ProZ.com Translation Article Knowledgebase - Articles about translation and interpreting

Published on 06/8/2005

This user manual contains all of the functions and features available at ProZ.com. The manual may be used guide for a new user and/or a reference for an experienced user.

Manual Overview

This user manual contains all of the functions and features available at ProZ.com. The manual may be used as a guide for a new user and/or a reference for an experienced user.

Note: There is a checklist that users may copy and paste in order to keep track of sections already read. (This checklist is located at the bottom of the user manual list.)

History of ProZ.com

ProZ.com was founded just over 5 years ago by former Japanese translator, Henry Dotterer. Through his experiences as a translator, Henry noticed a need for a global workplace for service providers and outsourcers to come together to help each other's business grow, do better work, and have more fun. Thus, ProZ.com was born. Since then, ProZ.com has become the leading directory of translation services, freelance language translators, agencies, and translation jobs.

To read a message from the founder, click here.

Today's ProZ.com

ProZ.com is a workplace used by translators, interpreters, translation agencies and their clients to meet and do work. As stated in our mission statement, ProZ.com provides tools and opportunities that translators, translation companies, and others in the language industry use to (1) network, (2) expand their businesses, (3) improve their work, and (4) have more fun.

With features such as KudoZ, browniZ, numerous forums, TGBs, hosting, the Blue Board, glossaries, and many other valuable features, ProZ.com has become and continues to be the web's leading translation site in the world.

ProZ.com comprises of three parts:

The community, which is a group of language professionals that includes translators, interpreters, translation agencies, teams and their clients.
The site, which is a marketplace and workplace: thousands of language pros exchange job and term information here every day.

The staff, which is a small group of programmers and language enthusiasts based in Syracuse, New York, and a brand new Support office. We are assisted by volunteer moderators around the world.

To begin using the number one translation site in the world, click here.

Don't have an account with ProZ.com, click here.

What's New?

If you want to keep up to date with the new development releases at ProZ.com, just click on the 'New at ProZ.com� display box on the top right of the home page. (You may also click on the "Home" menu bar and select "What's new".) Or, how about signing up to receive the ProZ.com monthy newsletter? All you have to do is click on your "email preference" link from your profile page, (or from your "settings tab"). Then click on the "other notification" tab and finally indicate you'd like to receive next months issue by clicking on the radio box. Remember, you can cancel your subscription at anytime.

Related links:

Click on the following link to view the membership FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/membership

Like to become a member? Join ProZ.com: http://www.proz.com/join

Important note: If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your membership, you are entitled to a prorated refund of your purchase.

Full Membership

"Member" is the term given to ProZ.com's paying membership. A member "joins ProZ.com" by paying a fee to receive a higher level of service for a certain period of time, and remains a member until his/her membership renewal date. Discounts are available for those renewing current memberships, TGBs, and/or for those with a certain number of browniz points. Members get dozens of benefits and additional features in each area of the site.

When asked the main reasons they upgraded, members cite:

(1) Increased exposure to clients (and therefore more jobs)

(2) Full access to the "Blue Board" database of clients, and feedback on them

(3) A desire to "give something back" to the site

To view the Join ProZ.com page click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/join

Member-Facts:

Members are 4 times more likely to meet a client than a non-paying member.
Members meet on average 1 new client every 3 months.
Nearly half of all Members received a positive return on their investment within 3 months.

Full Member Benefits

Your name appears on the first page of results when clients search the directory

Automatic Referrals - job posters are redirected to your profile when appropriate

Unlimited access to agency Blue Board (research over 3000 agencies with reviews)

Comprehensive web hosting services (Own your own domain -- keep your clients yourself!)

Send mail to 100 colleagues or service providers at once (handy for project managers)

Get featured on the ProZ.com home page

Guaranteed lowest rates on translation software (in cooperation with TranslatorGroupBuying.com)

Attend or organize "powwow" meetings among local ProZ.com members and users

Enhanced KudoZ functionality (access to asker details, etc.)

Ability to form teams and make joint bids on large jobs

Your forum postings appear instantly - get immediate feedback and support from

web's largest language community

Verification and posting of your ATA, ATIO, NAATI, IoL and other credentials

View aggregated rate data from over 6500 pros - know the market

Exclusive downloads/savings on word counting and other software
View a Visitor's Tab to keep track of who, what, and when someone visits your profile page

Full Membership Cost:

Upgrade to Full Membership (12 months)
Cost: 120.00 EUR/USD (Transaction fee might apply)

Upgrade to Full Membership (6 months)
Cost: 80.00 EUR/USD (Transaction fee might apply)

Upgrade to Full Membership (3 years)
Cost: 300.00 EUR/USD (Transaction fee might apply)

Upgrade to Full Membership (5 years)
Cost: 450.00 EUR/USD (Transaction fee might apply)

Upgrade to Full Membership (10 years)
Cost: 750.00 EUR/USD (Transaction fee might apply)

Already Member?

