ProZ.com Translation Forums

Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test? | For the sake of discussion...

Elizabeth Tamblin (X) — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 09:41:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test?
Poster: Elizabeth Tamblin (X)
Post title: For the sake of discussion...

[quote]Lincoln Hui wrote:

[quote]Elizabeth Tamblin wrote:

Yeah, because I don't like people wasting my time. [/quote]
Then by all means, do whatever else you would rather be doing and don't take tests. But I know for a fact that I am not going to hug the paycheck from the one and complain about the other 19. [/quote]

Isn't that a bit like saying "If one client pays me for my work, I'm not going to complain if 19 others fail to pay me for the work I've done for them"?

Stealing time is as bad as stealing money.

Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test? | If you can't afford to waste your time...

Lincoln Hui — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 05:13:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test?
Poster: Lincoln Hui
Post title: If you can't afford to waste your time...

[quote]Elizabeth Tamblin wrote:

Yeah, because I don't like people wasting my time. [/quote]
Then by all means, do whatever else you would rather be doing and don't take tests. But I know for a fact that I am not going to hug the paycheck from the one and complain about the other 19.

Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test? | Free* Compliance & Tractability test

DZiW (X) — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 22:57:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test?
Poster: DZiW (X)
Post title: Free* Compliance & Tractability test

If an updated tailored CV, portfolio/samples, credentials, references, and a short interview is not allegedly enough to prove one's proficiency, then it's not what they are looking for, alas. Yet it's high time to ask for their credentials and solvency proofs, isn't it?

Although many middlemen say that FREE* tests are to just select "best"(?) specialists, they often do forget about the volume and purpose abuses, picking most needy PEMTs. Most such intermediaries deliberately sacrifice high quality for higher volumes—especially at the expense of voiceless bottom-feeders from developing countries.

Moreover, at least in the CIS, filthy and greedy agencies--directly or via dummies--often do split real projects into "free* tests" for professional translators and then offer "free* tests" for professional editors/proofreaders as well. Profit!

No, I have neither worked with/for agencies, nor I would ever consider such a subcontract self-limitation.

Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test? | .

Elizabeth Tamblin (X) — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 21:14:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test?
Poster: Elizabeth Tamblin (X)
Post title: .

[quote]Lincoln Hui wrote:

do you really care about the 19 tests that didn't amount to anything? [/quote]

Yeah, because I don't like people wasting my time.

Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test? | Take a view before you do the test

Dan Lucas — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 21:01:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test?
Poster: Dan Lucas
Post title: Take a view before you do the test

I don't often do tests unless there is a concrete project waiting in the offing.
If I cannot form a firm (positive) opinion on the client requesting the test, I don't take it. It's not difficult. Signing up with clients on spec has almost never been worth it for me.

Regards,
Dan

Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test? | Almost Never Do Them, And Only If They Pay For Them

Barbara Cochran, MFA — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 20:08:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test?
Poster: Barbara Cochran, MFA
Post title: Almost Never Do Them, And Only If They Pay For Them

Although my best and/or most loyal clients have, generally speaking, not expected me to do a "test", there have been occasions when I have done a preliminary sample, but only if the client pays for it, so they can get a feel for my style.

In the latter case, it's almost always just a formality, because their minds are just about 100% decided, when they contact me initially, that they're going to go with me, anyway.

Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test? | I have never got a job through tests.

Ali Sharifi — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 18:09:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test?
Poster: Ali Sharifi
Post title: I have never got a job through tests.

I am with Proz.com for about 7 months.
I have had three test but never heard back from the testers.[quote]Lincoln Hui wrote:

I don't know whether to envy or pity the people who have that sort of free time to pay attention. It's also not remotely important; if you do 20 tests in a year and only 1 becomes a true lead, but that one client ends up doing six-figures business with you, do you really care about the 19 tests that didn't amount to anything? [/quote]

Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test? | How do you even keep track?

Lincoln Hui — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 17:28:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test?
Poster: Lincoln Hui
Post title: How do you even keep track?

