To get your dream job, it is hard enough in today’s job market to just have a good education, because the competition is fierce. What you need is the right mix of education, experience, and soft skills to stand out from the crowd. Foreign language skills are also in great demand.

We’ll tell you how to outperform the competition in the job market.

Improve your foreign language skills

Learning a new language also means that you can add another point to your résumé that makes an impression. Because that not only signals that you are curious and interested but also shows that you want to learn and expand your knowledge and skills. Language skills are always profitable and often go hand in hand with higher income.

English is of course one of the most sought-after languages, which is due to the global dominance of English and its leading role in global trade, diplomacy, and the academic world. But there are also many other languages ​​in demand that often appear in job advertisements under the ‘desired’ knowledge: These include Arabic, Mandarin, and Spanish because these languages ​​not only have millions of native speakers but also have great geopolitical and economic weight on the world stage.

Gain intercultural experience

Whether you work, study, or study abroad – if you broaden your horizons and gain experience with everyday life in other cultures, it will also contribute to your personal growth.

You face challenges that you would not even encounter at home, and thereby become more adaptable and learn to solve problems creatively and not let unexpected situations scare you into the field. All of these are essential skills that are also in demand on the job market.

Studies have also shown that people who have lived abroad tend to have a more pronounced feeling for who they actually are, and thus automatically are also better placed to find out what to expect from their professional careers. This means that it is also more likely that you will only apply for jobs and positions that you are actually interested in, and that in turn may only please employers.

Education and further training

In many areas, you are more likely to find a job and earn significantly more if you have a university degree. In particular, sectors such as banking and finance, business, politics, and trade only employ applicants with a university degree in many positions. That’s why it’s all the more important that you find a course that suits you.

However, employers not only pay attention to the hard-earned degree itself but also see it as proof that you have a goal to work towards you, solve problems, and think for yourself.

Do you already have a degree? But learning does not have to and should not stop there. Continuing education (whether online or in on-site courses: today there are endless possibilities in all conceivable areas) is perfectly suited to continuously expand and deepen your skills and knowledge.

Network!

You keep hearing that it doesn’t matter what you know, but who you know, and there is a grain of truth in there. Good education and the right amount of relevant life experience are certainly central to success, but when it comes to finding the right job (and then being considered for it), who you are can play a big role knows.

That’s why networking is definitely part of everyday life, even if it sometimes feels like a tedious task. This is the only way to collect contacts that you can use later. Attend networking evenings, conferences, and meetings; Have a polite, friendly conversation with anyone you come across (here are some more tips on networking like a pro).

Don’t forget to keep in touch with the most interesting people, even if you are you’re not looking for a job right now. You never know who will think of you one day and propose you for a position because he or she has the feeling that you are exactly the right person for the position, or who may be able to provide the necessary practical experience.

Gather relevant work experience

How do you get the first real job when every job advertisement already requires knowledge and experience in the respective area? It is best to do an internship or gain other work experience.

Ask around in your network or research the Internet to find opportunities to work as an intern in your dream industry. Maybe you have to make your time available free of charge at the beginning and work your way up from the very bottom, but even if you just get coffee, do the filing, or are responsible for the social media account of a company in your dream industry, these are the first steps on your personal career ladder.

If you already have work experience on your résumé, you are better qualified for a full-time position than many other applicants fresh from university. In addition, internships give you a clearer idea of ​​whether the career you are aiming for is actually the right one for you before you get involved in a permanent position.