The Response that Completely Blew My Mind | Freelance Translator's must follow this.

Just recently I decided to jump in the entrepreneur bandwagon and become a freelance Spanish Translator. I created a logo, a Facebook page, and set up a website. I was pumped! I couldn't wait to share my language skills with businesses in my community and in the online world. I was so ready.

However, I was pretty much clueless when it came down to marketing my new agency. I shared my website with friends and family in the hopes that they would actually forward it to a potential client, but the process seemed really slow and nonproductive. I started to get a bit discouraged, thinking that maybe I was too inexperienced to make all of this work. But after much reading about the translation field and gaining insights through other translators' experiences, I realized that if I sat and waited for any potential clients to come to me, I'd probably be waiting for a very long time.

So, the solution–or so I thought–was simple. I needed to go seek for those jobs out there myself, instead of waiting for potential clients to somehow find me. Well, was I in for a big surprise!

I registered in several translation websites where it seemed like translation jobs where posted by the minute. Because of the number of postings, I didn't think I would have to wait long before someone hired me. After all, I had a Master's degree in Spanish Linguistics and felt confident about my education and my language skills. But I soon learned that potential clients, more often than not, want someone with experience. My resume did not stand a chance next to the 30-40 experienced translators who were too wanting to get their hands on many of these projects. Again, I got a bit discouraged, but more than anything, I was starting to get annoyed. How can I gain experience if I'm not given a chance?

After trying this approach for less than a week (I know, I'm not very patient, am I?), I realized that this was NOT the right way for me to get started. I needed to reach out to people that knew me, people who already had a glimpse of what I was like as a person, people who would actually take a chance and trust that I would do an excellent job, even without the experience. But, who? Where was I to find THE person that would give me that chance?

And then that night, while lying in bed, I thought of this person's name. His agency was very well-known in the adoption/social work field, and I started thinking that maybe the idea of translating his website into Spanish would really interest him. But, what if he had already done this?

The next morning, I logged into his webpage, crossing my fingers that I wouldn't find a link to a Spanish version of his site. I looked all over, and I couldn't find one. Could it be possible? His online competitors—which I took the time to check—had theirs translated into Spanish, but they were clearly done by machine translation. I started feeling that maybe I was coming close to finding my first client!

After contacting him via email, I got a response that completely blew my mind. He shared with me how they had actually talked about doing this for years –they even had their Spanish domain name registered—but because of budget reasons it had not become a priority. Talk about following your gut feeling!

After exchanging a few more emails and a visit to his office, he hired me to translate his entire website! Honestly, the process was much simpler than trying to land a project on upwork.com or freelancer.com. I have nothing against these websites; for the experienced translator these may be great niches to find clients for the long term, but for someone with no experience, they are simply time wasters.

Finding that first client is kind of a big deal for anyone in this competitive field. Being new at anything is not easy, but we all have to start somewhere. Landing my first direct client was a miracle; but I also know that had I not acted upon the thought and followed my gut instinct, I wouldn't be working on my first translation job today.

So, remember, next time a thought or an idea is keeping you up at night, don't dismiss it so fast. Pursue it. Don't be afraid. It may be worth giving it a try.

Advice for Translators When Approaching Translation Agencies - Part II

When applying to a translation agency, be sure to mention any industry-specific software and tools you have experience with.

Subject Should Be Straightforward and Self-Explanatory

Your aim when sending an email is to ensure that the recipient of your email not only receives your communication but is immediately interested in reading the contents. In order to ensure this occurs you need to create a self-explanatory and straightforward subject for your emails. This is even more important when emailing a translation agency’s generic email address because it’s the only way to ensure your application won’t be treated as spam.

Keep Your CV Simple and Straight to the Point

Generally, HR managers at translation agencies prefer to receive résumés that focus on languages, specialities, and experience, rather than talking about rates and irrelevant details. Once you’ve attracted the attention of the agency, then discussion can occur on rates and other details. What’s vitally important is that there can be no mistakes whatsoever in your CV; mistakes such as spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors. Don’t ever send out a CV that has not been proofread many times! If the HR manager finds fault with your CV, it’s only natural that they’re going to wonder how you’ll handle working under high-pressure conditions and with a tight deadline. There’s no deadline when you prepare and email your CV, so use your time wisely and make sure it’s 100% accurate.

All Your CV Information Must Be Verifiable

All the information contained within your CV must be true and easily verifiable. Most agencies have someone within their HR department whose job it is to check qualifications, references, and other relevant information of translators who they’re considering hiring. If you’ve put something in your CV that can’t be verified, then it’s highly unlikely that your application would be considered.

Other Important Information for Your CV

When applying to a translation agency, be sure to mention any industry-specific software and tools you have experience with, in addition to any professional institutions or organizations you may belong to. All this information helps the HR manager paint a clear picture of who you are and what your capabilities are. And, having this information means that you can be contacted regarding jobs that are suitable for you and your particular skill set. And, if you’re offering DTP services in addition to your translation skills, make sure this is clearly mentioned in your CV. Any other skills or services you offer regarding translation should be mentioned in your CV.

The Translation Industry Is a Competitive Industry

The translation industry is a relatively small one but it’s also a highly competitive one. Basically, do your research on a translation agency prior to making initial contact and it will certainly pay off; perhaps not immediately because there may not be any work available at the time, so just be patient. Your application must stand out above the rest, and by following these simple steps you should have no problem whatsoever in achieving your translation goals.

Advice for Translators When Approaching Translation Agencies – PART - I

Translators looking for work and hoping to join translation teams are going to approach translation agencies in many different ways. Agencies receive many professional, well-written applications; however, they also receive many applications that don’t meet their high standards. Obviously, it’s the professional applications that receive the most attention. It’s extremely unfortunate that applications are submitted to translation agencies that are sub-standard because the application doesn’t necessarily correspond with the talents of the translator concerned. The translator could well be professional and highly talented at their job, but because agencies receive so many applications they just don’t have time to contact each applicant; meaning that the poorly presented applications have very little chance of attracting the attention of the HR Manager of a translation agency.

So let’s take a closer look at what translation agencies are looking for from their applicants –

Do Your Research on the Translation Agency

It’s not good enough to simply send out a heap of emails to translation agencies and expect to be treated as a professional. Each application should be treated individually, and each application requires that you do some research into the agency you’re applying to. The small amount of time it will take for you to complete this research will greatly improve your success rate.

Generally, online translation agencies are very clear that they prefer to be contacted for job opportunities by either completing their online application form or directly emailing their HR Department. But, because many applicants don’t do any research whatsoever before applying for translation positions, agencies receive numerous generic emails directed to their accounts’ email address. There is always a slight chance that these applications will be looked at, but they certainly won’t receive the same attention as someone who did their research on the agency to determine what guidelines they should follow. So, prior to making initial contact, visit the agency’s social media profiles or their website to gather as much information as possible.

Translation Agencies Receive Many Applications!

Because agencies receive so many applications from translators, it’s always helpful to the agency when other relevant information, beyond languages, are mentioned in the application. Consider your application as your only opportunity of informing your potential employer of your capabilities, your expertise, and your past achievements; because it’s simply impossible for agencies to contact every person who applies to them for translation work. When you provide all relevant information it not only increases your chances of being contacted by the agency, it also allows the agencies to keep their databases updated. Then, if a project should arise that slips nicely within your niche of expertise, you have a much better chance of achieving success.