| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Agencies' reactions to being asked for references Thread poster: Nesrin
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Nesrin 
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:18
English to Arabic
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From your experience, how do agencies react to being repeatedly asked to provide references?
As I'm preparing to send out a new batch of applications, I'm a bit worried about the fact that I've mentioned certain agencies again and again (the ones I've worked with most over the past year). Are they going to feel irritated? Is it a routine job they do on a daily basis? Are they going to worry about me wanting to work for other agencies? Would it be wise to just send off the applications wit... See more From your experience, how do agencies react to being repeatedly asked to provide references?
As I'm preparing to send out a new batch of applications, I'm a bit worried about the fact that I've mentioned certain agencies again and again (the ones I've worked with most over the past year). Are they going to feel irritated? Is it a routine job they do on a daily basis? Are they going to worry about me wanting to work for other agencies? Would it be wise to just send off the applications without mentioning references? Thanks in advance for your feedback. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | I don't understand your title | Dec 15, 2004 |
Hi Nesrin
I don't understand why you say "how do agencies react to being repeatedly asked to provide references" if you're going to send your references.
What is the "routine job they do on a daily basis"?
Of course, I think that you can send applications mentionning the agencies you work for or have worked for, but I don't understand your quest... See more Hi Nesrin
I don't understand why you say "how do agencies react to being repeatedly asked to provide references" if you're going to send your references.
What is the "routine job they do on a daily basis"?
Of course, I think that you can send applications mentionning the agencies you work for or have worked for, but I don't understand your questions.
Claudia ▲ Collapse
| | | | Nesrin
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:18
English to Arabic
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TOPIC STARTER | Clarification | Dec 15, 2004 |
Hi Claudia
What I mean is: I send an application off to Agencies A, B and C (and others) citing Agency D, with whom I have worked over the last year, as my reference. Agencies A, B and C will get in touch with Agency D, asking them to comment my work. Should I expect Agency D to respond to those requests, is it something that agencies routinely do and consider a normal part of their work? (etc)
I'm sorry if there was anything unclear about my original posting!
Ne... See more Hi Claudia
What I mean is: I send an application off to Agencies A, B and C (and others) citing Agency D, with whom I have worked over the last year, as my reference. Agencies A, B and C will get in touch with Agency D, asking them to comment my work. Should I expect Agency D to respond to those requests, is it something that agencies routinely do and consider a normal part of their work? (etc)
I'm sorry if there was anything unclear about my original posting!
Nesrin ▲ Collapse
| | | | | good relationship | Dec 15, 2004 |
If you have had a good relationship with your regular project manager at the agency, it really should not be a problem.
Orla
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Andy Lemminger
Canada
Local time: 00:18
Member (2002)
English to German
| Wouldn't do it | Dec 15, 2004 |
Honest opinion: If they are often asked to provide references, sooner or later they will be annoyed. It's not their job to do it and they have to spend time for every single incidence.
That's why I never (!) provide any reference. I just think that it is my job to help my clients and not to keep them busy...
Good luck
Andy
| | | | Trudy Peters
United States
Local time: 02:18
German to English
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| First of all, | Dec 16, 2004 |
did you ask the agency's permission to cite it as a reference?
Second, if the agency agrees, don't worry about it too much, because chances are that most of the companies you send applications to won't bother to check out the references. (At least, that's been my experience as an agency owner. I've only gotten one inquiry in over 15 years!)
Trudy
| | | | Parrot
Spain
Local time: 08:18
Spanish to English
+ ...
| As long as you warn the agency beforehand | Dec 16, 2004 |
(and if you have a good working relationship with them, that's no problem), I don't see how they would be upset. It's not a routine job for an agency, and as Trudy says, few people actually check - but here we have another mechanics at work: if a competitor was cited, it would be a mite intimidating to ask it for references!
On this principle, the references you cite might just spark various reactions (best to make sure they are good and solid).
The best references, if ... See more (and if you have a good working relationship with them, that's no problem), I don't see how they would be upset. It's not a routine job for an agency, and as Trudy says, few people actually check - but here we have another mechanics at work: if a competitor was cited, it would be a mite intimidating to ask it for references!
On this principle, the references you cite might just spark various reactions (best to make sure they are good and solid).
The best references, if you can swing it, are clients who publish your work on-line or in book form and give you credit.
The best (read, most prestigious) may sometimes not be cited due to varying degrees and forms of non-disclosure. For instance, if you ever work for defence, a personal (not institutional) reference is better.
A client who makes his own client roster public is less likely to object to the practice. Go to the agency's website and see if they cite the companies they've worked for (note that this may be culturally-determined). ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Prior consent | Dec 16, 2004 |
Seeking prior consent is a good practice to follow. In fact, it would be better not to specifically mention such references in every application submitted unless explicitly required, saving your valuable references from responding too frequently to inquiries, a situation that can easily turn into an annoyance for the agencies in question.
Another good practice is to ask for a short "letter of successful completion" for major projects. This implies, by and in itself, that you would u... See more Seeking prior consent is a good practice to follow. In fact, it would be better not to specifically mention such references in every application submitted unless explicitly required, saving your valuable references from responding too frequently to inquiries, a situation that can easily turn into an annoyance for the agencies in question.
