If I want to switch my career over to working in translation what should I do?
If you can, figure out what aspect of the translation industry interests you. If it’s too early to tell, then you should evaluate yourself, vis-a-vis the industry and the market. Start out by figuring out 1) what your skills are; 2) what skills you lack; 3) what certifications you must have—if any; 4) what certifications would be helpful to have. Don’t quit your day job, so to speak, until you can show a prospective client that you know what you’re doing, either by having references, previous satisfied clients, a portfolio of translation projects, or a certification. If you’re making the switch from something else, see if you can specialize in translating texts related to your previous business or career, too, as your years of knowledge in that field will give you a huge leg up on the competition.
-By Adriana Tassini
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