Danielle McQueen , 29 January 2007
According to www.onrec.com, 66% of us would like to learn a new language in 2007 and it has now become one of the most popular New Years Resolutions along with the traditional giving up smoking, losing weight and going to the gym.
Improved job prospects were quoted as one of the main motivating factors behind wanting to learn a new language. This makes sense as it has been found that being able to speak more than one language can greatly improve your chances of getting a new job. 75% of bilingual people that were surveyed claimed that this skill helped them in their careers.
Language skills are also very important if your dream job is in an international organisation or multinational company. The most useful languages to speak, after English, are French and German.
Ways of learning:
• Self-study. You can get good books and cassettes from bookshops and libraries to help you learn a new language in your own time.
• Join a language school. Working with others is often an effective way of learning a new skill.
• Use the internet to look for free tutorials and guidance.
• Invest in a dictionary and some phrase books.
Looking for a new job while working
Finding your dream job while you are already working may seem like a difficult task but there are ways to make it as easy as possible:
• Use common sense. Don’t use your company email system to send out your CVs and application forms. This may get noticed and land you in trouble.
• Try not to talk to others. People like to gossip and if the news gets back to your boss things may be awkward. There is also the possibility that if you don’t get the new position, your working life in the company may be become unpleasant.
An important thing to remember is that you need to dedicate a good deal of time to a job search. Put aside a few hours each weekend for this and although this may seem like the last thing you want to do with your free time it will pay off in the end. Why not make your search easier by making sure your preferences are up to date on Second Post and let the jobs come to you!
• If you do get the job, however, make sure to leave your company on a good note. The first thing to do is to tell your boss, then your colleagues afterwards and then organise a leaving party!