Job Application: References on a resume?

Sheila Wilson:
most importantly, we're often bound by NDAs in our work, whether or not we actually sign a piece of paper.

Egmont Schroder wrote:
It is maybe wise not to give a list of references. But how about a "References Available upon Request"?

Sheila Wilson wrote:

The PDF you link to is for job-hunters, who have a totally different type of CV. If you've got that type you really need to junk it and start again. A freelancer's CV isn't about who you've worked with. It's about what texts you've worked on. You probably haven't worked with the author of those texts anyway; you probably worked through an agency.

So, (a) you can't cite as references people/organisations who don't know you exist (b) why ask an agency to recommend your services to another (competitor) agency when you're still available to work with them? And (c), most importantly, we're often bound by NDAs in our work, whether or not we actually sign a piece of paper.

What you can do is ask your cloents to leave feedback here on the site, and have it appear on your profile page. Give the link in your CV, mention it in your quote/introductory email and there you are: not references but testimonials to the quality of your work.

Andrea Diaz wrote:
When would be a good time to ask for feedback? I've been thinking about asking for feedback for a good client of mine, and I figured that after 5 projects it's okay to do so. I imagine that for a short, one-time project, it would be too bothersome. Am I correct in my assumption?

I hope that it's not necessary to have a proz account in order to leave a feedback. I would not want to bother them too much.

Egmont Schroder wrote:

I am translating for a certain time now, and the list of agencies and customers I am working for is getting longer and longer.

When I am applying for new translation jobs, I want the future customer to know about my successful work in the past and I am thinking to put them on my resume.

I did a bit research, and I found out that it is not common to put them on the resume, but to deliver them with a separate document. It is also not sure whether to send them with your resume or to provide them upon request (see: http://www.mtsu.edu/career/Resumes/ReferencesLitReview.pdf).

I am wondering how to handle this in the world of translations. Since we are applying for little jobs, not for an employment, does it make sense to send the references with your resume? How about the statement "References Available upon Request"? And how many references should you provide?

Moreover, agencies and customers who are in need of translation services are in some kind of "intercultural world". For example, it is uncommon in Germany to provide references with your resume, which is more a habit from Anglo-Saxon countries. But when I am applying for jobs in Germany, I am sending a English CV with three references on it.

I would be happy to hear some opinions from you about this problem, since some of you worked for translation companies or other outsourcers.

Konstantin St:
Considering the fact that the translation industry has a high employee turnover, such feedback can become rather dubious after some time. It can easily happen that none of the current PMs knows the colleague who gave the feedback and left the company two years ago. And really, how many translation agencies have the time to check with competitors to find out whether the references provided are indeed true?

I don't want to turn this into a rant, but it seems to me that translators have to provide more credentials than many other professionals. Besides the CV or resumé, the diploma and the certificate, we more often than not have to provide a test translation. Who hires a plumber and tells him to test-fix the sink before he pays him for the next job, if such job ever materializes?

gad wrote:

First of all, of course always ask permission before using anyone's name as a reference. Then, once you have about 3 or 4, prepare them in a separate document. Generally you do not put on your resume "reference available upon request" as that is kind of self-evident. If you are sending resumes by email, you could include a link to your ProZ.com profile, and links to your profile on other translator sites, if you have them. Other than that, I would wait until they specifically request references, but like I said keep them handy to send. I actually have 4 domestic references and 4 international references, they are all long-term clients with whom I still work on an ongoing basis. Good luck, HTH.

Sheila Wilson wrote:


I really don't know when is best, Andrea, as I've never been a client. I agree though that it probably isn't a good idea after just one small job. Apart from anything else, it could well be that the client will suggest you reciprocate (for example if they have a Blue Board record here). I personally prefer not to comment on a client too soon because some agencies do have a vexing habit of paying the first job very quickly and then not bothering so much (or maybe I'm just cynical).

I believe it used to be the case, but they made some changes a short while ago to introduce more flexibility and ease of use. I think they can just reply to your request now, though it won't hold the same weight as members' testimonials, as there's less possibility of ProZ.com verifying that they are real clients.