There are six choices to renew Membership (all costs are EUR/USD):

Renew your membership (12 months) Cost: 100.00

Renew your membership (6 months) Cost: 70.00

Renew your membership (3 years) Cost: 300.00

Renew your membership (5 years) Cost: 450.00

Renew your membership (10 years) Cost: 750.00

Related links:

Like to become a member? Join ProZ.com: http://www.proz.com/join

Click on the following link to view the membership FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/membership

Important note: If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your membership, you are entitled to a prorated refund of your purchase.

Partial Membership

For members who are interested in accessing the member-only functions of selected areas of the site, or for members who are interested in downgrading from their current membership, two options are available at reduced costs.

Jobs Membership/BenefitsCost for downgrading from Full Membership or signing up for your new Jobs Membership is 70.00 EURO/USD/Year

FYI: If you are currently a Member, your partial membership will begin when your full membership ends.

Jobs Benefits:

Unlimited quoting on jobs
Top placement of your quotes in list shown to outsourcer
Top-tier placement in directory searched by clients
Automatic Referrals - a link to your profile may appear to clients immediately after job postings that closely match your profile
Ability to form teams and make joint quotes on large jobs
View average rate data from pros in your language pairs (up to 5)
Verification and posting of ATA, ATIO, NAATI, IoL and other credentials (please enter support request)
Verification of identity (credit card payment--in own name--or powwow attendance required)
Front-page exposure (photo required)

...and more coming every day

Member-Facts:

Members are 4 times more likely to meet a client than a registered user.
Members meet on average 1 new client every 3 months.
Nearly half of all Members received a positive return on their investment within 3 months.

Community Memberships/Benefits

Cost for downgrading from Full Membership or signing up for your new Community Membership is 70.00 EUR/USD/Year

FYI: If you are currently a Member, your partial membership will begin when your full membership ends.

Benefits:

Full, unlimited access to the outsourcer Blue Board
Instant forum postings (bypass vetting for faster response)
Verification of identity (credit card payment--in own name--or powwow attendance required)
Verification and posting of ATA, ATIO, NAATI, IoL and other credentials (please enter support request)
Batch networking: send notices to up to 100 colleagues at once
Communicate with colleagues and clients through Instant Messaging
Front-page exposure (photo required)

...and more coming every day

FYI: The Community Partial Membership does not offer unlimited quoting for jobs; however, you may use BrowniZ points to quote on a job (100 points per quote) or you can deposit money in your ProZ.com wallet and each quote will be charged against it. It costs $1 per quote. (All new ProZ.com users receive 300 BrowniZ points upon registration.)

Partial Membership Cost:

Jobs Membership Upgrade (12 months)
Cost: 70.00 EUR/USD/Year (Transaction fee might apply)

Community Membership Upgrade (12 months)
Cost: 70.00 EUR/USD/Year (Transaction fee might apply)

Related links:

Like to become a Member? Click here: http://www.proz.com/join

Click on the following link to view the membership FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/membership

Important note: If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your membership, you are entitled to a prorated refund of your purchase.

Payment Methods For Memberships

ProZ.com is discussing and entertaining other payment methods; however, presently here are the only payment types we accept for membership:

PayPal (Transaction fee will be added )
PayPal (Euros) (Transaction fee will be added )
Credit Card (Transaction fee will be added )
Check or Money Order (Transaction fee will be added )
Wire Transfer (Transaction fee will be added)
Wire Transfer (Euros) (Transaction fee: NONE )
ProZ.com Wallet (Transaction fee: NONE)

Note: If you are interested in paying for your membership by Western Union or Moneybookers, please submit a support request.

Member-Facts:

Members are 4 times more likely to meet a client than a non-paying member.
Members meet on average 1 new client every 3 months.
Nearly half of all members received a positive return on their investment within 3 months.

Related links:

Like to become a member? Click here: http://www.proz.com/plat/

Click on the following link to view the membership FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/membership

Combo Sales

ProZ.com offers a TGB (Translator Group Buy) sale that combines a CAT tool and a platinum membership (usually six months). Most special promotions initially are advertised on the home page, but if you want to be able to see if ProZ.com is running a promotion, just click on the �Tools� menu bar and select �New TGB� to see if any combo sales are running on the site.

Related links:

Quick link to the the CAT Tools page: http://www.proz.com/?sp=cat/tools

Quick link to the TGB page: http://www.proz.com/tgb

Money Back Guarantee

If for any reason a member is not completely satisfied with their membership, he or she is entitled to a prorated refund of their purchase.

