Almost everyone encounters a standard vicious circle when entering the profession: a potential employer requires a portfolio, and in order to earn it, you need to get a job. How do you break this cycle? There are 7 standard tricks and recommendations, let’s go in order.
Choose a language and make every effort to learn it.
Most of our readers have already made a choice of language, but you can not stop there and do another one. There are two options in choosing a language. On the one hand, the translator of common languages has more job offers, but also the competition is stronger. The alternative is a rare language. There are fewer job offers, but the competition is not as fierce. That’s why it’s worth researching the job market in the translation field.
If you’re interested in working in an international field like diplomacy, it makes sense to choose one of the UN’s international languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish.
Once the choice is made, the decision should be implemented and learn the language at the highest level.
Master the art of translation
Even mastering a language at a native speaker level doesn’t mean you’re a translator. You need special training to see and convey meanings. Specialized associations and unions, which vary from country to country and from language to language, can help you with this. Interacting with them is also the first step into the “brotherhood” of translators. You can take part in the contests of various “unions of translators” starting from school.
Get a certificate
The next step is certification. Documents confirming your skills as an interpreter – not a bad decoration of the resume. A certificate in the specialty in which you have volunteered to translate can also be helpful. For example, a law degree or a medical degree will clearly indicate that you know the industry in which you are translating.
Choose a translation field and learn the terminology
Specializing in a profession increases your chances of selling your skills in the job market. There are many courses, online resources, and academic publications to help you learn the nuances.
Become familiar with the computer
Knowing the “hotkeys” and internet search skills are a must. Another such point is CAT-systems, computer aided translation. Applications are not easy, but extremely useful. A working tool that will save time and bring money.
Gain experience
About the main thing: how to gain experience without getting a job. The right move: freelancing. The first fees on the translation exchanges and other sites require according to experience, which is still at a minimum. Another option is to go to online tutors for internships. The voicing of podcasts, transcribing video in the language – all goes to offset, although not paid as you would like. Not a bad option – orders from friends.
Learn Languages
When your career as an interpreter moves up and forward, it’s worth thinking about a third language, and maybe a fourth, fifth. The more language pairs on your resume, the better your chance of getting a decent order or finding a permanent job.
Conclusions. Each of the above points in itself is quite voluminous and time-consuming. And there are seven of them, and in the process of mastering them you can add your own, gained by the hump. Let’s not relax!
English
French
Portuguese
Spanish