| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: How often do new clients request to see copies of your credentials? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How often do new clients request to see copies of your credentials?".
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629
| | | | lorette 
France
Local time: 02:58
German to French
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| once in three years | Nov 15, 2007 |
**
| | | | Jocelyne S
France
Local time: 02:58
French to English
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I chose "Sometimes" but "Rarely" would have been much more accurate.
It has happened but is not common practice. I haven't even had to provide a full resumé in awhile, which is actually a bad thing as it means that it's no longer all that up to date and will take some time updating next time someone asks for it. For now, I'm too busy to think about it anyhow.
Best,
Jocelyne
| | | | Claire Cox
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:58
French to English
+ ...
| And strangely enough... | Nov 15, 2007 |
.... the ones that do are invariably those that never come back with any concrete work. Especially if they've asked for a test translation too.
You wonder whether it's worth the effort....
I answered sometimes, by the way - more often than not people are happy to go by your profile/recommendation.
[Edited at 2007-11-15 13:32]
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John Cutler
Spain
Local time: 02:58
Spanish to English
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| Once in 22 years | Nov 15, 2007 |
And I didn't bother to send them, but got the job (and repeat work) anyway
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Claire Cox wrote:
.... the ones that do are invariably those that never come back with any concrete work. Especially if they've asked for a test translation too.
You wonder whether it's worth the effort....
I answered sometimes, by the way - more often than not people are happy to go by your profile/recommendation.
[Edited at 2007-11-15 13:32]
It's odd but very true. I have found that with 1 very notable exception, the amount of hoop-jumping an agency makes you do is inversely proportional to the amount of work they send you afterwards
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Clients and translation agencies have never asked for that. In fact, I had to submit copies of all my university diplomas for a large tender.
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Konstantin Kisin wrote: I have found that with 1 very notable exception, the amount of hoop-jumping an agency makes you do is inversely proportional to the amount of work they send you afterwards
So true!! It seems to be the big agencies who make you fill out billions of forms, do huge test translations and provide references in triplicate - and then never get back to you with work! I've given up form-filling for the time being, since I'm happy with my current client base. Perhaps if work ever slows down, I'll actually tackle that stack of "Vendor Questionnaires" gathering dust on the shelf...
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I've never been asked to supply certificates, diplomas, etc. I couldn't provide them now anyway - they're long lost in the mists of antiquity.
I agree about the hoop-jumping. The big ring-masters never seem to provide any actual work.
Regards,
Jenny.
| | | | Edward Potter
Spain
Local time: 02:58
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...
| The proof is in the pudding | Nov 15, 2007 |
When I outsource I just give an initial job and see how the translator handles it.
I really couldn't care less if you dropped out of elementary school or whatever. What matters to me is if you do your job well.
| | | | Juan Jacob
Mexico
Local time: 18:58
French to Spanish
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| Dont' have any. | Nov 16, 2007 |
So I don't think their too important.
I do what I do, I do it all right. Everybody knows that in Mexico. And that's enough.
| | | | R. Alex Jenkins
Brazil
Local time: 21:58
Member (2006)
Portuguese to English
+ ...
| Incredible statistics | Nov 16, 2007 |
What incredible figures - 60 percent - that's 600 people out of 1000, say they have NEVER, ever been asked for any credentials. 'Never' is a very strong word! Does that mean that if I say I've got a PhD in Translation at Cambridge University for example (and no I don't) that 60% of the translation agencies are going to believe me (or let's be more accurate, not going to show a blind bit of interest)?
30% say only 'sometimes'!
Only 2-3% say they are asked for credentials... See more What incredible figures - 60 percent - that's 600 people out of 1000, say they have NEVER, ever been asked for any credentials. 'Never' is a very strong word! Does that mean that if I say I've got a PhD in Translation at Cambridge University for example (and no I don't) that 60% of the translation agencies are going to believe me (or let's be more accurate, not going to show a blind bit of interest)?
30% say only 'sometimes'!
Only 2-3% say they are asked for credentials on a regular basis.
Does that mean we can lie on our C.V.s and hardly anyone is going to care? I HOPE NOT and I'm not going to start, but I'm extremely surprised by these figures. Saying that though, I've never been asked to prove my credentials by an agency either, but I have been asked to do translation tests on many occasions.
Great post and an eye-opening amount of feedback... ▲ Collapse
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| Professionalism is translator's most trustworthy credential! | Nov 16, 2007 |
In my opinion, the best credential of a translator is his or her professionalism. I met many people with heaps of diplomas and certificates who were unable to make a meanigful translation.
| | | | Mariam Osmann
Egypt
Local time: 02:58
Member (2007)
English to Arabic
+ ...
chose "Sometimes" but "Rarely" would have been much more accurate.
had to submit copies of all my university diplomas for a large tender..
I was about to post a question on forum inquiring about the following:
What about agencies refusing to issue a reference letter, while they asked for reference before assigning the work?
| | | | | Possible to lie on CV - but hardly wise! | Nov 16, 2007 |
Richard Jenkins wrote:
What incredible figures - 60 percent - that's 600 people out of 1000, say they have NEVER, ever been asked for any credentials. 'Never' is a very strong word! Does that mean that if I say I've got a PhD in Translation at Cambridge University for example (and no I don't) that 60% of the translation agencies are going to believe me (or let's be more accurate, not going to show a blind bit of interest)?
30% say only 'sometimes'!
Only 2-3% say they are asked for credentials on a regular basis.
Does that mean we can lie on our C.V.s and hardly anyone is going to care? I HOPE NOT and I'm not going to start, but I'm extremely surprised by these figures. Saying that though, I've never been asked to prove my credentials by an agency either, but I have been asked to do translation tests on many occasions.
Great post and an eye-opening amount of feedback...
Hullo Richard,
As you say, it would certainly be possible to lie about one's qualifications on a CV, and doubtless some people do, but it would hardly be wise. Surely, the lack of ability would show up in practice sooner or later. (Perhaps that's why we get so many annoying, elementary Kudoz questions?)
As many have said, professional performance and experience seem to be what most clients want and appreciate.
I've read in other Proz postings that occasinally whole CVs have been hijacked by someone else. Extraordinary but apparently true.
But it's true, as far as I can remember I have NEVER been asked to present my certificates and diplomas - but I have, of course, often been asked for references.
Yes, eye-opening feedback.
Regards,
Jenny.
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