How to Gain Employment as a Translator

How to Gain Employment as a Translator

Finding employment as a translator is one of the many challenges to having a long and fulfilling career. However, if you organize yourself and look in the right places, you will be able to find a job that you enjoy and pay well. The first step to getting a job as a translator is to determine what type of work you want to do. You can do freelance projects where you basically own a small translation business or you can find a job at a translation and interpretation company. Some people do both as a way of ensuring that they will have a steady stream of income flowing.

Once you have figured out how you want to gain employment as a translator, you will need to create a resume (or CV) that highlights your education, skills, and experience in a positive way. If you need to, you may want to hire a professional resume writer who will be able to arrange the information in a way that impresses future employers. At the very least, your resume should show that you know how to perform the required work and that you will be a valuable member of the business. Submit your resume to as many companies as you can. A lot of the time, getting an interview is really a numbers game.

If the company is impressed enough, they will call you for an interview. It is always a good idea to brush up on your interview skills. One helpful thing to understand about interviews is that the manager isn’t really there to assess your skills and knowledge. Generally, they can get an idea of your abilities from your resume. What the hiring manager really wants to know is if you will be a good fit on their team. Your job is to assure them that you are a team player who will work to help the company succeed.

Try to think of answers to questions the interviewer may ask you. The answers should feel natural and highlight your good qualities. If you are certified as a translator, be certain that the interviewer knows this because it makes you look very professional. If you need to, practice with a friend or family member. The company may have you do a test translation to judge your interpretation abilities. Do your best and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you need to.

-By Adriana Tassini

The following Translator Q & A is part of our Translator FAQ Series.Question:Answer: Learn more:Tags: How to Gain Employment as a Translator, Working as a Translator, Translator Employment, Translation Employment, Translation Job, Translator Job.