I don't know whether to envy or pity the people who have that sort of free time to pay attention. It's also not remotely important; if you do 20 tests in a year and only 1 becomes a true lead, but that one client ends up doing six-figures business with you, do you really care about the 19 tests that didn't amount to anything?

Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test? | I could not put a percentage on it

Christine Andersen — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 14:59:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test?
Poster: Christine Andersen
Post title: I could not put a percentage on it

I don't do a lot of tests, but I have been sent jobs after completing tests. I have actually worked for several years for the client after a test. I think this happened more often earlier in my career, i.e. something like 12-15 years ago.

I was once told that I rearranged the order of words in my translation, or did not keep to source-language syntax, so I ´failed´ the test! I have continued nevertheless to rearrange the syntax where I felt it necessary. :-D

I have also dutifully completed tests, and then never heard from the client again. One client still sends me Christmas greetings, but never any work.

Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test? | A lot of tests (US), few rewards

Joannie Pharand — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 13:29:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test?
Poster: Joannie Pharand
Post title: A lot of tests (US), few rewards

I did a bunch of tests in the US this year for Eng to Fr (CA) and I rarely "pass" them, meaning that after completion I get a generic email saying they went with another candidate, or something similar.
I've been employed full time for different companies, no problems, no tests for the past 6 years.
I've always wondered why I was not picked for these other jobs. Most of which were in the US. Fake tests? Too many translators to compare my test with?
No clue.
Keep on keeping on!

Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test? | I don’t keep track

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 10:30:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test?
Poster: Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Post title: I don’t keep track

As I’ve been translating full-time since 1985 (plus a few years part-time) I always find amusing when I’m asked for a test (free or not), though I understand that sometimes it might be useful to see how a translator treats this or that particular turn of phrase. If I’m really interested in a job I'll be happy to do a translation test, providing we have already agreed on price and payment and there is no deadline set for the test, so I can do it at my own pace. I would rather do a translation test than sending diplomas, references and the like and having to fill endless forms. Anyway, that’s how I got some of my best clients (direct clients and translation agencies) and some of my highest-paid assignments.

Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test? | never

Maxi Schwarz — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 10:20:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test?
Poster: Maxi Schwarz
Post title: never

Clients request translations, they don't "assign", and there is no reason for a test. My certification that I earned after stringent examination should be enough. For agencies, they can try the quality of my services with smaller projects first if they are not sure.

Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test? | .

Kay Denney — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 10:15:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test?
Poster: Kay Denney
Post title: .

I don't keep track but the number of applications far exceeds the number of jobs gained.

However, those clients I have managed to garner this way are all wonderful clients. Even the agency that told me I probably wouldn't hear from them again in that the job they advertised for in my language pair was a one-off Because they were up-front about it, that makes it OK. And then because in fact they have had other jobs in my language pair and they have contacted me about them!

Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test? | I don't remember

Muriel Vasconcellos (X) — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 10:11:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test?
Poster: Muriel Vasconcellos (X)
Post title: I don't remember

I have taken very few tests over my 50-year career. Many of my freelance clients either knew my work from when I was a full-time translator in an international organization or came to me by word of mouth. About 10 years ago I was approached by a prospective client who offered me a short paid translation, which I realized was probably a test because it was quite difficult and included common pitfalls. They are now one of my two best customers.

[Edited at 2019-12-28 10:15 GMT]

Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test? | I don't keep track

Elizabeth Tamblin (X) — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 09:20:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test?
Poster: Elizabeth Tamblin (X)
Post title: I don't keep track

For me it has been a rarity. Typically, I take the test, pass the test, fill in numerous forms, then never hear from the client again. Because of this, I'm now very wary of entering into any kind of initiation process with new agencies.

Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test? | Tests are scam

Martha Schwan — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 08:58:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test?
Poster: Martha Schwan
Post title: Tests are scam

I do not wish to do tests anymore because they always come with a supposed "test" and the reality is that the document is an actual translation.

They do not come back anymore with the results or an actual translation job.

Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test?

ProZ.com Staff — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 08:10:02 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test?
Poster: ProZ.com Staff

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test?".

This poll was originally submitted by Mario Laima. View the poll results »