Related links:

Like to become a member? http://www.proz.com/plat/

Click on the following link to view the membership FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/membership

Need to send in a support ticket? Click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/support

Tax Deductible

In every jurisdiction we are aware of, ProZ.com membership can be written off against taxes as a business expense. When you upgrade, you will be issued an electronic invoice. You should print this invoice. If you require more than an electronic invoice, please submit a support request specifying the unique requirements of your invoice.

Related links:

Like to become a member? http://www.proz.com/plat/

Click on the following link to view the membership FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/membership

Need to contact support for an invoice? Click here: http://www.proz.com/support

Non-members

Of course there are many features of the site that non-paying members may use, but if you want to have full access to all of the resources and functions at ProZ.com!

Members-Facts:

Members are 4 times more likely to meet a client than a non-paying member.
Members meet on average 1 new client every 3 months.
Nearly half of all members received a positive return on their investment within 3 months.

Related link:

Like to become a member? Click here: http://www.proz.com/plat/

Click on the following link to view the membership FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/membership

Because passwords are stored encrypted in the database, it is not possible to retrieve your existing password. However, you can change your password to a new value.

If you know your username or the email address you used when registering with ProZ.com, you may change your password at the site below:

http://www.proz.com/faq/login_problems#forgot_password

However, If you have forgotten your username and your email address, you will have to send in a support request for further assistance. Support can be found on the top right of the menu bar.

FYI: When a support request is sent in to add, change, or delete an email address, for security and privacy purposes, the asker will be screened before any changes are made to their email address(es).

Unsubscribe

Each member may unsubscribe and/or deactivate their account from the �Settings Tab�.

However, before an account is deactivated, the following information should be taken into consideration:

Remember after you deactivate:

You will no longer be able to log in.

Your profile page will not appear to prospective clients.

You will not receive any more email.

If you do not want to fully deactivate your profile, consider the following options:

Stop email notifications without losing profile: unsubscribe

Change email settings to reduce overall volume:email filter

Edit profile info (you can remove your name): personal data

Give yourself a new password: new password

FYI: Even after your profile has been deactivated, ProZ.com staff will still be able to reactivate your profile if you send in a support request and answer the proper security questions.

Membership Agreement Upon Registration

The following is a copy of the "Membership Agreement" that all registered members must agree to before using ProZ.com services.

NOTE: If you are presently registered on the site, you have agreed to these terms/conditions.

Membership Agreement

BY COMPLETING THE REGISTRATION PROCESS AND CLICKING THE "I ACCEPT" BUTTON, YOU ARE INDICATING YOUR CONSENT TO EVERYTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT. READ IT CAREFULLY! If there is anything you don't understand, write to info@proz.com for an explanation.

===General===

This agreement is the only agreement between ProZ.com (made by Netconomics, Inc. of Delaware) and users of the ProZ.com site. Any other agreement means nothing. We reserve the right to change this agreement at any time. If we do, we will indicate that on our front page, and by using the site after that, you agree to the new terms.

===Informal Rules of Usage===

There are several informal rules of usage at ProZ:
1--You may not misrepresent yourself or your firm.
2--Projects should be specified in detail. The more detailed a project description, the higher the chances of getting the right person, and completing the job smoothly.
3--Do your best work. As a freelancer, take pride in quality and deadlines. As an outsourcer, take pride in prompt payments. Do whatever you can to keep your promises.
4--Inform ProZ's staff if you see something improper taking place. (The staff may not be able to do anything about it, but inform them anyway.)

Those are the informal rules. As staff members, we will do all what we practically can to see that they are followed-that is, we exercise the right to kick out anyone who breaks the rules. But we can't actually guarantee that they will be followed. Use ProZ at your own risk, and exercise all the caution you would when working with people offline or elsewhere on the Internet.

As for work done, we make absolutely no claims as to the quality or timeliness of the work. We are just providing the tools for people to meet!

==Our Privacy Policy===

We won't give any of your personal information to anyone, now or ever. Unless, of course, we are obliged to by some legal authority, etc. We may, however, ask you if you would like us to give some of your personal information to someone (like an outsourcer or freelancer). We will only share your information when you specifically give us permission to do so.

===Eligibility===

Our service is available only to individuals who can form legally binding contracts under applicable law. Without limiting the foregoing, our services are not available to minors. If you do not qualify, please do not use ProZ.com.

===ProZ.com is Only a Venue===

We'll say it again. ProZ.com is only a venue. We are not involved in the actual transaction between outsourcers and freelancers. As a result, we have no control over the quality or legality of the services, the truth or accuracy of information posted, the ability of service providers to perform services as represented or of service consumers to properly evaluate finished services. We cannot and do not control whether or not the parties to a transaction will perform as agreed. In addition, note that there are risks of dealing with foreign nationals who may not fall under the laws of your area, minors, and people acting under false pretense. Because user authentication on the Internet is difficult, Netconomics cannot and does not confirm that each user is who they claim to be.

