Being bilingual can do a lot more for your life than just open the door to new friendships and easier traveling in certain foreign countries, it can also be a big boost to your resume and job search. The key is finding jobs to apply for in the Seattle area which appreciate this multi-faceted skill. Being bilingual isn’t just for translators, although translation is a high paying career and an area you should most certainly be looking into, but it can also be helpful for jobs in customer service, human resources and industries which involve working with the public such as social services.

If you are looking for a job where you can put your second language to work, start by jotting down industries which interest you. From technology to contracting services and beyond, all industries have jobs made for bilingual speakers. Once you have an area of interest, do a quick Bing or Google search for such companies in the area and peruse through their job options which require a second language or any position which involves speaking with the public. Often times employers might not specifically call out they are looking for someone who speaks a second language but will be impressed and see the value of the skill if they see it on your resume. Another search tips is to go to popular job engines such as Monster, SimplyHired and Craigslist and simply do a keyword search for “bilingual” in Seattle. You will be surprised at all the great opportunities you find.

Be prepared for a second interview in your language of expertise when you head in for an interview. Some employers will give you a heads up, but not all of them!