I begin work online Surf the net with

I begin work online Surf the net with key words: translation, translator

I find a site for translators n n n I post my résumé there I study the jobs on offer I study the schedule of rates for my pair I study the articles on offer I read through the forums And then I make my move…

I find a site… n n n n http: //www. proz. com/ http: //www. translatorscafe. com www. traduguide. com www. gotranslators. com http: //www. getafreelancer. com www. translatorsbase. com http: //www. translatorplanet. com The many yahoo groups…

Re: résumé n n Many agencies have special pages on which you can apply for work with them. A careful study of a few select ones helps a lot to design your CV Let us look at one such: the personal part as well as the professional specifics.

Translator's recruitment form Personal Details :

Translator's recruitment form Professional Aspects :

I study the jobs on offer

Does it fit?

That was simple but…

I send out my CV, apply for jobs n n First I hone my CV by studying those of others - note the word “study” Next I select the agencies on offer on the site and send them my CV Then I apply for some of the jobs posted - if they are within my capacity Steps 1 and 2 already teach me a lot about what is required of me.

Study Some CVs!

Select an agency n n n http: //www. cantalk. com/employ. htm or Send my CV through a site

Send CV through Site

Apply for a job

Cover Letter n n Courteous Make the Client feel good Sell yourself without being too loud Make sure that you will deliver what you promise

A Sample

The requirements n n Number of words- 2879 Do your specializations match the job specifications? Business Have you got the required 2 years experience? Is the rate okay by you- can you do it for less? ! Don't sell yourself short- it might backfire on you.

Sample Cover Letter n n n Dear Mirka/Hi I normally do 2000 words/day so I can comfortably handle your translation and hand it over to you long before the 13 th. Your offer of … is more than satisfactory and I would, in fact, do it for a little less. What is more I specialise in the translation of business documents as you will see in my CV. Looking forwards to hearing from you, Best regards,

I got me a job, mama! n n n If you are lucky, sooner than later, someone approaches you. That’s when you discover that much else is needed! Don’t be sad if it is later- use that time to hone your skills- Quality is an ever receding horizon. There is never a day when you can say I know it all. If you do, you are an ass!

Someone approaches you. n n n Let’s say Mirka takes you up on your offer. What do you do now? A lot of things! And don’t rest till you give it your best not to mention your all

Research n n n Each new translation, even if it is in a similar field, is a totally new learning experience Immerse yourself in it Store the information you gather in the process and file it well

The Works! n n Remember most translation jobs are rush jobs You will be working at break neck speed And if you don’t watch out you will break your neck. A “Rush Job” is one for which you should be paid extra.

Post Partum Blues! n n When it is all over, in spite of the power cuts, the whimsical internet connections and every other thing that can go wrong going wrong for all the precautions you can possibly take, you ought to rest. But you will be so hyped up you’ll feel at a loose end and be panting for the second round.

What I found out n n I needed a good UPS for all our wonderful power cuts I needed a good Internet connection or 2 or 3! I needed guts of steel and the stamina of a race horse! What I didn’t need was to make excuses or promises I couldn’t keep!

What kept me going n n Learning something new with each job Friendships from around the world The sheer joy of the rush of adrenalin will I make it or won’t I? The wonderful payments when they arrive!

Friendships without Borders n n A translator is a lone wolf Nobody understands why you slog, what drives you Your companionship is often not near at home but out there with strangers on a forum When you are tired you can have an intellectual coffee online to perk up your morale!

Learning something new n n n Each job has its glossary Its style Its human element Its rewards which go beyond the monetary aspect If you take it in this spirit you will earn more as each day passes and learn to say no

Will I make it or won’t I? n n n Translation is a dangerous game Don’t take it up if you don’t have the guts Douglas Addams: I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by We are gamblers: will we do the work on time or not/ will we get paid or not? ! We work for the thrill of it!

The wonderful payments… when they arrive! n n In translation, each word is worth its weight in Gold! You can easily get enough for a month with 2 days of work if you are good at what you do BUUUUT! Maybe the money won’t arrive! So what to do?

Do as I did n n n Live and learn - each translator has burnt fingers Be persistent, yet polite It is easy to say take precautions more difficult when your bread and butter is online!

Take it in the right spirit! n n Work towards quality Don’t be lazy Don’t get lost in Translation Keep to a multistream life

Let Translation open many doors! n n n Don’t let it be your sole occupation or preoccupation Exercise regularly Eat healthy Be happy! Don’t worry! The sky won’t fall down on your head.

The right attitude n n n Be positive Take responsibility for your actions Work hard Enjoy your work Each day learn something new And that, dear would be translator, is where its at!