Seeking new ways to find translation jobs Thread poster: Alexandre Chetrite
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Hello, I am looking for new ways to find translation jobs. Apart from answering translation ads on Proz.com or other websites and sending CV's to translation agencies, do you know any other way to get translations? Best regards, Alexandre | | |
Hi Alexandre You'll find all kinds of useful advice just by reading the posts on this forum! Generally speaking, the ads on Proz.com are not a great source of work unless you're willing to accept below-average rates, but that may not be a problem if you're still gaining a foothold in the industry. Also, are you including a sample translation when you send out your CV? That will often say far more about you than the letters after your name. Good luck!
[Edited at 2... See more Hi Alexandre You'll find all kinds of useful advice just by reading the posts on this forum! Generally speaking, the ads on Proz.com are not a great source of work unless you're willing to accept below-average rates, but that may not be a problem if you're still gaining a foothold in the industry. Also, are you including a sample translation when you send out your CV? That will often say far more about you than the letters after your name. Good luck!
[Edited at 2011-04-20 23:24 GMT] ▲ Collapse | | | Strategies to get jobs at ProZ.com | Apr 20, 2011 |
Hello Alexandre, You should know that, at ProZ.com, the main channel to get jobs are direct searches outsourcers conduct in the directory. With this in mind, there are a few easy things you can do to make sure potential clients searching the directory for language professionals see you, and that once they see you, that they remain interested. These few things are what, at ProZ.com, are called winning... See more Hello Alexandre, You should know that, at ProZ.com, the main channel to get jobs are direct searches outsourcers conduct in the directory. With this in mind, there are a few easy things you can do to make sure potential clients searching the directory for language professionals see you, and that once they see you, that they remain interested. These few things are what, at ProZ.com, are called winning strategies. ProZ.com winning strategies include: 1. A good profile, as your profile serves as your business card and directory listing, and it is the first impression of you that colleagues and potential clients will have when they find you at ProZ.com and when running web searches. 2. Membership, as members are ranked ahead of non-members in the directory of freelancers and interpreters, http://www.proz.com/translator-directory/ , and are then more visible in searches. Visit this page to check your current directory ranking. 3. KudoZ PRO points in your language pairs and fields of expertise, as this is how directory search results are ranked among the first group (members) and the second group (non-members). A few minutes of effort, a few times a month, may be all that is needed to boost your position in the freelancer directory. 4. Specialization. Let potential clients know what your fields of expertise are by listing fields in your profile in order --your specialty fields must be ordered accordingly, earning KudoZ points in those fields and in your top language pair, providing details in your "About me", etc. More tips on how to show your specialization are available here. 5. PRO status, as becoming a certified PRO will allow you to network and collaborate in an environment consisting entirely of screened professionals, including companies seeking the services of certified PROs only. (it is extremely important though that all previous strategies are put into use, and that all required information is gathered, before applying for inclusion into the Certified PRO Network). Perhaps you would like to sign up for one of the free webinars on "Meeting clients at ProZ.com" I offer on a weekly basis. Next webinar is on April 29, at 16:000 GMT: http://www.proz.com/translator-training/course/4640 Also, for more information on ProZ.com winning strategies, just visit http://wiki.proz.com/wiki/index.php/ProZ.com_winning_strategies Or else, watch this short video: http://www.proz.com/videos/tutorials%20on%20proz.com/607 Hope this helps! Kind regards, Lucía ▲ Collapse | | | Your past achievements | Apr 21, 2011 |
If your past achievements are impressive, many agencies are eager to hire you. I always urge new translators to do volunteer jobs to accumulate good job records and pile up job samples. Soonthon Lupkitaro | |
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Education, training, certification | Apr 21, 2011 |
The competition in our market is fierce. In order to get the jobs, you need to be attractive for the oursourcer, who additionally needs some way of identifying your level of proficiency in translation. From your CV I see that you have an excellent education in economics and management, but not in translation. If you are serious about being a full-time translator and translation is not something you do while you get a good job in your career y economics, you definitely need to check ... See more The competition in our market is fierce. In order to get the jobs, you need to be attractive for the oursourcer, who additionally needs some way of identifying your level of proficiency in translation. From your CV I see that you have an excellent education in economics and management, but not in translation. If you are serious about being a full-time translator and translation is not something you do while you get a good job in your career y economics, you definitely need to check about comprehensive translation courses with a local university. It is not enough to master a foreign language and a subject matter to become a translator. You need to understand what translation is all about. Also, when you feel confident that your training as a translator is sufficient, you could try certification in an internally recognised programme, like the American Translators Association's certification or the Chartered Institute of Linguists' Diploma in translation. They are difficult exams with a rather low pass rate, so you definitely want to evaluate your capabilities by hiring an experienced translator who can send you sample texts and evaluate them, to better pinpoint your weaknesses and be able to work on them. Another thing I would do is to remove the rates from your CV. For a French translator, they are rather low and put you in the run-of-the-mill level, thus making you less attractive for a person with your qualification. Good luck! ▲ Collapse | | |
