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Poll: What is the format of your CV?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Jun 11, 2013

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What is the format of your CV?".

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Gianluca Marras
Gianluca Marras  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 15:14
English to Italian
several Jun 11, 2013

PDF
available on my website
word


 
Christopher Schröder
Christopher Schröder
United Kingdom
Member (2011)
Swedish to English
+ ...
If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all Jun 11, 2013

But... I just can't see the point of this one

What next? What colour is your computer?!


 
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 15:14
Spanish to English
+ ...
Word, antedeluvian version Jun 11, 2013

Originally cobbled together in a 20th -century Word version, kept to a single page... it's meant to be "cheap and cheerful", although not "tacky"

I could convert it to PDF in a trice with one of my PDF software apps if I wanted to, but don't really see the point, as the info on it is already in the public domain.


 
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 15:14
Spanish to English
+ ...
Spade a spade Jun 11, 2013

Chris S wrote:

But... I just can't see the point of this one

What next? What colour is your computer?!



A spruce goose of a poll if ever there was one.


 
Julian Holmes
Julian Holmes  Identity Verified
Japan
Local time: 23:14
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
Another anonymous hit-and-run poll Jun 11, 2013

At least this poll would have meaning if it had an actual name to it. Yawn!

What's next? How about "__________________"?

Mine's Tinkerbell. You figure out the question.


 
Michael Harris
Michael Harris  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 15:14
Member (2006)
German to English
In Word Jun 11, 2013

but is only sent on request and as apdf

 
564354352 (X)
564354352 (X)  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 15:14
Danish to English
+ ...
I don't have a CV Jun 11, 2013

I am a professional, self-employed, VAT-registered translator, not looking for employment, but offering a professional service to potential clients.

What would I need a CV for?


 
Christopher Schröder
Christopher Schröder
United Kingdom
Member (2011)
Swedish to English
+ ...
@Gitte Jun 11, 2013

I get where you're coming from and my CV is a waste of space ("Freelance translator 1993-present") but surely customers sometimes want to know about your qualifications and experience?

Even in Denmark, is it really enough simply to be a Translatør?


 
Balasubramaniam L.
Balasubramaniam L.  Identity Verified
India
Local time: 19:44
Member (2006)
English to Hindi
+ ...
SITE LOCALIZER
Word 97 Jun 11, 2013

Mine is in Word 97 format, but I am thinking of converting it into pdf format after hearing all these cases of hacked identities and profiles.

I keep it in Word for the simple reason that if required Project Managers can copy-paste portions of it into their database without much hassle.

I suppose pdf also allows this and I should change it to the more safe pdf format.


 
Jenn Mercer
Jenn Mercer  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 10:14
Member (2009)
French to English
Not so harsh Jun 11, 2013

Chris S wrote:

But... I just can't see the point of this one

What next? What colour is your computer?!



Actually, I found this poll to be quite useful. I have switched my CV over to PDF format for security purposes, but I did not know how common this was and was somewhat nervous some clients might just chuck it because they could not add it to their automated systems as easily. Seeing as close to half of all translators (or at least translators who have answered the poll so far) are using PDF format, I feel somewhat reassured on this point.

And don't worry, the poll is not mine. I always leave my name on my polls - foolish or not.


 
Thayenga
Thayenga  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 15:14
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
Easy one Jun 11, 2013

Julian Holmes wrote:


What's next? How about "__________________"?

Mine's Tinkerbell. You figure out the question.


The question is easy: What's the name of your girlfriend's doggy?


 
Julian Holmes
Julian Holmes  Identity Verified
Japan
Local time: 23:14
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
Almost right Jun 11, 2013

Thayenga wrote:

Julian Holmes wrote:


What's next? How about "__________________"?

Mine's Tinkerbell. You figure out the question.


The question is easy: What's the name of your girlfriend's doggy?


Actually, I was thinking of her pet goldfish.
But that's close enough, so you get 12 out of 10.


 
Rebecca Garber
Rebecca Garber  Identity Verified
Local time: 10:14
Member (2005)
German to English
+ ...
With Michael Harris Jun 11, 2013

Word allows easy updates. pdf allows easy security.

 
564354352 (X)
564354352 (X)  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 15:14
Danish to English
+ ...
@ Chris S Jun 11, 2013

Yes, some potential clients have all sorts of requirements; that doesn't mean that I give in to them. Recently, one client kept asking me for a photo, so I asked for a photo of her and the other dude who were sending me work in return and got this response: "Oh no, we don't give out photos for personal use". I rolled over laughing at that, then wrote back and suggested they stick a picture of Marge Simpson where they wanted a photo of me. They stopped pestering me and still send me work.
<
... See more
Yes, some potential clients have all sorts of requirements; that doesn't mean that I give in to them. Recently, one client kept asking me for a photo, so I asked for a photo of her and the other dude who were sending me work in return and got this response: "Oh no, we don't give out photos for personal use". I rolled over laughing at that, then wrote back and suggested they stick a picture of Marge Simpson where they wanted a photo of me. They stopped pestering me and still send me work.

On the more serious side: Yes, some potential clients do, of course, want to know a bit about the people they outsource to, and I do have a standard introductory letter at the ready (PDF, by the way, simply because it looks so much nicer than a Word file in which all formatting marks can be seen). But I aim to present this in as businesslike a way as possible, without great details about former employment and references, much more focus on what I offer, specialisations etc. As I said before, I am not looking for employment, I am offering a business service, and I simply object to the whole idea of being assessed as a potential 'external staff member'. To me, it is a question of how I perceive myself, and I do not see myself as working for (at the mercy of) my clients. They buy a service from me. My personal history is none of their business.
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Poll: What is the format of your CV?






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