Another good practice is to ask for a short "letter of successful completion" for major projects. This implies, by and in itself, that you would use such letters if and when required. It serves both as a reference as well as a prior consent to use it.
h.i.h.
SB ▲ Collapse
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| test translation | Dec 16, 2004 |
Agencies are more likely to ask you to do a test translation so they can assess your work directly, instead of asking for a reference.
| | | | Nesrin
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:18
English to Arabic
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TOPIC STARTER | Thanks everyone | Dec 16, 2004 |
Thanks to all for your responses!
I actually never volunteer to cite references, but only do so when the agency asks me to do so, or the application form includes a "references" field.
I wouldn't feel so good about leaving this field blank - the agency might think I'm not confident enough about my previous work.
It is a good idea to get the agencies' permission first before citing them. And it's up to them to respond to the other agency's request or to simply to ignore ... See more Thanks to all for your responses!
I actually never volunteer to cite references, but only do so when the agency asks me to do so, or the application form includes a "references" field.
I wouldn't feel so good about leaving this field blank - the agency might think I'm not confident enough about my previous work.
It is a good idea to get the agencies' permission first before citing them. And it's up to them to respond to the other agency's request or to simply to ignore it.
Selçuk's suggestion that I ask for a letter of successful completion of projects is great. I know many agencies will be a bit reluctant to do that, but it's worth giving it a try.
 ) ▲ Collapse
| | | | Hirschmann (X)
Local time: 08:18
English to German
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| I would never provide references | Dec 16, 2004 |
Translators should become aware that they, as any other freelancer, are entrepreneurs.
As an entrepreneur, you shouldn't apply for translation jobs but provide quotations.
As an entrepreneur, you shouldn't provide references. Why should you? Do the freelancers who provide services to you such as dentists, lawyers or tax consultants provide you with references?
No, they don't, and they never will.
So, why should free-lance translators?
... See more Translators should become aware that they, as any other freelancer, are entrepreneurs.
As an entrepreneur, you shouldn't apply for translation jobs but provide quotations.
As an entrepreneur, you shouldn't provide references. Why should you? Do the freelancers who provide services to you such as dentists, lawyers or tax consultants provide you with references?
No, they don't, and they never will.
So, why should free-lance translators?
We as entrepreneurs should rather ask translation agencies for bank references because we should know if they are at all able to pay our invoices. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Lia Fail (X)
Spain
Local time: 08:18
Spanish to English
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Andy Lemminger wrote:
Honest opinion: If they are often asked to provide references, sooner or later they will be annoyed. It's not their job to do it and they have to spend time for every single incidence.
That's why I never (!) provide any reference. I just think that it is my job to help my clients and not to keep them busy...
Good luck
Andy
Precisely, I feel terrible about asking clients to provide references, they are most of them run off their feet, like me (and I resent anything that keeps me at the computer longer than absolutely necessary).
In my CV etc I state that I will do a sample, and ONLY in very particular cases, provide a reference.
And when I need a reference, I contact someone with whom I have worked with recently, whose (hopefully!) positive memory of me is still with him/her, and politely ask them, giving the name of the requester.
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Monika Sojka
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:18
Member (2003)
English to Polish
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| my experience | Dec 16, 2004 |
I don't know about other countries but in the UK agencies very often require that a translator provides them with references and they verify it rather thoroughly, at times by sending some form out to them to be filled out. This form might be rather lenghthy and requires that your client gives detailed information about your work for them.
I used to work for an agency briefly and know how irritated clients get when they have to spend 15 mins by filling the form out.
I even asked some... See more I don't know about other countries but in the UK agencies very often require that a translator provides them with references and they verify it rather thoroughly, at times by sending some form out to them to be filled out. This form might be rather lenghthy and requires that your client gives detailed information about your work for them.
I used to work for an agency briefly and know how irritated clients get when they have to spend 15 mins by filling the form out.
I even asked some of my clients to provide me with written reference and give me consent to send this reference to any other potential clients but very very often it is not enough. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Aniello Scognamiglio (X)
Germany
Local time: 08:18
English to German
+ ...
| Agree to the fullest extent!!! | Dec 16, 2004 |
Translators should become aware that they, as any other freelancer, are entrepreneurs.
>>> When will translaters eventually become aware of that and behave accordingly??????
| | | | Hirschmann (X)
Local time: 08:18
English to German
+ ...
| I'm fed up with brazen-faced translation agencies | Dec 17, 2004 |
Who do these xxxxxx think they are?
I have just sent the following e-mail message to a translation agency:
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Subject: http://www.proz.com/job/68088
Hello,
before I make an offer to your company, please have your bank send a signed bank reference to my fax number, +49 89 28674786.
Kind regards,
Dieter Hirschmann... See more Who do these xxxxxx think they are?
I have just sent the following e-mail message to a translation agency:
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Subject: http://www.proz.com/job/68088
Hello,
before I make an offer to your company, please have your bank send a signed bank reference to my fax number, +49 89 28674786.
Kind regards,
Dieter Hirschmann
--- ▲ Collapse
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