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Why Employers Love Multilingual Candidates

For several businesses today—even small teams with just a handful of people—working with clients and partners around the world has become the norm. Instant connectivity makes it easy to collaborate with international customers, remote employees, and freelancers, which is why more employers are realizing how valuable it is to have staff who can communicate in more than just English.   Multilingual employees open doors to opportunities which once seemed out of reach. They enable companies to expand into new markets and also provide better service to local communities where multiple languages are spoken.   Research by Ipsos for the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages shows just how significant this is: nine out of ten U.S. employers rely on employees who speak languages other than English. And demand is only rising—especially for Spanish, Chinese, and French—making language skills one of the most sought-after assets in today’s workplace.   In today’s interconnected world, strong language skills aren’t just a bonus—they’re a real advantage for businesses aiming to grow and succeed. Companies that overlook the value of languages can unintentionally miss out, with research suggesting that communication barriers can cost as much as 7% in lost opportunities.   On the other hand, bilingual employees bring a powerful edge: they help organizations enter new markets more smoothly and build genuine relationships with customers from different cultures. This post takes a closer look at why hiring bilingual talent matters and how you can uncover the language skills already within your team.  

Career Benefits of Learning More Than One Language

International experiences
Learning another language opens up new worlds-both personally and professionally. As Ben Whately, Oxford-trained linguistics expert and co-founder of Memrise, explains: "Optionality is a huge advantage. It literally opens new worlds for you. There are more jobs available if you speak Spanish, for example. You can collaborate with people in different countries. For younger generations especially, the chance to travel and gain international experiences is invaluable." These experiences also make your résumé stand out in a crowded job market.

Competitive advantage
In the present global economy, being able to communicate in more than one language gives you an edge.

Employers expanding internationally-or even serving multilingual communities at home-actively look for people with language skills. Because demand often outweighs supply, bilingual or multilingual professionals frequently enjoy stronger career prospects and higher earning potential.

Job security and career growth

Language skills can help you progress faster in your career. Being able to communicate with international clients or partners makes you a trusted representative of your company.

It also makes you harder to replace, providing you with greater stability and opening doors to promotions and leadership opportunities.

Do you need to be fluent?
The reassuring answer is no. Whately emphasizes that fluency isn't essential to unlock these benefits: "It's tempting to think, 'I need to be fluent.' You don't need to be fluent because the conversations you have in most work contexts are relatively limited." Even basic proficiency can give you a head start and set you apart in the workplace.

Why Language Matters in Business Growth

Breaking Barriers at Home and Abroad

Companies that invest in language skills reap measurable rewards-stronger export performance, smoother international negotiations, and fewer missed opportunities. European case studies show that businesses embracing multilingualism have not only expanded their markets but also avoided costly setbacks. In Switzerland, for example, linguistic diversity contributes an impressive 9% of national GDP, a powerful reminder of the economic value of language.

Now imagine trying to sell your product overseas without speaking the local language. That's the reality for a large share of UK businesses. A British Chambers of Commerce survey found that 70% of UK companies lack the language skills needed to compete internationally. Even more concerning, fewer than 5% of business leaders could hold a basic conversation in Russian or Chinese-effectively shutting the door on two of the fastest-growing global markets.

The Decline of English as the Sole Trade Language

The days of English as the unchallenged global trade language are fading. Willy Brandt, former German Chancellor, captured this perfectly: "If I'm selling to you, I speak your language. But if I'm buying, then you must speak German."

Data backs this up: 72% of consumers prefer to buy products in their own language, making localized communication a direct driver of sales. Meanwhile, English's role in trade has slipped dramatically-from 51% in 2000 to just 29% by 2009-while Chinese grew from 5% to 20% over the same period. For businesses, this signals a clear truth: multilingualism is no longer optional, it's a competitive necessity.

The ROI of Bilingual Employees

Language skills don't just open doors-they pay off in hard numbers. Consider this scenario: two companies side by side. One embraces multilingualism, while the other operates in English only. After a year, the multilingual company is celebrating €440,000 in new export sales, while its competitor reports a €75,000 loss. That's not hypothetical-it's the proven financial impact of language capabilities.

Here's what the data shows:

  • Linguistic Novices: Only 33% reach €750,000 in annual exports.
  • Language Adopters: 54% hit that benchmark.
  • Multilingual Leaders: A striking 77% exceed €750,000.

The contrast is just as stark across borders: 63% of German SMEs serve more than 50 international clients, compared to just 15% of French SMEs.

The takeaway is simple: multilingual talent isn't a "nice-to-have." It's a strategic growth driver, helping businesses scale faster, reach more markets, and outperform competitors.

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