| Pages in topic: < [1 2 3] > | What does a new translator have to do to find work? Thread poster: anukorpi
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Susanna Martoni 
Italy
Local time: 18:33
Member (2009)
Spanish to Italian
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| More comfort for the reader? | Apr 5, 2010 |
Vicky Nash wrote: While you're making changes to your profile you might want to upload a different picture - a smiling face always makes people seem more approachable  (although I agree that this won't work with more information about you)
Hi Anu Kristiina
I agree with Vicky and Nicole.
And add the following comment: maybe your C.V. lacks of some smoothness.
A reader/outsourcer/colleague perhaps needs more comfort while reading it.
I hope I was able to express my opinion clearly!
Regards
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anukorpi wrote:
How can a newbie get some work here?
I signed in here for approx. two years ago and never got a chance to make money.
I am a native Finn living since '99 in Germany. I have nearly zero experience in translating, but I studied tourism management and marketing in Germany.
Do you think I could have a chance to get a job here or not?
1/You need to create a CV that points out your strong points and your achievements and trainings...
2/ You have to be proactive and send your CV to agencies and prospect new clients in your area or contact managers of companies you know...
3/ You need to contact hotels, ...etc. in your area.
4/ You need to participate in the bids on this website
5/ You need discipline and patience to get started
6/ You need a more cheerful picture of you on the website
7/ You can try to contact other translators in your pair so that they sponsor you or so that you can be part of their team if they have a lot of work...
8/ You need to think out of the box...
Cheers;
MoH
| | | | Sebastian Witte
Germany
Local time: 18:33
Member (2004)
English to German
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| Different angle | Apr 5, 2010 |
Susanna Martoni wrote: Vicky Nash wrote: While you're making changes to your profile you might want to upload a different picture - a smiling face always makes people seem more approachable (although I agree that this won't work with more information about you) Hi Anu Kristiina I agree with Vicky and Nicole.
Is it just me who thinks your picture looks pretty cool, interesting and sincere? I also like the b&w. I would even say it downright makes you stand out from the ProZ.com crowd. Whereas I do appreciate a natural smile or some humor being hinted at in a portrait, I think the photo needs to match the personality of the individual. In case you're not too much into smiling on pictures or feel uncomfortable doing it, don't do it on there. The portrait has got to reflect your true self, it needs to be you.
Your German seems pretty good. Let's not be overly picky, apart from the fact people need to notice the CV hasn't been proofed by a native speaker of German for them to trust your proficiency in that language. It should be a true image of your skills in it. For example, neither my English nor my Spanish one has been proofed by a 2nd pair of eyes.
I agree with some colleagues that uploading a CV as a TXT is not a good idea. Use either DOC or PDF format.
| | | | anukorpi
Germany
Local time: 18:33
German to Finnish
TOPIC STARTER | Thank you of you many comments! | Apr 5, 2010 |
Fist of all, I agree that the CV is really unprofessional. I will work on a better version in German and in Finnish. I did not realize that it is so important. As I signed in, I thought that I would myself find some job ofers rather than presenting myself to a potential employer who is searching for a translator.
I am not a very happy joy hilarious type so it is not easy to find a smiling picture of me. Thanks for Sebastian supporting me on this. So, I will not change my profile pic... See more Fist of all, I agree that the CV is really unprofessional. I will work on a better version in German and in Finnish. I did not realize that it is so important. As I signed in, I thought that I would myself find some job ofers rather than presenting myself to a potential employer who is searching for a translator.
I am not a very happy joy hilarious type so it is not easy to find a smiling picture of me. Thanks for Sebastian supporting me on this. So, I will not change my profile picture.
One reason why there is no personal description of me is that I did not know whether I should write it in English, German or Finnish. What are your hints on this? ▲ Collapse
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784512 (X)
Germany
Local time: 18:33
German to English
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| say hello in all three to show your skills | Apr 6, 2010 |
anukorpi wrote:
One reason why there is no personal description of me is that I did not know whether I should write it in English, German or Finnish. What are your hints on this?
Perfect opportunity to demonstrate your proficiency in all three!
Mine is just in English, but most of my clients will speak English, very few will not. For you, having all three up is a good idea, just as with the CV. Good luck!
| | | | | CV is less important | Apr 6, 2010 |
I wonder why everyone keeps giving advice on the CV, because I don't think the CV is the most important.
First of all: Your language pair is not popular at all; Finnish-German is very rare.
Secondly: You are not a qualified translator (never having studied for it).
Because of the second reason, our agency couldn't work with you.
| | | | Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 17:33
Member (2007)
English
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| Just a tiny comment | Apr 6, 2010 |
anukorpi wrote:
As I signed in, I thought that I would myself find some job ofers rather than presenting myself to a potential employer who is searching for a translator.
Assuming you're a freelancer, you won't be looking for an "employer", or to be an "employee". A freelancer is an independant business person - you are your own employer and you propose your professional services to clients (who are either agencies acting as intermediaries, or end-clients).
It perhaps seems unimportant, particularly when you're writing in a foreign language, as English is for you, but it's more than words, it's about how you see yourself. See yourself as a professional, the owner of a small business, and you might come over as more professional.
One reason why there is no personal description of me is that I did not know whether I should write it in English, German or Finnish. What are your hints on this?
Certainly, in all 3.
| | | | | What does a new translator have to do to find work? | Apr 6, 2010 |
Rifraf wrote:
I wonder why everyone keeps giving advice on the CV, because I don't think the CV is the most important.
First of all: Your language pair is not popular at all; Finnish-German is very rare.
Secondly: You are not a qualified translator (never having studied for it).
Because of the second reason, our agency couldn't work with you.
