Will anyone in the translation industry hire me if I have no real experience yet?
Yes, although it’s always hard to get your foot in the door of any business. But everyone has to start somewhere, and people recognize that.
If you don’t have any experience, you should a) put together a portfolio of sample translations; b) get referrals; c) look for pro bono work; d) start small and local, i.e., see if anyone in your circle of friends, family, and extended network could use your services for peanuts or even for free. Someone probably does and that will be your first referral or your first client. Plus, when you’re looking for work, you have to be persistent. Go for higher percentage success methods, for example, instead of just randomly sending your resume out to every translation company in town—although that can potentially work, too, if you have some patience and a thick skin.-By Adriana Tassini
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