How to build a good profile Thread poster: Diego Sibilia
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Hi all,
My first post had a very bad influence on the people. I hope the second one will be smoother.
I'd like to understand how to customize my profile in order to show all my skills. I guess the format is important, but also the content of the profile and the CV. I can see many different types of profiles on this platform, long and short ones. I'd like to understand (if there is), the secret of the well done profile.
I'd also understand how to prepare a... See more Hi all,
My first post had a very bad influence on the people. I hope the second one will be smoother.
I'd like to understand how to customize my profile in order to show all my skills. I guess the format is important, but also the content of the profile and the CV. I can see many different types of profiles on this platform, long and short ones. I'd like to understand (if there is), the secret of the well done profile.
I'd also understand how to prepare a good CV. I guess mine sucks.
Best to everybody.
PS
I don't want to seems rude or harsh, but please do not answer if you have only complains. Thx in advance.
D ▲ Collapse
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I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but there really is no "secret". No-one here can wave a magic wand and create a good CV for you... you'll have to go to Hogwarts for that.
There is so much information on ProZ; I built my CV through looking at other translators' CVs, deciding what worked and what didn't, and looking at a lot of resources online. I remember Monster.ca being very good. And then a lot, and I mean a LOT ... See more I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but there really is no "secret". No-one here can wave a magic wand and create a good CV for you... you'll have to go to Hogwarts for that.
There is so much information on ProZ; I built my CV through looking at other translators' CVs, deciding what worked and what didn't, and looking at a lot of resources online. I remember Monster.ca being very good. And then a lot, and I mean a LOT of hard work.
All translators are different, with different skill sets and specialisations. And as Bob Marley said, "You can't please all the people all of the time." Even when you put together what you think is a good profile, some will love it and some will hate it. All you can do is create what best showcases your particular skills.
Why should someone give you work?
What is it that makes you good at what you do?
These are important questions, because if you don't identify your strengths, you will never be able to communicate them to your clients.
Best of luck.
[Edited at 2014-02-26 19:35 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | ATIL KAYHAN 
Türkiye
Local time: 13:51
Member (2007)
Turkish to English
+ ...
| ProZ Profile | Feb 26, 2014 |
I think Internet is an excellent resource when it comes to preparing a good CV/resume. There are millions of CV/resume examples that can be reached by a simple web search. By the way, Europeans call it a CV, Americans call it a resume. I write it as CV/resume to give credit to both Europe and US.
It pays to look at as many profiles as you want to get an idea about a good profile. First of all, it takes time to build a good profile. Do not expect miracles in a matter of days. S... See more I think Internet is an excellent resource when it comes to preparing a good CV/resume. There are millions of CV/resume examples that can be reached by a simple web search. By the way, Europeans call it a CV, Americans call it a resume. I write it as CV/resume to give credit to both Europe and US.
It pays to look at as many profiles as you want to get an idea about a good profile. First of all, it takes time to build a good profile. Do not expect miracles in a matter of days. Second, a profile is only as good as its individual parts, such as a CV/resume. So, it is a good idea to break the profile down into its individual parts, and work on each part separately. Third, it is a good idea to ask for opinions when you think you are finished. That way, you can get a more objective criticism of your profile. We sometimes tend to be blind to our own mistakes. Also, a profile can be a living document. Therefore, it is a good idea to take a look at it from time to time, and see if it needs any updates. By the way, I need to do this step myself.
I have not looked at your ProZ profile yet but I will soon. If there are any comments I can give after looking at your profile, I will try to give those as well. Best of luck. ▲ Collapse
| | | | ATIL KAYHAN
Türkiye
Local time: 13:51
Member (2007)
Turkish to English
+ ...
Dear Diego,
I think your CV/resume is way too long. In my opinion, a good CV/resume should be one-page long, and never exceed two pages. I think yours is too long. I do not know how to make it shorter. Only you can accomplish that because it is your CV/resume. Long time ago, I heard an anecdote as follows. How long is President Obama's resume? (At that time, of course, it was a different president.) The answer is that it is only one line, and it goes like this: President of ... See more Dear Diego,
I think your CV/resume is way too long. In my opinion, a good CV/resume should be one-page long, and never exceed two pages. I think yours is too long. I do not know how to make it shorter. Only you can accomplish that because it is your CV/resume. Long time ago, I heard an anecdote as follows. How long is President Obama's resume? (At that time, of course, it was a different president.) The answer is that it is only one line, and it goes like this: President of the United States of America. Period. This anecdote shows that the shorter a CV/resume, the better it is. I believe that. So, please try to make yours shorter. When it is shorter, it will be more concentrated. This way, it is diluted. You do not want a diluted CV/resume. ▲ Collapse
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Diego Sibilia
Italy
Local time: 12:51
English to Italian
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
I guess you are right. Can you provide a sample of a good CV. The Web is too full of every kind of CV. Is the European CV format useless?
It's not easy to short a CV I guess. I have at least to have an idea about what I am doing.
