Moving to London Thread poster: Elena Rodríguez Sanguino
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Hello there!
Well, I know this subject has been dealt with many many times here and maybe you are a bit tired of people like me but I would really appreciate any kind of advice from you (pleeeasse!!!)
My situation:
I´m 29 years old and have a degree in Translation and Interpreting in German, English and Spanish by the University of Granada (Spain), I´m also sworn translator for the combination German-Spanish by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Sin... See more Hello there!
Well, I know this subject has been dealt with many many times here and maybe you are a bit tired of people like me but I would really appreciate any kind of advice from you (pleeeasse!!!)
My situation:
I´m 29 years old and have a degree in Translation and Interpreting in German, English and Spanish by the University of Granada (Spain), I´m also sworn translator for the combination German-Spanish by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since I finished my studies 6 years ago I’ve been working (and still work) for General Dynamics (a company which manufactures battle tanks/vehicles for different armies) as in-house technical translator, I’ve also worked for different clients as freelance sworn translator so I have legal background as well. The thing is that I feel that my time as in-house translator for this company has come to an end and, considering the terrible situation in Spain, I would like to move to London and try to work there as freelance translator. So, after this never-ending introduction, here comes my question:
Do you think I may have job opportunities there? How is the situation of translators in the UK? Of course I would always translate into my mother tongue, I know my English is not perfect at all but that’s another reason to go there...
How could I start freelancing (after all the paperwork and completing my Proz profile )??
Thank you very much. I’ve read many posts relating to this concern and you really provide a real vision of the business in your country.
Regards from Seville!! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:48
Member (2008)
Italian to English
The UK has an enormous armaments industry so I'm sure you'd find plenty of opportunities.
| | | | Russell Jones 
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:48
Italian to English
| Observations | Mar 27, 2012 |
Hi Elena
I can't give you very specific advice, as very few of my clients are in the UK, but that does lead me to comment that location is not always very important in identifying clients; this is a global business.
Of more general concern is your planned move from in-house to freelance. It takes time to build up a client base and you may need to allow a year or two to build up to a living wage (unless you can acquire clients beforehand in your specialist subject).
... See more Hi Elena
I can't give you very specific advice, as very few of my clients are in the UK, but that does lead me to comment that location is not always very important in identifying clients; this is a global business.
Of more general concern is your planned move from in-house to freelance. It takes time to build up a client base and you may need to allow a year or two to build up to a living wage (unless you can acquire clients beforehand in your specialist subject).
Trying to do this at the same time as moving to an expensive city like London sounds to me extremely brave or optimistic, unless you have resources to fall back on or are willing to take on other work in the meantime. ▲ Collapse
| | | | LuciaC
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:48
English to Italian
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Thank you very much for your answers!
It really means so much for me to get the opinion from people so experienced as you all are.
Well, I am not moving alone, my husband is also coming; he is graphic designer so I thought it would be easier for him to get a job in a big city like London. We both know that it’s going to be difficult at the beginning and I don’t mind to get another job in the meantime I acquire some clients, we just want to start a new life outside Spain, not be... See more Thank you very much for your answers!
It really means so much for me to get the opinion from people so experienced as you all are.
Well, I am not moving alone, my husband is also coming; he is graphic designer so I thought it would be easier for him to get a job in a big city like London. We both know that it’s going to be difficult at the beginning and I don’t mind to get another job in the meantime I acquire some clients, we just want to start a new life outside Spain, not because I don’t feel proud of being Spanish but because of the bad situation here.
I just wanted to know if it is possible to live on translation there (as freelance I mean), and how the situation of the country is (because it is very very bad in Spain).
Thank you all!!! ▲ Collapse
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