It is up to you to communicate directly with anyone you meet at ProZ.com, with whom you are considering entering into a contract. Ask for any information you feel you may need to evaluate his or her trustworthiness.

Because we do not and cannot be involved in user-to-user dealings, in the event that you have a dispute with one or more users, you release Netconomics (and our agents and employees) from claims, demands and damages (actual and consequential) of every kind and nature, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed, arising out of or in any way connected with such disputes. If you are a California resident, you waive California Civil Code Sec. 1542, which says: "A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor."

Some people may post information that is offensive, harmful or inaccurate, and in some cases will be mislabeled or deceptively labeled. We expect that you will use caution--and common sense--when using ProZ.com.

=== Member account, password, and security ===

Once you become a member of the Service, you'll receive a password and an account. You are entirely responsible if you do not maintain the confidentiality of your password and account. Furthermore, you are entirely responsible for any and all activities that occur under your account. You may change your user name or password at any time by following instructions; however, you may not open up additional accounts under alternative names.

If you believe someone else has had access to or is using your password or username, you absolutely must tell us.

=== Message and file storage and other limitations ===

We assume no responsibility for the deletion or failure to store files, messages, job postings, bids, or any other form of communication made using the Service.

=== Member Conduct ===

Your use of the Service is subject to all applicable local, state, national and international laws and regulations. You must agree (1) to comply with US law regarding the transmission of technical data exported from the United States through the Service, (2) not to use the Service for illegal purposes, (3) not to interfere or disrupt networks connected to the Service; and (4) to comply with all regulations, policies and procedures of networks connected to the Service.

Without limiting any other remedies, Netconomics may terminate your account if you are found (by conviction, settlement, insurance or escrow investigation, or otherwise) to have engaged in fraudulent activity in connection with our site. Member agrees not to transmit through the Service any unlawful, harassing, libelous, abusive, threatening, harmful, vulgar, obscene or otherwise objectionable material of any kind or nature. Member further agrees not to transmit any material that encourages conduct that could constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any applicable local, state, national or international law or regulation. Attempts to gain unauthorized access to our computer systems are prohibited.

Member shall not interfere with another Member's use and enjoyment of the Service or another entity's use and enjoyment of similar services.

Netconomics may, at its sole discretion, immediately terminate Member's membership if his or her conduct fails to conform with these terms and conditions of this agreement.

=== System integrity ===

You may not use any device, software or routine to interfere or attempt to interfere with the proper working of ProZ.com. You may not take any action which imposes an unreasonable or disproportionately large load on our infrastructure. You may not disclose or share your password to any third parties or use your password for any unauthorized purpose.

=== Disclaimer of Warranties ===

MEMBER EXPRESSLY AGREES THAT USE OF THE SERVICE IS AT MEMBER'S SOLE RISK. THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. NETCONOMICS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

NETCONOMICS MAKES NO WARRANTY THAT THE SERVICE WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS, OR THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE, OR ERROR FREE; NOR DOES NETCONOMICS MAKE ANY WARRANTY AS TO THE RESULTS THAT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE USE OF THE SERVICE OR AS TO THE ACCURACY OR RELIABILITY OF ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED THROUGH THE SERVICE OR THAT DEFECTS IN THE SOFTWARE WILL BE CORRECTED.

MEMBER UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT ANY MATERIAL AND/OR DATA DOWNLOADED OR OTHERWISE OBTAINED THROUGH THE USE OF THE SERVICE IS DONE AT MEMBER'S OWN DISCRETION AND RISK AND THAT MEMBER WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO MEMBER'S COMPUTER SYSTEM OR LOSS OF DATA THAT RESULTS FROM THE DOWNLOAD OF SUCH MATERIAL AND/OR DATA.

NETCONOMICS MAKES NO WARRANTY REGARDING ANY GOODS OR SERVICES PURCHASED OR OBTAINED THROUGH THE SERVICE OR ANY TRANSACTIONS ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE SERVICE.

NO ADVICE OR INFORMATION, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, OBTAINED BY MEMBER FROM NETCONOMICS OR THROUGH THE SERVICE SHALL CREATE ANY WARRANTY NOT EXPRESSLY MADE HEREIN.

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

=== Limitation of Liability ===

NETCONOMICS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, RESULTING FROM THE USE OR THE INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICE OR FOR COST OF PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS AND SERVICES OR RESULTING FROM ANY GOODS OR SERVICES PURCHASE OR OBTAINED OR MESSAGES RECEIVED OR TRANSACTIONS ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE SERVICE OR RESULTING FROM UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR ALTERATION OF MEMBER'S TRANSMISSIONS OR DATA, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, USE, DATA OR OTHER INTANGIBLE, EVEN IF NETCONOMICS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES SO SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

=== Changes in the Service ===
Netconomics reserves the right to modify or discontinue the Service with or without notice to you or other members.

