Q: I just recently interviewed an impressive candidate who had the experience and right qualifications for a job my company posted on BilingualJobFair.com . The candidate proposed a salary that was 25% higher than I wanted to offer, but within my budget. Should an employer stick with their offer to save the company money or accept a candidate’s salary proposal? Anne
A: Your question is an easy one for me to answer. When a candidate impresses you and you feel this is the right person for the job; then you need to view it as an investment and not a cost. If the candidate turns out to be an exceptional hire and works at the company for many years, you will be glad you made the initial investment. My advice would be to go ahead and hire this impressive candidate now before you lose him or her to your competitor.
March 10, 2010
Q: What do you think are the best attributes to include on a resume? Bonnie
A: Most employers have a small window of time to review the numerous resumes they receive, therefore, some of the more appealing information to include is:
- Career objective
- Problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Oral and written communications
- Leadership skills
- Team-building skills
- Bilingual skills
- Performance and productivity improvement
- Project management skills
- Prior employment that is relevant to the position being applied for
The goal is to set yourself apart from other applicants by highlighting your skills, experience and qualifications.
February 16, 2010
Q: I have a Master’s degree in business administration and I’m seeking a bilingual job. What advice can you offer to help me find the right company who would have competitive salaries to match my level of education? Vito
A: For those prospective bilingual candidates with a higher degree, I would first recommend a staffing firm advisor, your college/university career advisor or a head hunter who all have great resources and can help guide you in the right direction. Secondly, you should keep searching on your own for companies that have bilingual positions available in your field until you find the right one that matches your qualifications. After you’ve found the right company for you, your time, experience, skills and dedication will help you achieve the level of pay you desire.
February 9, 2010
Q: I have been in my current position for the past 13 years and would like to consider changing careers. How easy or difficult is it for bilingual people to find jobs? Clara
A: Certainly bilingual skills are an asset in today’s job market. Be sure to highlight these skills in your resume. Other factors that influence the success of your job search include your field, education, experience and personal attributes, which should also be emphasized when writing your resume. While employers do rely on your background and past experiences, personality can also be a deciding factor, such as how comfortable you appear while presenting yourself. Since you have been in your current job for 13 years, this will show any employer that you have long term potential. Good luck with your new endeavor!
February 4, 2010
Q: Can you suggest what types of bilingual careers are out there for young adults who have not gone to college yet? Thank you, David
A: Some of the positions that we get the most requests for are Sales representatives, Customer Service representatives, Administrative assistants, certain positions within the Medical/Dental fields, Insurance Agents, Retail Associates and Automobile Technicians just to name a few. There are some companies that do not require college degrees and are willing to train potential employees on site. If you are interested in pursuing any of these careers, check out our available job listings posted on the site. Be sure to highlight your people skills on your resume. For more tips on writing a resume when you haven’t gone to college, read this post. Good luck David.
February 2, 2010
Q: My organization is looking for a bilingual customer service representative to help our Spanish speaking customers worldwide. Can a person who speaks Spanish communicate with all other Spanish speaking people, regardless of their country of origin? Thanks. Yours truly, Susan
A: This is a great question because I’ve heard it many times, and the answer is YES. While both people will be able to communicate with each other, there may be certain words that are spoken differently in their respected countries. If this occurs, they will be able to discuss the differences to help ensure that they understand one another clearly. It’s great that your company is expanding their bilingual staff. You may be interested in reading more about how bilingual employees are an advantage to your business.
January 28, 2010
Q: English is not my first language, but I consider myself fully bilingual. I worry that the people interviewing me for bilingual customer service jobs doubt my qualifications because of my thick accent. What can I do to ensure that an interviewer is focused on my qualifications and not my accent? Valdemar
A: I faced the same predicament when I first looked for a job in the U.S. I still have an accent because I spoke only Spanish until I was 21. I suggest interviewing in person as opposed to over the phone so that you have a better chance of making an impression with your credentials, your personality, and your willingness to work hard. If you are concerned about your accent during the interview, mention it directly. You can say something like ‘You might have noticed that I have an accent (the person might smile at your comment) but I want you to know that I am fully bilingual and would love the opportunity to prove to you that I can provide quality customer service in both languages’. Ask the interviewer if they have any particular questions about your qualifications for the job. In other words, don’t leave the interviewer with any doubts because of your accent.
You may also want to read some of my previous posts about interviewing, as well as this post about the stages of becoming bilingual. Good luck.
January 26, 2010
Q: My company is looking to hire fluent bilingual employees this year (English & Spanish). My question is this: how do we know that they are truly bilingual? Thanks. Phillip
A: I recommend having a bilingual company recruiter interview the person in both languages; in your case, Spanish and in English. One of the questions for the job applicant should be about their level of proficiency in each language. Then, the question should be followed by a conversational test as well as a written exercise. This is the only way to make 100% certain that the job candidate is fully bilingual. Buena suerte.
January 21, 2010
Q: My last company downsized and my position was eliminated. I speak English and Spanish fluently and have been looking for a job for a year now. With so many companies wanting to target the Hispanic market, why is it so hard for me to find the right position? Thank you. Sara
A: The length of time for finding the right job varies depending on your specific field, job market, salary range, knowledge, experience and other factors. Your main task is to present yourself to the best of your abilities to the hiring companies, and hope that they like what they see in you. If after looking for a job for three months, you have not found the right company or position yet, take another look at your resume and at your cover letter. How are you presenting yourself to companies? How are you introducing yourself? Are you presenting the benefit that you’re bilingual? Have you pointed out the successes you’ve had in your last positions? If I were you, I would consider adjusting my approach and my overall presentation to companies. Read your resume as if you were a recruiter and see if you like it, and if it appeals to you. Another idea would be to have a friend check it out and see how they like your resume and cover letter. See if they have a different approach than your original presentation. You can also read a few blogs I wrote about resumes and cover letters. Good luck.
January 15, 2010
The entire team at Bilingual Job Fair wishes you a Happy Holiday Season and a Happy New Year. May 2010 be a successful year in your life, and may you exceed each one of your goals!
December 23, 2009
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