Employment Post INSEAD, consulting in country w/o language skills?

Question

The long version of my question is such: If I go to INSEAD as an American with mainly fluency in English but practical knowledge of a second language (Spanish) and while there study a third to basic understanding (say Arabic), will I then be competitive for consulting and other corporate positions outside of UK and Spain? Would I be competitive for any post-MBA level career positions in France, Sweden, Denmark, Asia, Africa, ect. where I have no knowledge of the local language?

Does McKinsey's office in Paris and Prague have a large number of employees that don't speak French or Czech?

Thanks.

Does McKinsey's office in Paris and Prague have a large number of employees that don't speak French or Czech?

Thanks.

PTK · Answer

bump 
great topic!

I dont know much about that, but I think that you can employ in Middle East, Asia, Africa as american without knowledge of local language. However I think you will be limited to consulting projects in which every paper (dopcument) is kept in both local and English language (applicable for international companies).

pratap92 · Answer

Great topic! bumping the post.

zero722 · Answer

great question, I would love to learn some insights this as well. I understand english will be the language most place use for business, but I fear outside of work if you lack the knowledge of the local language, you won't fit in well...

gabbs · Answer

Hey

Well for consulting roles.. the hiring is very office specific.. so outside UK and Spain . they usually do require local language / experience in way of work, time spent studying - something that convinces them that you can be put in front of the local clients..

For Asia and Africa I must admit the number of high quality local candidates is high and hence the chances for other non locals is low ( very very competitive..)

zero722 · Answer

I see, that is interesting, so how come Spain is on the same page with UK? You do not need to speak Spanish? Do you have any insight on the Nordic countries?

gabbs · Answer

I just assumed you hav some spanish experience.. otherwise similar like others i feel..

I know a few who got into Consulting roles in Nordic and all of them had some experience in region / were from the country of hire..

PlastMan · Answer

IMO such an average person wouldn't be able to compete with native speakers that know the market, have connections, etc.

rk66 · Answer

I am personally not looking into consulting atm. but can offer a few insights (being Czech) and have previously done some research into consulting in the Nordic countries.

In the Czech Republic it would be difficult to get the position without knowledge of Czech for the reasons stated above (most documents and discussions with the client done in Czech - although they do sometimes bring in experts from other countries, so there must be some communication in other languages, but I believe this is only when the said expert has expertise in a niche not known to anyone here - which inexperienced hire probably will not have).

However I know for a fact that Bain Scandinavia (Stockholm) specifically says that not knowing Scandinavian language is not a disadvantage when applying (given a candidate is fluent in English)

bb · Answer

Employment Post INSEAD, consulting in country w/o language skills?

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