Not to be a qualified translator does not mean that a person is not able to translate at least correctly. As I am a very experienced translator, but I am not a qualified one (as I began to translate only one Centre for Translation Studies existed in Spain), I ask you kindly that your agency never contacts with me for a job. Thank you.
[Editado a las 2010-04-06 23:16 GMT]
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Nicole Schnell
United States
Local time: 09:33
English to German
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In memoriam
Rifraf wrote:
Secondly: You are not a qualified translator (never having studied for it).
Because of the second reason, our agency couldn't work with you.
I have received the worst translations from candidates with a full yet fresh degree in translations. I am sorry - what counts is expertise in the field. Do not translate my EU papers like a fantasy story or whatever fiction or whatever you think is your mission since you have your precious degree.
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Nicole Schnell wrote: Rifraf wrote:
Secondly: You are not a qualified translator (never having studied for it).
Because of the second reason, our agency couldn't work with you. I have received the worst translations from candidates with a full yet fresh degree in translations.
And you're absolutely right: often translators fresh out of university still need a lot of practise before they are able to make excellent translations.
But everyone in the translation business can call himself a translator, so we prefer to work with translators who actually studied for it.
| | | | Krzysztof Kajetanowicz (X)
Poland
Local time: 18:33
English to Polish
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Rifraf wrote:
But everyone in the translation business can call himself a translator, so we prefer to work with translators who actually studied for it.
Which only goes to show there's maybe too little competition in the translation agency business.
| | | | | back to the point? | Sep 27, 2010 |
I started reading this thread because as a brand-new translator I'm trying to get as much info as possible about how to get new clients. I am a bit disappointed to see that most of the talk has concentrated on anukorpi's CV, and having to tell her how to write it and in what language(s).
I'd be really grateful if anyone had any useful tips / advice concerning marketing one's business as a "new" translator. I've already read some posts about the use of having a website, and I'm curre... See more I started reading this thread because as a brand-new translator I'm trying to get as much info as possible about how to get new clients. I am a bit disappointed to see that most of the talk has concentrated on anukorpi's CV, and having to tell her how to write it and in what language(s).
I'd be really grateful if anyone had any useful tips / advice concerning marketing one's business as a "new" translator. I've already read some posts about the use of having a website, and I'm currently having mine designed, but anything more would really be helpful. I'm sure anukorpi would love to get some more advice as well!
btw... To react to the latest posts...
I often find that agencies won't work with you unless you gratuated from a translation school. I understand that given the number of "professionals" out there who have little or no translation experience or training, it seems like an easy way to narrow down the number of CV's you have to choose from... But isn't it a bit unfair?
Of course I'm saying this because I didn't go to translation school, and although I did graduate in English I did not specialise in translation... However I was always top of the class in translation, and I've spent years abroad (England, Ireland, Australia, NZ and Canada). I am totally fluent; of course, that doesn't prove I'm a good translator...
... which brings me back to the original topic: I AM a good translator, but how can I make potential clients see that until I have had enough business to benefit from good references?
Thanks to anyone who will bring more helpful info to this thread
Cécile ▲ Collapse
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Annie and Rolf Reiser (X)
Local time: 10:33
English to German
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anukorpi wrote:
How can a newbie get some work here?
I signed in here for approx. two years ago and never got a chance to make money.
I am a native Finn living since '99 in Germany. I have nearly zero experience in translating, but I studied tourism management and marketing in Germany.
Do you think I could have a chance to get a job here or not?
Anukorpi,
I once was in a similar position. I once postet an almost identical blog at another blogsite. I once or twice ran out of work.
I kept busy with term translations, I became more active blogging, I did some pro bono work, I helped others and now I don't have to look back anymore. Suddenly I received two contracts for book translations, several small deals for marketing translations and then one blue chip comany after another. Over several years I didn't need CAT tools and just today I signed up for a beginners course for Trados because I can't keep up otherwise. I only translate into German and my wife only translates into American English.
Keep it up, build on your strenght and don't be cheap...ask your price.
Wish you all the best!
Rolf
| | | | Rolf Kern
Switzerland
Local time: 18:33
English to German
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In memoriam | It's difficult... | Sep 28, 2010 |
...because there are too many translators in the current laguages and by far too many translation agencies.
A website does not help. In the current languages, the best chances are for people that have long-time experience in business or technology and have discovered their flair for translation. Translation education does not help much because of lack of practical experience. So apply to tranlation agencies and ask for a free test translation. And try to get into contact with established t... See more ...because there are too many translators in the current laguages and by far too many translation agencies.
A website does not help. In the current languages, the best chances are for people that have long-time experience in business or technology and have discovered their flair for translation. Translation education does not help much because of lack of practical experience. So apply to tranlation agencies and ask for a free test translation. And try to get into contact with established translators with opposite languaga pairs, who might put you into contact with direct clients.
This is may own experience. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Sample translations | Oct 16, 2010 |
Thanks for the advice
There's something else I'm curious about: I have read that it's sometimes useful to send sample translations when applying for a job, or to show on your ProZ profile - the idea sounds good to me, because I don't have much experience yet, but I'm wondering what type of text I should use... Obviously something related to the fields I specialise in... But can I pick whatever text I want? I'm worrie... See more Thanks for the advice
There's something else I'm curious about: I have read that it's sometimes useful to send sample translations when applying for a job, or to show on your ProZ profile - the idea sounds good to me, because I don't have much experience yet, but I'm wondering what type of text I should use... Obviously something related to the fields I specialise in... But can I pick whatever text I want? I'm worried about copyrights and not being allowed to use certain texts... Has anyone got any tips about that?
Thanks a lot!!
Cécile ▲ Collapse
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