I work as an Italian English
Translation Project Manager at the translations agency Axis
Translations.
Everyday my colleagues and I see large numbers
of inquiries from translators seeking work. I hope that some of my
observations will help you to be more successful.
1) Update and scan your computer for viruses
How many translators CV’s get
caught by an agencies firewall? I don’t know. It seems to happen in
waves. We will have a batch of translators emails in a few days and
then none for ages. But generally the email is deleted!
2) Put
your details in the subject section of the email
If you are applying for a project
posted on the web, put a reference to it in the subject box. The
reference number for instance. If you are applying generally, list
the languages in which you translate.
Why is this important?
Simply translation agencies get a stack of emails each day and you
want to be found. The translation project manager wants to be able to
pick out the inquiries for their project with ease.
For
general inquiries, you want your details to be saved in the right
place. If the agency can see your languages they can copy your mail
into the right languages section rather then putting you in the
dreaded ‘look at later pile’.
3) Don’t apply for
something you are not qualified for
We always look for translators to
translate into their mother tongue and write this in our adverts. But
we always get a load of CV’s from people who do not fit the bill.
For instance, I post a job for a Italian>English Translation and
get a CV from a Dutch native speaker who is fluent in neither
language.
4) Don’t forget to provide rates and the rest of
your ‘required’ information
When I am looking for a new
translator and I have a number of applications, my shortlist will not
include anyone who has missing information. I regularly see people
who have missed putting their rates on the application. If a
translation PM has other options, they probably won’t chase a
translator for further information.
5) Contact Info
I am not talking about address
here. I am thinking of mobile phones.
Once a job has been
confirmed, the translation PM will wish to have the assignment placed
with a translator ASAP. If they can’t find another number for you
they will be likely to move further down the list and call the next
translator.......your competition.
I hope my short list of tips for translation applications assist not only translators, but also translation PM’s!
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