Opportunities that Foreign‑Language Ability Brings​

When you add a second language to your résumé, it can create a clear advantage in the job market.

Example
 ​Non‑Japanese international students​ have been hired for the ​Japanese Practice​ of large U.S. accounting firms. This practice serves Japanese clients operating in the United States, so fluency in Japanese is essential. Positions are based in major cities such as New York, and candidates from well‑known accounting schools in the Midwest (e.g., the University of Illinois and Notre Dame) have also secured these roles.

Even though some of these candidates entered the workplace with relatively limited English proficiency, their Japanese language skills were highly valued, leading to hiring. (Many of them reported that their English improved quickly after joining, indicating strong overall language‑learning ability.)

The United States hosts many multinational corporations, so while English remains the core skill, firms also look for applicants who can communicate in the language of their overseas clients. Large professional‑services firms, especially those that serve clients from many countries, often need speakers of a variety of languages.

Practical Tips

. Visit the company’s ​Careers​ page and search directly there.
. Enter ​language‑related keywords​ in the search bar (e.g., Japanese, French, Korean, German, Vietnamese, Chinese).
. Alternatively, use the career portal’s keyword search and type the language you are proficient in.

General Insight

When a particular country has many of its firms operating in the U.S., but the pool of international students from that country entering the job market is relatively small, proficiency in that country’s language can become a valuable employment edge.