How to Find Bilingual Spanish Jobs

Speaking multiple languages is always an asset in the business world.

Finding a job can be incredibly frustrating. The current economic situation of 2011 has put many people out of work, so standing out among all the other job applicants is incredibly important. With the Hispanic population of the United States steadily increasing, bilingual employees are highly in demand in all industries. You can use your language skills to help you find your dream job.

Things You'll Need

• Spanish-language newspapers and magazines

Instructions

1. Update your resume and have a friend or family member proofread it for you. The first step in finding a job is presenting yourself well, so make sure to include any recent career accomplishments and promotions. Ensure that you highlight your bilingual status and mention your proficiency level.

2. Sign up with job websites that cater to bilingual Spanish speakers, such as ihispano.com. There are many available and they cover different industries and areas. These sites will also allow you to get a feel for salary range and benefits offered to bilingual employees.

3. Network as much as possible. Attend events geared toward bilingual professionals in your area and don't forget to ask family and friends if they know of any job openings in your field. Networking is very effective because it allows the person who referred you to "talk you up" to the new company, giving you an edge over others applying for the same job.

4. Consider moving to an area with a high volume of Spanish speakers, such as Texas or California. These regions will have a higher demand for bilingual people in all businesses, as they have a more diverse client base. Alternatively, you could move to a Spanish-speaking country and utilize your English skills.

Tips & Warnings

• In your resume and cover letters, highlight your multicultural skills as well as your language skills. After all, you don't learn a language without learning about the people who speak it. Consider skills like management of culturally diverse teams, communicating across cultures and conflict resolution.

• Don't neglect networking. While large corporations usually advertise bilingual Spanish management or customer service jobs, smaller companies often use word of mouth to find Spanish speakers. Other companies may not advertise the position as a bilingual one, but the people doing the hiring may make it known that they'd prefer a bilingual Spanish speaker.

References

• Learn Spanish Help: Find Bilingual Jobs with Your Spanish Skills

Resources

• iHispano: The Professional Latino Network