Netconomics shall not be liable to members or any third party should Netconomics exercise its right to modify or discontinue the Service.

=== Indemnification ==
You agree to indemnify and hold Netconomics, its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers and employees, harmless from any claim or demand, including reasonable attorneys' fees, made by any third party due to or arising out of Member's use of the Service, the violation of this Agreement by you, or the infringement by you, or other user of the Service using your computer, of any intellectual property or other right of any person or entity.

=== Termination ===
Netconomics may terminate your membership with or without cause at any time and effective immediately. Netconomics shall not be liable to you or any third party for termination of Service.

If you object to any terms and conditions of this agreement or any subsequent modifications or become dissatisfied with the Service in any way, your only recourse is to immediately discontinue use of the Service.

Upon termination of membership, your right to use the Service immediately ceases. You shall have no right and Netconomics will have no obligation thereafter to forward any unread or unsent messages to you or any third party.

=== Laws ===

This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the United States of America and the state of Delaware. Any action related to this agreement must be brought in the federal or state courts located in the State of Delaware, and you irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of such courts. If any provision(s) of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be contrary to law, then such provision(s) shall be construed, as nearly as possible, to reflect the intentions of the parties with the other provisions remaining in full force and effect.

Netconomics's failure to exercise or enforce any right or provision of the PTS shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision unless acknowledged and agreed to by Netconomics in writing.

Member and Netconomics agree that any cause of action arising out of or related to this Service must commence within one (1) year after the cause of action arose; otherwise, such cause of action is permanently barred.

The section titles in this Agreement are solely used for the convenience of the parties and have no legal or contractual significance.

Creating an Effective Profile

A ProZ.com member account is required in order to use many features of the site. Creating an account at ProZ.com is known as "registration".

Review the login/registration FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/login_problems

Your Profile Page

Each ProZ.com member has a profile page. The profile is the central place to show information about a single member. Members can also edit most of their data by starting at their own profile page.

Most settings can be accessed from the "settings" profile tab (which is also reachable by selecting My ProZ.com->My Settings from the main menu). In many cases profile data can be edited by clicking a link next to the data where it is displayed in the profile page.

You can reach your own profile by clicking your name in the member info box, or by visiting this link: http://www.proz.com/pro

If you have a question regarding your profile page, please click the following profile FAQs link: http://www.proz.com/faq/profile

Controlling Your Name

A user may either have their 'username' or first and last name appear on their profile page. This name will be seen by the public. You may control your name by clicking on the "edit your profile" link from your profile page.

Choosing a Tagline

You may enter your tagline by clicking on the "edit your profile" link from your profile page. Enter one phrase (of up to 40 characters) that summarizes what makes you or your agency special. This line will appear in lists on the site. (Examples: "The fastest", "10 years in patents", "Also a lawyer") Don't enter language pairs and other basic information that appears elsewhere in your profile.

Uploading a Photo/Image

To upload your profile photo, start at your profile page. Click the link labeled "Edit your profile" in the center column. This will take you to your profile editing page. From the profile editing page, scroll down to the field labeled "Upload photo or image". Click the "browse" button next to this field, which will allow you to browse your computer's file system for the image you wish to upload.

After selecting the file you wish to upload, click the submit form at the bottom of your profile editing page to save your profile changes. In the future, if you decide to change your image/photo, all you have to do is repeat the instructions above and place your new photo/image link in the text box, and then click on submit, and you new image/photo will replace the old one. If you choose to delete a photo/image, and keep you profile blank. there is a delete check box on the "edit your profile" next to the "upload photo or image" textbox.

FYI: When you upload an image/photo, it may take between several minutes and a half hour for the files to be copied to all the web servers, and then seen on your profile page. Therefore, you may notice a blank where a photo should be, however, please give the upload at least thirty minutes, before submitting a support request.

Uploading a CV/Resume

To upload your CV/Resume, start at your profile page. Click the link labeled "Edit your profile" in the center column. This will take you to your profile editing page. From the profile editing page, scroll down to the field labeled "Upload Resume". Click the "browse" button next to this field, which will allow you to browse your computer's file system for the Resume/CV you wish to upload.

After selecting the file you wish to upload, click the submit form at the bottom of your profile editing page to save your profile changes. In the future, if you decide to change your CV/Resume, all you have to do is follow the instructions above and place your new CV/Resume in the box, and then click on submit. The new CV/Resume will replace the old one.

FYI: When you upload a CV/Resume, it may take between several minutes and a half hour for the files to be copied to all the web servers, and then seen on your profile page. Therefore, during this time, you may get a "page not found" when trying to view your new CV/Resume; however, please give it some time before submitting a support request. If you want to upload an updated version of your CV/Resume, just follow the same steps above and your new CV/Resume will replace the old one.

