Moving up in your career in an international company is about more than just technical skills. It also depends a lot on your language skills, cultural understanding, and good communication. These skills are important for non-native English speakers to do well in global companies.
This blog post is inspired by the insights shared by Oana Iordacheschu on Talaera Talks, in an episode on how good communication skills can be the driver of career success. Oana Iordachescu, a Talent Acquisition and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategist and founder of Fair Cultures, shared valuable lessons about career growth, language skills, and cultural understanding. Here, we provide practical tips to help you improve these key skills and make the most of your career.
Language Skills: The Key to Career Growth
Key Takeaways
“Language skills are like having a ‘key’ that can open up job opportunities.”
Clarity is more important than perfection when communicating.
Being able to communicate effectively helps you contribute more at work and build strong relationships.
Having good language skills is like having a “key” that can open up job opportunities. Being able to communicate well in English, the main language of many global companies, can make a big difference in getting a job or a promotion, especially in jobs where you work directly with clients or in higher-level positions. Strong language skills help you get the job and keep it by letting you contribute to discussions, work well with others, and build good relationships with coworkers and clients.
But language skills don’t have to be perfect. What matters most is being clear. Employers want to understand your message, not whether your grammar is perfect. This is even more important when you work in a company where English is the second or third language for many employees. In these kinds of workplaces, being clear helps people understand your ideas and see you as a valuable team member.
How Language Skills Affect Job Opportunities
Key Takeaways
Listening well and understanding accents is just as important as speaking well.
Different jobs have different language requirements, but being willing to improve is always seen positively.
Clear communication builds trust, especially in client-facing roles, which can help you advance in your career.
Language skills have a big impact on job opportunities. When you move to a new country, you need to work on listening to understand local expressions and accents. This is important for building good relationships at work. Listening well and understanding others are just as important as speaking well. Being able to understand different accents and communication styles is key to succeeding in a global work environment.
Different companies have different language requirements depending on the job. Some companies that value diverse talent may be more flexible about language skills for certain jobs, as long as the person is willing to improve. But for jobs like customer service or writing, advanced language skills might be necessary. No matter what company you are in, showing that you are willing to improve your language skills is a great way to show your dedication and commitment.
Language skills also help you show your expertise. Having technical skills is important, but you need to be able to explain your skills clearly to advance in the company. In jobs where you work with clients, your ability to build trust often depends on how well you communicate. The better and clearer you are, the more confidence others will have in you, and this can help you move up in your career.
The Importance of Self-Awareness in Career Growth
Key Takeaways
Be honest about your language skills during the hiring process to set realistic expectations.
Asking for help and being open about your learning journey shows commitment to growth.
Self-awareness helps you identify when language skills are holding you back, allowing you to seek feedback and improve.
Most recruiters don’t worry too much about your accent or small language mistakes. It is more important for your hiring manager and team members to understand you clearly. By being open about your learning journey, you can build a stronger connection with your future team. Asking for support is not a weakness—it shows you are committed to growth and teamwork.
Self-awareness also helps you know if your language skills are holding you back. For example, if you often misunderstand tasks or struggle to explain your ideas in meetings, that’s a sign that you need to improve. Asking for feedback from coworkers or mentors can help you identify areas to work on and improve your communication skills.
Overcoming Language Barriers at Work
Key Takeaways
Don’t be afraid to ask coworkers to slow down during meetings; it helps everyone be more effective.
Use meeting notes and agendas to fill in gaps in understanding and prepare for future meetings.
Active listening is key to building trust and strong relationships, especially in multicultural teams.
Overcoming language barriers is an important step for non-native speakers working in teams where most people speak English fluently. Here are three ways to do that:
Ask for a Slower Pace
Don’t be afraid to ask your coworkers to slow down during meetings. It might feel awkward at first, but it helps you understand the discussion better, which helps the whole team. Your contributions matter, and making sure you understand helps you share your ideas more effectively.
Use Meeting Notes and Agendas
Always use meeting notes, agendas, and transcripts. These tools help you follow the conversation better and give you the chance to review details later if you need more clarity. This way, you can fill in any gaps in your understanding and be ready to contribute to future meetings.
