Applying For Translation Work – A Guide For The Freelancer

Posted by Admin on Aug 5, 2010 in Articles | 0 comments

I work as an Italian English Translation Project Manager at the translations agency Axis Translations.

Everyday me and my colleagues see larger numbers of enquiries from translators seeking work. I hope that some of my observations will help you be more successfull.

1) Update and scan your computer for viruses

How many translators CV’s get caught by an agencies firewall? I don’t know. It seems to happen in waves. We will have a batch of translators emails in a few days and then none for ages. But generally the email is deleted!

2) Put your details in the subject section of the email

If you are applying for a project posted on the web, put a reference to it in the subject box. The reference number for instance. If you are applying generally, list the languages in which you translate.

Why is this important? Simply translation agencies get a stack of emails each day and you want to be found. The translation project manager wants to be able to pick out the enquiries for their project with ease.

For general enquiries, you want your details to be saved in the right place. If the agency can see your languages they can copy your mail into the right languages section rather then putting you in the dreaded ‘look at later pile’.

3) Don’t apply for something you are not

We always look for translators to translate into their mother tongue and write this in our adverts. But we always get a loads of CV’s for people who do not fit the bill. For instance I post a job for a Italian>English Translation and get a CV from a Dutch native speaker who is fluent in neither language.

4) Don’t forget to provide rates and the rest of your ‘required’ information

When I am looking for a new translator and I have a number of applications, my shortlist will not include anyone who has missing information. I regularly see people who have missed their rates off the application. If a translation PM has opther options, they probably won’t chase a translator for further information.

5) Contact Info

I am not talking about address here. I am thinking of mobile phones.

Once a job has been confirmed the translation PM will wish to have the assignment placed with a translator ASAP. If they can’t find another number for you they will be likely to move further down the list and call the next translator…….your competition.

I hope my short list of tips for translation applications assist not only translators, but also translation PM’s.!

Want to Live a much Longer Life?

Times When a Hebrew Translator is Necessary

Posted by Admin on Jul 20, 2010 in Articles | 0 comments

It may not be today, this year or ten years from now but it is more likely than you would think that you may need one. Have you ever wanted a Hebrew tattoo? What about understanding the first testament on a deeper level? The more you think about it, there are several reasons you will be thankful that <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=Hebrew translators >http://www.multiling.com/hebrew_translation.htm</a> are available today.
More Reasons When You Might Need a Hebrew Translator
•    Going to Israel
•    Writing a kosher cookbook
•    Religious translation
•    Educational needs
•    Museum interpreters
•    Getting or giving a Hebrew tattoo

Requirements of a Hebrew Translator
Obviously, not everyone is qualified to be a Hebrew translator. Several years of higher education in language and history are required to know the language inside and out. A Hebrew translator must either be born and raised speaking Hebrew or have studied the language intensively.
Most Hebrew Translator Jobs require
•    5 years professional experience
•    College degree
•    Affiliation with proofreader
•    Certification, accreditation, diploma or other translation training
•    3 client recommendations
•    Pass USTC translator test

Instead of taking a risk by hiring someone out of the phone book whom you may not know at all, think about investing in a professional translation company.
How a Professional Software Localization and Translation Company Can Help You
•    A professional translation company will ensure that you are getting what you pay for, not just a heavy price for another person using the same translation software you could have bought at the computer store.
•    They hire translators who live in the country you are translating into.
•    They hire translators who are also trained in software localization, ensuring precise translation, so they know the language, laws and ethics as well as software programs and codes.
•    The benefit is that all of these services are in one company. Translation, localization and software localization all in one package, saving you time and money and hassles.

Want to Live a much Longer Life?