Declaring Your Working Language(s)

The site is organized according to language pairs. It is important that you indicate all of the language pairs you work in, carefully specifying the services and styles you offer in each. If you work in many pairs, it may take some time to enter all the data. However, this level of detail ensures that your experience will be best suited to your skills and interests.

Specifying Your Native Language(s)

You may declare your native language on the left side of your profile page. Once you declare a native language(s), they cannot be changed.

Your ProZ.com native language declaration, which looks like this will appear in various places throughout the site. The Native Speaker credential is a mark that signifies that a ProZ.com member is a native speaker of a given language.

A "capital-N" icon already appears on profile pages after you have declared your native language, and in a few months will appear throughout the site beside the names of members who have received the credential. It looks like this: ProZ.com Native Speaker: Russian

Mousing over the mark or clicking on it reveals additional information.

Platinum members with one native language are asked to simply declare that language. Go to your profile page, click on the link at the top to go into edit mode, and then click on "declare native language" from the middle of the right column.

FYI: Native language is only one factor that a client may consider when screening a translator or interpreter. It is usually not the most important factor.

Click here to view the Native Language FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/pns

Colored Icons

A blue and yellow ProZ.com Native Speaker icon () is used to represent native languages that are reasonably certain to be accurate. This includes native languages that have been confirmed by ProZ.com, and native languages reported by Platinum members who have sworn that they only have one native language (a native language cannot be changed once it is declared).

A black and gray ProZ.com Native Speaker icon () is used to represent native languages that have been reported, but not confirmed. This includes native languages reported by non-Platinum members, even when they only report a single native language. This is because it is possible that a non-Platinum member might create multiple profiles with a different single native language for each, to get around the requirement that multiple native languages must be confirmed.

Choosing Email Address(es)

In your profile, you are allowed to have a 'current' email address and a 'secondary' email address.

Your secondary email address is used to contact you if your primary address fails. If mail sent to your primary email address is returned by your mail provider, your primary address will be replaced with your secondary address, and your primary email will be disabled (will appear in red font).

In the future, if you'd like to change you primary or secondary email address, all you need to do is click on the "edit personal data" link and then paste your new email address in the desired email text box, and the new email address will replace the old one, after you have clicked "update" at the bottom of the page.

FYI: When a support request is sent in to add/change/get an email address, for security and privacy purposes, the asker will have to be cleared by some security questions.

Click on the following link to view the Email FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/mail

Determining Your Rates

Review the rates FAQs to understand completely why it is important to enter your rates: http://www.proz.com/faq/rates

Report your rates by clicking the "Enter your rates" link on your profile page, or by selecting "Rates" from the settings tab.

Note that you can only enter rates for your "working" languages (those show in your profile).

Edit the rates you have set for one language. (Note that this is only possible within a short grace period. Afterwards, your rate information cannot be changed for 3 months.)

Rates are entered from the profile page, which specify a rate range of a minimum charge per word, hour, instant job, and target

Filling in Your Background and Experience

Enter info about you or your agency's background and experience.

FYI: Areas IX and X on your profile page are where most of your profile information will be entered. If you hope to establish new relationships with clients and colleagues via ProZ.com, it is very important that you enter detailed information here. Also, use HTML to add appeal by using Gianfranco Manca's tutorial.

Areas of Expertise/Specialization

On the bottom left of your profile page there is a link titled "edit expertise" under the title "Expertise". (Also, you can edit your specialties under the "setting tab" under the title "fields of expertise" from your profile page.) Click on "edit expertise", which will allow you to edit your working, interests, specialties, and general fields.

Enter info about you or your agency's areas of specialization.

FYI: You are only allowed to enter up to 10 specialties, 30 working fields, and for now, all of the general fields you like (however only up to 5 general fields will be appear on your profile page). Areas XI and X on your profile page are where most of your profile information will be entered. If you hope to establish new relationships with clients and colleagues via ProZ.com, it is very important that you enter detailed information here.

To view the Fields of Expertise FAQs, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/fields

Listing Your Credentials/Memberships

This section is where you may report any professional credentials, certifications or accreditations you have earned from recognized authorities. The accuracy of the information you provide may be confirmed by site staff.

FYI: By default, credentials are only listed, not verified.

Click here to learn how to get your credentials verified: http://www.proz.com/faq/credentials

Keywords

You may also enter keywords that relate to your expertise, capabilities, services, etc. (Clients are able to search by keyword.) The more keywords you enter, the better your chances of coming up in a search... but you may want to make sure that you don't appear to be spreading yourself too thin; clients will be able to view your entire list of keywords. Separate keywords with commas, and do not include spaces after commas. The keyword search will NOT be case-sensitive. Example: biology, pc, html, contract law, children's books, paris, copywriting, etc.

Software

Use this section to indicate the software needs you are capable of supporting.