Hi, Alexandre, Tomas is absolutely right! IMO you must multiply, at least, by 2 your minimum rate. For a minimum rate, it is better to indicate a flat rate for any document of less than 300 words. It is that way that "minimum rate" is usually understood by clients/agencies About your "normal" rate, add at least 50%. It is not a good policy to ask for less than what you are worth. Bon courage Catherine | | | Ashley Wans United States Local time: 12:44 Spanish to English + ... Local and national organizations | Apr 21, 2011 |
Are there any organizations in your area that you can join that will help you network and also allow you to list yourself in their directory? In my area there is NOTIS, the Northwest Translator and Interpreter Society, which holds events and maintains an online listing of local translators. There are also national organizations, such as the American Translator Association. The ATA holds events, some of which are educational and some of which are more geared towards networking, as ... See more Are there any organizations in your area that you can join that will help you network and also allow you to list yourself in their directory? In my area there is NOTIS, the Northwest Translator and Interpreter Society, which holds events and maintains an online listing of local translators. There are also national organizations, such as the American Translator Association. The ATA holds events, some of which are educational and some of which are more geared towards networking, as well as offering a very well respected certification exam program. You might want to look into organizations as a method for networking, furthering your education about the translation field, and advertising your services. ▲ Collapse | | | Another point! | Apr 21, 2011 |
re-Hi! There is another thing which, in MHO, might hold back potential clients : the title of your profile. Maybe I am a bit stupid, but when I read "Native Eng>French Translator specializing in IT and Business", I understand that your native language is English. It is at least a confounding factor. Bonne journée Catherine | |
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Antonella Andreella (X) Italy Local time: 21:44 German to Italian + ... Another point | Apr 21, 2011 |
Right, in fact when I read it I understand his native language is French Antonella | | |
... doesn't matter
[Modifié le 2011-04-21 13:54 GMT] | | | Antonella Andreella (X) Italy Local time: 21:44 German to Italian + ... Perfection... | Apr 21, 2011 |
I apologize, but IMHO this does not belong to our profession... and we, the translators, should be the first to have a sort of awareness of that, given that the industry can't... And... I dont' translate from EN>FR so I cannot give my opinion on that. However, even if Alexandre Chetrite's translations are not perfect (provided a standard exists for that) I don't think that pointing this out in a forum could be of any help for us, the translators. And I don'... See more I apologize, but IMHO this does not belong to our profession... and we, the translators, should be the first to have a sort of awareness of that, given that the industry can't... And... I dont' translate from EN>FR so I cannot give my opinion on that. However, even if Alexandre Chetrite's translations are not perfect (provided a standard exists for that) I don't think that pointing this out in a forum could be of any help for us, the translators. And I don't think this can be of any use wahtsoever considering his topic's title: "Seeking new way to find translation jobs" Antonella
[Edited at 2011-04-21 13:43 GMT] ▲ Collapse | | | Sheila Wilson Spain Local time: 20:44 Member (2007) English + ... Again, constructive criticism intended | Apr 21, 2011 |
Jehanne Henin wrote: Sorry to be blunt but maybe you should start by checking the samples included in your portfolio. These are supposed to be samples of your best works and should be absolutely perfect, otherwise they can have the opposite effet to what is intended. By referring to your ProZ profile as your website, you are making it your shop window. English is not your native language so does not have to be faultless in emails etc, but I think that two "silly" errors in the first four lines will dissuade most clients from hiring you. After all, they are looking for attention to detail and a polished deliverable. Edited to comment on the previous posting: I agree that it is not in direct line with the original posting. However, this thread is in the "getting established" forum so one assumes that this is an inexperienced translator trying to get established. Constructive criticism of how the wished-for potential clients will view you has to be useful, I would have thought.
[Edited at 2011-04-21 13:53 GMT] | |
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My aim was not to criticize but to point to Alexandre one of the reasons which may explain why he has difficulties to find translation jobs. To Sheila: You're quoting my message so I'm not sure... are you referring to MY website ? Because my website has been translated by a professional British translator... so if you've found "silly" mistakes in it, please send me an e-mail!
[Modifié le 2011-04-21 14:15 GMT] | | | Sheila Wilson Spain Local time: 20:44 Member (2007) English + ... Who is "you"? | Apr 21, 2011 |
Jehanne Henin wrote: To Sheila: You're quoting my message so I'm not sure... are you referring to MY website ? I see what you mean, Jehanne, it is confusing. I can assure you that your translator did a good job! | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Seeking new ways to find translation jobs Wordfast Pro | Translation Memory Software for Any Platform
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