Best to you and thx 4 your time
D
ATIL KAYHAN wrote:
Dear Diego,
I think your CV/resume is way too long. In my opinion, a good CV/resume should be one-page long, and never exceed two pages. I think yours is too long. I do not know how to make it shorter. Only you can accomplish that because it is your CV/resume. Long time ago, I heard an anecdote as follows. How long is President Obama's resume? (At that time, of course, it was a different president.) The answer is that it is only one line, and it goes like this: President of the United States of America. Period. This anecdote shows that the shorter a CV/resume, the better it is. I believe that. So, please try to make yours shorter. When it is shorter, it will be more concentrated. This way, it is diluted. You do not want a diluted CV/resume.
| | | | ATIL KAYHAN
Türkiye
Local time: 13:51
Member (2007)
Turkish to English
+ ...
| It is a process. | Feb 27, 2014 |
There is a saying: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Similarly, a good CV is in the eye of the client. It is really impossible to select one best CV. There are so many variables. A good CV for an artist would probably be so much different from a good CV for a mechanical technician. One criterion for a good CV is that you should write it, not somebody else. It takes a lot of time to write it. You can look at examples here at ProZ profiles. Most of all, I think you should have a printe... See more There is a saying: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Similarly, a good CV is in the eye of the client. It is really impossible to select one best CV. There are so many variables. A good CV for an artist would probably be so much different from a good CV for a mechanical technician. One criterion for a good CV is that you should write it, not somebody else. It takes a lot of time to write it. You can look at examples here at ProZ profiles. Most of all, I think you should have a printed copy on your desk at all times in an effort to improve it. I used to do that myself but not anymore. 
It really starts to flow once you get the hang of it. Start by printing a copy of your CV right now. Coming up with a good CV is not a one-shot operation. It is a continuous process that never ends. Only you can master this process. It is one thing you can not delegate to somebody else. If you never learn it, you will be missing so much. Good luck. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Diego Sibilia
Italy
Local time: 12:51
English to Italian
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
thx it seems a good idea.
best to you
ATIL KAYHAN wrote: There is a saying: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Similarly, a good CV is in the eye of the client. It is really impossible to select one best CV. There are so many variables. A good CV for an artist would probably be so much different from a good CV for a mechanical technician. One criterion for a good CV is that you should write it, not somebody else. It takes a lot of time to write it. You can look at examples here at ProZ profiles. Most of all, I think you should have a printed copy on your desk at all times in an effort to improve it. I used to do that myself but not anymore. It really starts to flow once you get the hang of it. Start by printing a copy of your CV right now. Coming up with a good CV is not a one-shot operation. It is a continuous process that never ends. Only you can master this process. It is one thing you can not delegate to somebody else. If you never learn it, you will be missing so much. Good luck.
| | | | Niina Lahokoski
Finland
Local time: 13:51
Member (2008)
English to Finnish
+ ...
| Euro-CV is too complex | Feb 27, 2014 |
The Europass CV may not be the best format for you, if you are a freelance professional trying to market your services, as opposed to a person applying for work. Personally I find the Euro-CV too long and complicated for any purpose - it's impossible to make it short.
When designing your profile, take the point of view of a potential client. If you had to choose a translator for a project, what would you like to know about him/her?
I have chosen not to use a CV at all -... See more The Europass CV may not be the best format for you, if you are a freelance professional trying to market your services, as opposed to a person applying for work. Personally I find the Euro-CV too long and complicated for any purpose - it's impossible to make it short.
When designing your profile, take the point of view of a potential client. If you had to choose a translator for a project, what would you like to know about him/her?
I have chosen not to use a CV at all - instead I have a "Translator Profile" that lists my languages, services, specialities, relevant experience and education, translation tools, memberships etc., all in a very short form - but even then it's still 2 pages. Of course, it's always "under construction"... ▲ Collapse
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Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 11:51
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
| Our CVs are CVs in name only, IMO | Feb 27, 2014 |
Niina Lahokoski wrote:
I have chosen not to use a CV at all - instead I have a "Translator Profile" that lists my languages, services, specialities, relevant experience and education, translation tools, memberships etc., all in a very short form - but even then it's still 2 pages. Of course, it's always "under construction"...
That's exactly what I advise freelance translators to produce, Niina. I call it a CV simply because that's what our clients always call it, that's all. Give it a different name and they'll still ask to see your CV too!
But then there's no way a CV for a salaried employee should be their entire life history, whatever the Latin meaning of those initials. Life is too long and varied, and HR managers' time is far too short. Whether you're looking for a salary or proposing your services, your employer/client is only looking for confirmation that you can do their job - they really aren't interested in anything else. And if they have to read more than a couple of lines that don't interest them then you'll be sidelined, no matter what incredible revelations await on following lines and pages.
BTW: I wrote the bare bones of a Translators' Wiki on this subject. You can find it, along with a lot of other useful information on marketing, here: http://wiki.proz.com/wiki/index.php/Category:Marketing
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