in this rapidly globalizing economy, New York is the mecca for foreign companies seeking a foothold in the US.
The Premier Group is retained to find bilingual teams in New York. Lately, it is seeing demand for Spanish, Japanese, French and German bilingual speakers in many financial positions, both temporary and full time.
In some cases, companies are looking for candidates with three languages, the recruiter says.
Other companies in New York are seeking bilingual staff to serve large immigrant groups that communicate in a native language such as Spanish.