| If you want to become a professional translator it | | | | business experience, brief descriptions of how this |
| goes without saying that there are a number of | | | | business experience relates to you as a translator. |
| things that you must take into consideration | | | | Detail for the client the languages you are |
| before taking on the challenge of this exciting and | | | | proficient at translating your qualifications for the |
| very complex career. Your level of education | | | | translating of these languages and be specific |
| must be very high and a degree is essential | | | | about your source language or languages and |
| although it doesn't necessarily have to be in | | | | your fluency in them. Include in your presentation |
| languages. Some formal training in the translation | | | | a professional head and shoulders photograph of |
| industry would be a worthy requisite to have. You | | | | yourself. |
| must have comprehensive skills in your fist | | | | If you will be translating from your mother tongue |
| language and a flair for doing research and | | | | be sure this information is mentioned several |
| understanding various technical subjects relating to | | | | times throughout your document to your client is |
| the topic you are translating. | | | | clear about your target language it would be |
| In order to translate comfortably in a specific | | | | prudent to have a professional |
| language it helps if you are totally immersed in the | | | | résumé service proofread your |
| culture and understand all dialects and be familiar | | | | document and perhaps even someone with a |
| with its many customs. You should specialize in a | | | | corporate background to assist you with the fine |
| specific industry or field and it's best to have a | | | | tuning. Be sure to include how your clients can |
| thorough understanding of that industry example | | | | communicate with you i.e. by telephone (toll-free |
| of this would be working in human resources and | | | | number?) or e-mail. You are now ready to start |
| personnel in your country of origin and in doing | | | | generating business for your home-based |
| out bound translation services for corporate | | | | translation service. |
| human resources clients. Your translation style | | | | You can work as a freelance translator with |
| knowledge of terminology and understanding of | | | | many online translating companies and do this |
| the business will make you a valued at asset to | | | | remotely from your home-based business. When |
| any corporate client seeking this specialized talent. | | | | you just starting out can work as a part-time |
| You should have a fully equipped office, this would | | | | freelancer can keep your 9-to-5 job. Under the |
| include a computer system capable of handling | | | | right circumstances you can even work after |
| multiple applications, online dictionary, thesaurus, | | | | hours for translating services in their office as a |
| printer, research software, and other equipment | | | | freelancer. There are many online social networks |
| include fax machine, multiline telephone, voicemail | | | | specifically for translators; forums and message |
| or answering machine, dictation equipment or | | | | boards allowing you to network with others in the |
| dictation software is optional. These days many | | | | same field. |
| translators are using the computer aided | | | | Send your resume/ presentation/business profile, |
| translation tool or (CAT) and these Tools can be | | | | to employment services, personnel agencies and |
| quite expensive but well worth the investment. | | | | executive recruiters in as many places of |
| Tools such as Dejà vu and Trados are | | | | employment as possible. Try to target |
| used extensively but again their cost is high, so | | | | corporations that have a global market, |
| you could look at using a non industry-standard | | | | companies that hold an interest for you and are |
| such as WordFast, a viable alternative and it's | | | | representative of your previous experience. |
| free. | | | | Breaking into the translation field can be difficult |
| In order to present yourself to clients in a | | | | but if you have strong skills and a competent |
| professional manner you should have a well | | | | business background there are many companies |
| thought out and well formatted business service | | | | that will require your services. Above all be sure |
| résumé or CV. Your presentation | | | | to radiate professionalism and network |
| should describe your language training, education, | | | | aggressively. |