Suddenly, I can't get 80% of jobs in my field, b/c I don't speak SPANISH! This is America! What's going on?!

Question

For years I worked at major companies as a customer service rep. It was decent money to me considering I only have a few yrs of college, not a full degree yet. I was good at it and was always offered jobs and a valued employee. 2 years ago I worked for General Electric.They closed my entire worksite b/c of contract conflicts w/the company who's accnt we serviced. I took a break to take some more classes. When I returned to my field 1.2 yrs later (2005), I was astonished to find that I was no longer able to get a job w/the best paying companies or even average ones. Why? Because I don't speak SPANISH! Ad after ad in the paper, on the job websites, etc: "Bilingual in English and Spanish only need apply" and "Bilingual a MUST!". Is this still the USA?! I realize that times change. Businesses are more global now. One has to stay abreast to remain competitive but GOOD GRIEF! Do the French have to also speak Russian to get a measly 28 Grand a year?! What is happening here? Anyone know why?

"Non-Compassionate" you win my very first abuse report! Woo-Hoo. Just for you for: Not giving a question or an answer, point gaming, insulting other participant and just being an all around dick. :). I'm sure your mom's proud.

Answer 1

Its called hypocrisy! Spanish speakers dont have to learn english, but english speakers must know spanish or another language in order to get a job.

Answer 2

Because there a large population of only Spanish speaking peoples in the the United States. Think of it this way. A telephone business was hiring for a job as a telephone operator and there are to applicants. One who speaks both English and Spanish and one who speaks English only. A Spanish/English speaker would be able to help Spanish speaking costumers and English speaking costumers, while the English speaking applicant would only be able to help English speakers. More costumers means more money, and a Spanish/English speaker would be able to help more costumers, therefore, provide the telephone business with more money. That is why a business would want to hire a Spanish/English speaker rather a English speaker only. As for the French speaking Russian. There aren't many people in France who are Russian, so you wouldn't really need to know Russian if you were in France. Also, Russia made Russian the official language while the United States, even though more than 80% of the population speaks English, have never set English as the official language. (p.s. This does not mean I am in support or against illegal immigration or that I am or am not anti-american. Im just stating facts.)

Answer 3

I'm sorry - I don't think that it is right that you "have" to speak Spanish in the USA in order to get a job. How is it that the employers I hear about who seem to want "bilingual" Spanish/English speakers then tend to hire illegal immigrants when I understand most of them do not speak English? It is because the employers don't really care that you can't speak Spanish so much as they want to be able to hire an illegal immigrant for far below what they will have to pay you and this is their way for getting out of having to hire you at the legal wage.

I live in Canada and while this is a "bilingual" country with two official languages - English and French, I have never been prevented from getting a job because I don't speak French; nor, have I heard of anyone else who has been declined employment for that reason. This may be the case in Quebec (I live in British Columbia), but honestly, here in Canada where we are officially a bilingual country, we do not have the problem that you in the USA are having due to the Spanish language requirement for so many jobs. Go figure!

Answer 4

When Americans both African American and Caucasian started noticing the same thing in Nevada as far back as 1995, nothing was done about it. Those that speak Spanish got all of the better paying jobs and Americans more qualified were passed over. And it is still happening!

Nobody said a word when jobs in Detroit started moving south of the border either. Jobs moved out of Chicago to include Zenith, RCA and Motorola. Now with House Bill 1-B that is currently on the floor of Congress and both Democrats and Republicans that are run by Corporate America are all for sending more High Tech jobs overseas and importing more Illegal aliens to take the rest of the High Tech jobs in America.

All I can say is this, Americans are going to be expected to assimilate into their culture, not the other way around. The rich in the Democratic and Republican Parties DON'T CARE!

Answer 5

Actually, the language that everyone should be learning is JAPANESE!

In about 20 years, most American corporations will be owned by Japanese mega-corporations. The Japanese yen is currently much stronger than the American dollar, and it's only a matter of time before American corporations are bought-out by their Japanese counterparts.

So, anyone who wants to conduct business in the near future will have to know Japanese, not Spanish. And even the Spanish-speakers will all need to learn Japanese. Get used to it, because it's coming, whether we like it or not.

To Mexican Mafia - I don't see many Mexicans owning any corporations, so you don't have to worry about the Japanese takeover. And if there ARE any Mexican-owned corporations out there, a Japanese corporation will buy them out pretty soon anyway. Then the Mexicans will have to learn Japanese too. Don't be so arrogant to think you're above this, because soon most international business will be owned by a Japanese corporation. They are already buying up European corporations, it's only a matter of time before they start buying up American corporations as well.

To Angela R - the "vast majority" do NOT speak Spanish. According to the 2000 census, there are 100 million Mexican citizens. There are about 20 million in Central America, which is considered part of North America, and most of those speak Spanish. So you have 120 million Spanish speakers on our continent. The US has 281 million people (2000 census). Maybe 20% speak Spanish (personally, I speak French). Our neighbors to the north don't speak Spanish at all, they speak English and French. Please don't use a term like "vast majority" when it's not even 40%.

Answer 6

I have the same damn problem!!!! This is why I hate illegal immigration!!!! They are now only hiring persons who speak spanish and this is terrible. We are in America. All the prior immigrants, including mny hispanic immigrants, have learned english, why the hell can't the illegals!!!!

Answer 7

Amiga, learn Spanish, in all the jobs, in all the countries, if you speak more than only one language you win more money.

Answer 8

I have been through it too-it is so frustrating! All of the immigrants have come from Spanish speaking countries and all the companies want everyone to conform. It is a sad fact . Our opportunites have almost all been taken away, and everyone needs to fight for change-I want to be able to give my kids a good life and all of the immigration is making it so hard. I am not learning Spanish so I just opened my own company.

Answer 9

Yahoo questions is slowly letting me realize, the human race is disgusting. I've never come across so much hate in my life. And for the question...give me one hispanic that said to your face "you need to learn spanish". Give me one! I don't think you can. It's our AMERICAN companies that want us to learn Spanish. Don't yell at the hispanics...yell at capitalism.

Answer 10

lear spanish is your better option, I speak 3 english,spanish and french and i never have problems finding a job, and i win a bit mora that persons that speak only one,

Answer 11

Why is it the Spanish speaking population is the ONLY one in the US blatantly demanding WE learn Spanish?

Ever hear of any other immersion schools BESIDES Spanish?


The fact there are so many here in the US is indeed a copout answer!