How to Get Government Translation Jobs
As an entity that frequently conducts affairs in other countries, the government is a good place for linguists to look for a translation job. Granted you will likely be working in an office all day and rec
eiving assignments from your supervisor. However, you will receive a steady paycheck and have access to health insurance. Getting government translation jobs is not the same as applying for jobs at regular businesses or going freelance. There are some steps involved that you will probably never have to complete when you submit an application for a civilian job. Here are the steps to obtaining a translation job with the government.You must first figure out where the jobs are. There are many departments within the government that need translators. This includes the military, the FBI, CIA, and even local government offices such as the Department of Social Services. The government advertises jobs in several different places. They will post them on the individual office’s website. Sometimes they also get posted to regular job boards like Yahoo! Jobs. The best way to find out where to look for translation jobs is to use a search engine like Google. This will provide you with a starting point that will eventually lead you where you want to go.
The majority of government offices require you to fill out a proprietary application rather than submit a resume. Most times you can attach your resume to the application but it will not be accepted on its own. Call or email the department you are applying to and find out their exact procedures. The government is not like corporate America. If you don’t follow the rules then your application will be rejected. However, be certain to detail the education, credentials, and experience that relates to the position you are applying for.
Depending on where you have applied for work, you may have to undergo a background check for a security clearance. The government will investigate your criminal past, previous work history, and even your credit to make sure that you are not a security risk. The higher the clearance that is needed, the more in-depth the background check will be. You need to be prepared for this as if there is anything in your history that would disqualify you then you need to be upfront about it. After you submit your paperwork it usually takes the government a few weeks to several months to make a decision so be patient.
-By Adriana Tassini
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