69. Foreign language could be your biggest career asset

What’s the key to breaking into the workforce? Sure you need to demonstrate achievements, leadership, teamwork etcetera. But these days, almost everyone has that. The one thing that could immediately set you apart however, is possessing a foreign language.

For all the job applications I’ve submitted, I will almost always get at least an interview for Bahasa speaking roles. My chance shot up way higher compared to just any English-speaking positions I applied to. Possessing a specific language puts you in high demand. I have been headhunted a number of times by big firm for the very same reason.

When you are aiming for a competitive career, you are competing with tons of people who share the same skills as you do, many with better experience and advantages than yours. But combine all your qualities with a foreign language, you are immediately put in the ‘scarce’ bucket. When a position for a foreign market which language you master appears, you will be ahead of so many people to break into that dream company of yours.

Well, I guess I have to grill my future children with a lot more private tuitions now.