The Importance of Foreign Language for Your Career

Today, many members of the generation at the beginning or mid-levels of their careers have taken English classes for a few hours a week at least during their high school years. However, these classes either did not provide enough substance, or we did not focus enough on English, leading to their eventual forgetfulness. Yet, nowadays, knowing a foreign language has become extremely important for successfully climbing the career ladder. According to a study, nearly half of employers indicate that having a good command of English is the most important factor they consider during the hiring process, while about 40% state it is the second or third most important factor. The percentage of employers who do not seek any foreign language training or knowledge in their employees is limited to only 10-15%.

The importance of knowing a foreign language for a career is highlighted not only in job interviews but also in terms of advancement within the organization or industry after getting hired. Especially, companies operating in our country, whether international companies or locally established ones with foreign customers or suppliers, now expect employees at all levels, not just top executives, to have at least an intermediate level of English proficiency. The situation is no different for those who wish to build a career in the public sector. For those aiming to establish an academic career by entering universities and to secure positions in A group civil service, a good command of English is sought, and the scores obtained from the YDS exam, which measures foreign language knowledge, affect the total scores of civil servant candidates at varying rates.

Based on all this information, it is possible to say that having knowledge of a foreign language has become essential in a career that is just starting or has progressed to some extent. Nowadays, many job postings emphasize that having good speaking and writing skills in English, as well as knowledge of another foreign language, even at a beginner level, is an important factor for applicants. In fact, many businesses are partnering with special courses for foreign language training and encouraging their employees to participate in these courses. In short, if you want to start your career with an advantage and not miss out on promotions and new job opportunities that may arise in the coming years, you need to have a good command of at least one foreign language.