Click here to view the Software FAQs: http://www.proz.com/?sp=cat/tools

Glossaries

Click on the "enter terms" link under the glossary heading left of your profile page to enter your personal glossaries.

Note: When you enter in your own glossary terms, you receive browniz points!

Click here to view the Glossary FAQ: http://www.proz.com/faq/glossaries

Wallet

When you add money to your ProZ.com Wallet, the money remains yours. You may withdraw any or all of your funds at any time. Note that transfer fees do apply to some methods of withdrawal.

Credit Card Online

Check Or Money Order
Wire Transfer
Wire Transfer Euro
Paypal

You need at least $25.00 to withdraw from your wallet.

FYI: Presently, you can't accept payments from outsourcers through your wallet.

Click here to view the Wallet FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/wallet

ID Verified

ProZ.com staff members, moderators and other volunteers have undertaken a program to confirm the identity of interested site users. A checkmark appearing in a member's profile signifies that the identity of the person may have been verified. Clicking on the checkmark will provide more information. Access to this information may prove useful in assessing risk when forming new online relationships.

Click here to learn how to get your ID Verfied: http://www.proz.com/faq/qa

Personal Page

The �Personal Tab� can be found on the "My ProZ.com" home page . This feature allows you to create a personal web page by entering free-form HTML. Use your personal page to showcase your artwork, hobbies, and other information that would be out of place on your professional profile page.

Click on the following link to view the Personal Page FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/profile#prof_personaltab

ProZ.com IM

You will be allowed to use the ProZ.com IM by clicking on the "edit instant message data" link on your profile page.

Features Available Only To Platinum Members

Plat-Facts

Platinum members are 4 times more likely to meet a client than a non-paying member.
Platinum members meet on average 1 new client every 3 months.
Nearly half of all Platinum members receive a positive return on their investment within 3 months.

Availability Button (Platinum Members Only)

If you are immediately available for new projects, make sure your availability indicator shows that in the directory by reporting your availability regularly.

The availability indicator is a small icon that indicates whether a member is immediately available for new work. It appears in member profiles and directory listings. It displays one of three colors to indicate a member's availability:

Immediately available for new projects
Not immediately available for new projects
Availability not reported

Click the availability indicator icon in your member info box in the upper left of each page. A popup window will appear that allows you to set your availability.

Since the availability indicator shows immediate availability, it should be changed when your availability changes. To keep availability information current, the system generally only retains it for one day. You must refresh your availability indicator within that time or it will change back to a gray color (unreported). Refresh your availability indicator by setting it again.

For convenience, platinum members are only required to refresh their availability indicators once per week. However, all members are encouraged to update their availability indicator whenever their availability changes.

To view the Availability FAQs, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/availability

Related links:

To view the new search directory, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/directory

To view the agency search directory, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=ai

To view the professional translation services, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/translation-services

Freelancers

Most ProZ.com translators are independent professionals. They operate freelance, which necessitates that they engage in such non-translation activities as sales and marketing, quoting, invoicing, entering into legal agreements, performing risk management and more. They are also responsible for making purchasing decisions related to hardware and software, for preparing and filing their taxes, for establishing business and personal insurance, investment, retirement programs, etc. Translation work is often inter-related with technical work, so translators are frequently called upon to learn new technical skills not strictly related to translation.

ProZ.com frees translators up to translate by providing tools that help them to dispense with non-translation tasks as efficiently as possible.

Related links:

Thinking about setting up a team? Please click on the following Team FAQ link: http://www.proz.com/faq/teams

If you would like to look at some jobs listed for freelance translators, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=jobs

Translation Agencies/Companies

Translation companies are organizations which market translation services. They may have the work done by staff translators or, more commonly, by subcontracting with individual translators whom they have located and checked.

Translation companies are usually focused on, and good at, both sales and marketing and internal production. But in addition to these core tasks, translation companies spend a significant amount of time in locating and qualifying external translators, checking their availability, negotiating prices, exchanging paperwork and making payments.

ProZ.com frees translation companies up to focus on sales and production by providing tools that assist them in locating, qualifying and working with independent translators.

Teams

ProZ.com translation teams are a group of translators who act as a single entity, taking job bids, setting rates, collaborating on projects, and more. Any ProZ.com member can be part of a team. However, only Platinum members can create a new team, invite other translators, and have control over the team's settings.

Related links:

Thinking about setting up a team? Please click on the following Team FAQ link: http://www.proz.com/faq/teams

If you would like to look at some jobs listed for freelance translators, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=jobs

Like to become a platinum member? Click here: http://www.proz.com/plat/

Click on the following link to view the Platinum membership FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/membership

Search Members

If you prefer to contact a translator or interpreter for direct interaction, ProZ.com makes it easy to do so. Now it is possible to search by working languages, areas of expertise, country of residence, software tools, accreditations, keywords and more.

