Translation - art & business » Getting established »
Disclosing client names on CV
Thread poster: Maria Diaz
Maria Diaz
Maria Diaz
United States
Local time: 17:43
English to Spanish
Oct 8, 2004

Is it a good idea (or is it mandatory) to put your direct clients' names on the CV?
I'm wary that someone, or an agency may try to steal your clients.

ok, maybe I'm a little paranoid, but hey! you never know, right?
 
NGK
NGK  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 19:43
Not mandatory Oct 8, 2004

Opinions on whether disclosing client names is good idea vary. But one thing is certain: it isn't mandatory.

Here are some past threads discussing this and related issues (you might find more if you search the forums):

http://www.proz.com/topic/22783
http://www.proz.com/topic/18278<... See more
Opinions on whether disclosing client names is good idea vary. But one thing is certain: it isn't mandatory.

Here are some past threads discussing this and related issues (you might find more if you search the forums):

http://www.proz.com/topic/22783
http://www.proz.com/topic/18278
http://www.proz.com/topic/23398
http://www.proz.com/topic/20592

[Edited at 2004-10-08 19:44] ▲ Collapse
 
Aniello Scognamiglio (X)
Aniello Scognamiglio (X)  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 02:43
English to German
+ ...
Be careful! Oct 13, 2004

Hello Maria,

This is not a question of opinion or idea.

I can only recommend to ask your client for permission, otherwise you may run into trouble. I am serious! Some companies have very severe policies!

My two Euros

Aniello
http://www.italengger.com

´


Maria Diaz wrote:

Is it a good idea (or is it mandatory) to put your direct clients' names on the CV?
I'm wary that someone, or an agency may try to steal your clients.

ok, maybe I'm a little paranoid, but hey! you never know, right?
 
Ines Garcia Botana
Ines Garcia Botana  Identity Verified
Local time: 21:43
English to Spanish
+ ...
Excellent answer! Oct 13, 2004

[quote]Tayfun Torunoglu wrote:

A worker has a right to show his/her previous employers in his/her CV. A translator has also such a right.
Could you show me the Law prohibiting this?
Unless there is an agreement prohibiting disclosure everyone is free to show his/her previous employers and works in CV.



THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Ines
 
Intergraf
Intergraf  Identity Verified
Local time: 19:43
Spanish to English
+ ...
Confidentiality: A matter of professional ethics Oct 15, 2004

Tayfun Torunoglu wrote:

A worker has a right to show his/her previous employers in his/her CV. A translator has also such a right.
Could you show me the Law prohibiting this?
Unless there is an agreement prohibiting disclosure everyone is free to show his/her previous employers and works in CV.


It's one thing to reveal the names of your clients, and quite a different thing to reveal what projects you did for them or what they entailed.

If the project in question is something that is for public consumption and it has already been published (e.g., book, catalog, consumer brochure, web site, etc.), then it's OK to name and/or describe it, although personally I would ask for the client's permission before doing so.

In this case, I don't think individual-project permission is necessary —a blanket permission to name and describe projects on your CV or web site once the projects are published and distributed should be sufficient.

However, keep in mind that until such projects are published and distributed, they are confidential. And if the client requests that you not mention such published projects, then you must honor such a request.

If the project in question is something internal to the company (i.e., correspondence, contracts, reports or memos for limited distribution to their employees or stockholders, etc.), then it's confidential and you don't mention it at all.

I feel that this applies whether you've signed a confidentiality agreement or not: It's part of the ethics of our profession. And when I say you don't mention such projects, I mean you don't mention them to anyone —not even to your family members, friends, or other colleagues.


Tayfun Torunoglu wrote:

Even under such disclosure agreement I am quite doubtful about applicability or validity of such clause as when we conclude our business with them what law governs our relations with our previous employers.


By the ethics of our profession, it doesn't matter whether you signed a non-disclosure agreement or not: If the work you did was confidential, it remains confidential until the client declares that it is no longer confidential. It does not matter how long ago you concluded that project or your association with that particular client.

Even if the client refused to pay you for the work for whatever reason, it is still confidential —although you might have to mention some particulars of the project in court, if you decide to sue them for payment. In such an extreme case, I recommend that you consult your lawyer.

In other words: Confidential is confidential forever, or until the client declares it to be otherwise —whichever comes first.
 


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Moderator(s) of this forum
Jorge Rodrigues[Call to this topic]
Rita Pang[Call to this topic]
James Heppe-Smith[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Disclosing client names on CV







Anycount & Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000

Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.

More info »
Trados Studio 2022 Freelance
The leading translation software used by over 270,000 translators.

Designed with your feedback in mind, Trados Studio 2022 delivers an unrivalled, powerful desktop and cloud solution, empowering you to work in the most efficient and cost-effective way.

More info »