Practice Active Listening
Active listening is another important skill. Listening carefully and responding thoughtfully can make you stand out, especially in leadership roles where understanding others and building trust are key. Practicing active listening helps you understand others better, meet their needs, and work as a better team. In multicultural teams, active listening helps build empathy and strong relationships, which are very important for career growth.
The Importance of Cultural Understanding
Key Takeaways
Cultural understanding goes beyond language; it includes behaviors, values, and social norms.
Engaging with local pop culture helps you connect with others and build relationships.
Understanding cultural differences helps you adapt your leadership style and become more inclusive.
Books like Erin Meyer’s “The Culture Map,” resources on Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, and the Talaera free webinars are good places to start learning more about cultural differences. You can also learn a lot by engaging with the pop culture of the region you’re working in—like following local memes, understanding common jokes, and staying up to date with cultural trends. This kind of knowledge can help you connect with others more quickly and establish good relationships.
Understanding different cultures also makes you a better leader in international settings. When you know what motivates people from different backgrounds, how they see authority, and how they solve problems, you can adapt your leadership style to be more inclusive and effective. This ability to adapt is an important quality for successful leaders in global companies.
Embracing Mistakes and Encouraging Inclusion
Key Takeaways
Making mistakes is normal; embracing them helps you grow faster.
Buddy systems during onboarding can make a big difference for new hires.
Inclusive workplaces value diversity and help non-native speakers feel comfortable sharing their ideas.
For companies, encouraging inclusion is very important for helping international talent feel welcome. Good programs like buddy systems during onboarding, where new hires are paired with both a work buddy (to help with work questions) and a social buddy (to help them fit in culturally), can make a big difference. Employee resource groups and inclusive leadership programs also help create a supportive environment for everyone.
Inclusive workplaces value the diversity each employee brings. By creating an environment where non-native speakers feel comfortable sharing their ideas, companies can use the full potential of their workforce. Promoting open conversations, celebrating cultural holidays, and offering language support are ways companies can foster inclusion and help employees feel valued.
Communication Tips for Future Leaders
Key Takeaways
Practicing public speaking and joining improv classes can help you become a more confident communicator.
Leaders need to understand cultural norms and adjust their communication style to connect with their teams.
Building empathy and understanding cultural differences are essential traits for effective leadership.
Cultural intelligence is also important, especially for leaders working in international settings. Leaders need to be able to understand different cultural norms and adjust their communication style. Building relationships with people from different backgrounds and talking about cultural differences can be great learning experiences and help you become a more empathetic leader. Being able to connect with your team, understand their challenges, and motivate them is key to good leadership.
Final Thoughts: Be Yourself
Instead of trying to sound like a native speaker or fully fit into a new culture, non-native professionals should bring their own unique perspectives. Mixing different cultures, languages, and experiences makes workplaces more interesting and leads to new ideas. Diversity leads to better problem-solving, more creativity, and a better work environment for everyone.
Whether you’re just starting your career or aiming for a leadership role, focusing on being clear, understanding different cultures, and being yourself can open up opportunities you didn’t even know were possible. “Language skills are the bridge between potential and opportunity.” Embrace your journey, bring your true self to work, and use your language skills to reach your full potential.
Take the Next Step
For more tips on growing your career as a non-native English speaker, make sure to follow Talaera Talks and check out our free webinars on business communication, cultural intelligence, and career development. Remember, language skills, cultural understanding, and the confidence to learn from mistakes are the keys to a successful and rewarding career.
About Today’s Talaera Talks Guest Speaker
Oana Iordachescu is a Talent and TA Executive Advisor and DEI Strategist with over 15 years of experience in Technology Talent Acquisition and DEI solutions. She is the founder of Fa!r, a consulting firm that helps organizations build sustainable businesses and inclusive workplaces by co-creating and implementing personalized DEI strategies, workshops, training, hiring, and events design. Oana is also the Conference Director at Fair Barcelona, the first annual workplace inclusion immersive event that connects policymakers, DEI experts, and inclusive leaders for a more equitable and inclusive future of work. She is a professional speaker and podcast host, a CIPD-certified HR professional, and a Yale School of Management alumna. She is passionate about amplifying initiatives that create an inclusive and resilient workplace, and empowering leaders to take action with confidence. Learn more on www.faircultures.com.
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