All ProZ.com professionals are available for work directly; no commission or introduction fees are charged.

Related links:

To view the new search directory, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/directory

To view the agency search directory, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=ai

To view the professional translation services, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/translation-services

Directory Text Ads

The ProZ.com search directory is one of the most comprehensive in the industry. The directory is searched daily by thousands of people--many of them outsourcers looking for translators and agencies with specific skills. ProZ.com Directory Text Ads provide a way for freelancers and agencies to stand out in their respective directories. Directory Text Ads are precisely targeted to specific language pairs and disciplines. When an outsourcer sees a text ad in the directory, it is because the advertiser's skills are a perfect match for the outsourcer's needs.

Note: Presently, there are no directory text ads on the new search directory, but once the new search directory becomes the default directory, text ads will be available.

How Text Ads Work

An advertiser first creates a text ad from the My Text Ads page under My ProZ.com. The text ad consists of a heading and up to two lines of body text, and it is targeted at a single language pair and discipline.

When an outsourcer searches the ProZ.com Directory using search criteria that match the Directory Text Ad, the ad is shown at the top of the search results page, next to the search form. When the outsourcer clicks on the ad, he is taken to the advertiser's profile page, where he can get more information as well as contact the advertiser directly.

If there are more Directory Text Ads matching a search than can be displayed, the ads are randomly rotated for those search criteria.

Pricing

Freelancer Directory Text Ads are priced at $0.05 USD per impression. Agency Directory Text Ads are priced at $0.25 USD per impression. An impression is defined as a single viewing of the text ad. A minimum purchase of $20.00 USD is required.

FYI: Platinum members may also trade BrowniZ for Directory Text Ad impressions, at a rate of 10 BrowniZ per impression in the Freelancer Directory, and 50 BrowniZ per impression in the Agency Directory. A minimum outlay of 4000 BrowniZ is required.

Related links:

Click here to view the directory text-ads page: http://www.proz.com/?sp=info/advert&ssp=advert&sssp=ad_directory

To view the new old search directory, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=wi

To view the new search directory, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/directory

To view the agency search directory, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/?sp=ai

To view the professional translation services, please click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/translation-services

Glossaries

You may add and/or upload existing glossaries; however, only plain text, standard format glossary can be unloaded. Word documents, RTF files, or any format other than plain text will not work. The maximum allowed file size is 2MB. If you have a glossary file larger than 2MB, please break it up into smaller pieces.

Note: Glossaries should be in the form: source term target term NotesURL

(Notes and URL are optional.)
1. Go to your profile
2. Click on your name
3. Select "Enter Terms" under Glossary
4. Select "Upload your glossaries!" located at the bottom of the page

FYI: You may edit an existing term, however, these instructions apply only to terms in your personal glossaries. Terms in the site-wide KudoZ glossary can only be edited by a moderator. If you want to suggest a change to a term in the site-wide glossary, you can contact the appropriate moderator using the moderator list.

Related links:

Click on the following link to view the Glossary FAQs: http://www.proz.com/faq/glossaries

Click on the following link to view Glosspost: http://www.proz.com/?sp=glosspost

Receiving Payments

You are able to declare what payment types you accept for your translation services on your profile page. If you would like to edit your received payment options, please either click on your "edit personal data" link from your profile page, or click on your "accepted payment edit" link from the top right of your profile page.

Note: ProZ.com will not advise members on received payment options and/or contracts made between outsourcers and service providers.

Plat-Facts:

Platinum members are 4 times more likely to meet a client than a non-paying member.
Platinum members meet on average 1 new client every 3 months.
Nearly half of all Platinum members receive a positive return on their investment within 3 months.

Job Track Record

Presently, the �Job Track Record� is offline.

Instant Messaging

You may edit your IM nicknames under your "settings tab" and from the "edit instant messenger data" link on your profile page.

Use this page to enter your instant messenger nicknames / ids, such as AOL, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, Jabber, etc.

Connection

The connection page can be found under your setting's tab on your profile page. Use this page to enter your Internet connection type, such as broadband or dial up.

Track Record

The track record page keeps a history and record of references you'd like others to see.

Personal Tab

The �Personal Tab� can be found on your profile page . This feature allows you to create a personal web page by entering free-form HTML. Use your personal page to showcase your artwork, hobbies, and other information that would be out of place on your professional profile page. The personal tab can be found on your profile page.

To view the profile FAQs, click on the following link: http://www.proz.com/faq/profile

Visitors Tab

The �Visitors" tab is for Platinum members only. The "Visitor" tab works like a hit counter, but does so much more than a traditional hit counter. The "Visitors" tab allows profile owners to keep track of how many hits they've received in the last 30 days, but it also provides information about who, what, where, and when their profile was visited.

Plat-Facts:

Platinum members are