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How to Get a Job in the Translation Industry as a Graduate

Mar 03, 2023

Depending on your language combination, area of specialism, and where you are based, it may not be easy to find junior translator positions. Compared to other professions, finding graduate roles, junior titles, or internships in translation can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. The key is to seek out ways to gain experience and learning opportunities, no matter how big or small. Here are just a few ways to give yourself a leg...

5 Continual Professional Development Ideas for Translators and Interpreters in 2023

Feb 27, 2023

You may have a language-related qualification, or several. You may have experience; maybe even more than just a few years. But no industry is static; languages and job requirements move. Continuous Professional Development ( CPD ), or just Professional Development (PD), means maintaining, improving, and expanding your knowledge and skills as a professional linguist and actively engaging in activities to do so. It is essential for...

5 Ways for Freelance Interpreters to Boost Business

Feb 13, 2023

The way we live and work is constantly evolving, and the language industry is no exception. The good news is that the language industry is growing and there is significant demand for interpreters. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of interpreters and translators will grow 20% within a decade (from 2021 to 2031), which is significantly faster than other professions. The most common interpretation services being...

Why Join a Professional Translation Association in 2023?

Feb 01, 2023

Professional associations exist in almost every industry in all corners of the world. And for good reason. So, let’s take a look at what key qualities define a professional association in the language industry, why joining a professional association is beneficial to veteran linguists and fledgling translators alike, the different types of associations, and a few noteworthy examples from around the world. What is a Professional...

Top Tips to Translation Portfolio Perfection

Jan 19, 2023

Portfolios are a great way for newbies to the world of freelance translation or those looking for new opportunities to let any potential employer, client, or LSP know why they need you. You might be thinking I already have to provide a CV, a personal statement or cover letter, an initial translation test, and now a portfolio too? Whatever for? While it may not always be a requirement of the application, and instead of approaching...

The Power of Specializing as a Freelance Translator

Jan 06, 2023

Being a ‘specialist’ in the translation field is not clearly defined, but for freelance linguists, ‘specializing’ generally denotes a focus on one or more specific fields rather than trying to translate every document that comes your way. Sometimes less really is more and here’s why. The Benefits Specializing enables you to work more efficiently and earn more since the more you know, the quicker you can...

Who’s the Boss? Translating for Direct Clients vs. Translation Agencies

Dec 02, 2022

All freelance translators know their success depends on their ability to find, win over, and keep clients. But some translators target specific potential buyers, which can be broadly categorized as either direct clients or agencies. The difference can impact a translator’s day-to-day work, resume, or career progress. Job Stability With mass layoffs making headlines worldwide, it’s natural for translators to consider the...

3 Key Factors to Consider When Setting Your Translation Rates

Nov 14, 2022

Knowing what to charge as a freelance translator is a very big challenge. How much you should charge is on a case-by-case basis and can be influenced by a number of factors. These factors include the domain you are working in, the deadlines that you are working to, and the language pair. Domain Domain expertise is one factor that affects the price. For example, a legal or technical document requires specialized knowledge and...

In Transcreating Medical Marketing Content, the Challenges of Regulatory Language

Sep 28, 2022

Medical writers have to adhere to numerous guidelines and regulations surrounding what can or cannot be said about a medical or a pharmaceutical product. Marketing language is even trickier, as copywriters have to transmit a message that captures the advantages of a product, at the same time staying within regulatory language constraints . By the time medical and pharmaceutical promotional materials reach the stage of transcreation , a...

Localization Pro As Cultural Broker: Are You Truly Fluent in Your Client’s Language?

Sep 21, 2022

A fair amount of cultural education takes place in the form of customer care when it comes to clients who may be completely new to language services — let alone other languages and cultures. Industry cultural skills are as important as global cultural knowledge for localization pros, and can have a direct impact on the provider's financials. Let's say you’re working for a language service provider ( LSP ), and your day...

Teamwork in the Translation Industry

Aug 11, 2022

Whether it’s an all-hands-on-deck emergency or a predictably recurring high-volume job, teamwork is not uncommon in the translation industry. Here’s a peek at some of the most common “team projects” you’ll encounter, and tips for excelling in each situation. You + Freelancers Both vendor managers and project managers interact with freelance translators daily — a relationship...

Referrals 101

Jul 28, 2022

Unless you’re currently at your first job ever, you’re probably familiar with the practice of providing references who can attest to the quality of your work. (For freelancers, these tend to be testimonials excerpted on a resume, profile, or website.) Referrals, on the other hand, are your chance to pay it forward by sharing the name of someone you think could be a good match for a job opening with your current employer (or...

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