How can translators and interpreters increase their chances of employment?

Here is our guide to help translators and interpreters increase their chances of employment…

Presentation/CV

First impressions count. If your CV has errors or does not show you at your best – frankly, you’ve blown it.

Communication

Don’t just send your CV off to 500 companies, sit back and expect work to arrive. Posting letters and CVs is also a waste of time and money (unless requested) as people want to cut down paperwork. Target five potential clients a day. Call them. Find out do they need your language combination, and if so what do they pay? Ask them if they’d like your details and how you should apply. Start with the larger companies, any you have a contact with, and if you have a specialism, those working in the same subject area.

Be polite, keep it brief (unless they are chatty!), follow it up to thank them for their time. Make your application. Follow up – allow some weeks to pass. If there is a translation company on your doorstep, make an appointment to pop in and see them. Take biscuits or a local treat!

Offered work?

Respond quickly with a polite yes or no. Clarify any points you are not sure of. Deadline, rate of pay, payment terms –don’t start work from a new client without a PO or full confirmation in writing. This may change with regular clients but keep good records of conversations and always send an email confirming your understanding.

Doing the work?

Raise queries, but be prepared to do some research of your own too. Deliver on time, check it has arrived safely. Follow any instructions regarding invoicing.

Keep in touch

Don’t email daily with an update of your movements and availability! But do stay in touch, and if it all goes quiet, make a quick phone call to check everything is OK.