how to work efficiently with an agency: freelancing tips for...

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The ATA Chronicle July 2008 16 As everyone in this industry knows, both translation and inter- preting refer to the rendering of meaning from one language into another, the main difference being that translation is written and inter- preting is spoken. As a newcomer, you may wonder how the actual practice of translation and interpreting differ from each other, whether they are compatible, or which of the disci- plines might be right for you. As a freelance translator and interpreter turned small company owner, I have faced these questions. On April 12, 2008, my company held its first “Introduction to Interpreting Skills Seminar” in collab- oration with the Hispanic Institute at La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The seminar was designed for individuals fluent in both English and Spanish with an interest in becoming professional interpreters. Participants included professional translators wanting to expand their service portfolios, professional inter- preters wishing to test their abilities in other interpreting modalities, individ- By Cristina Jaouen Whatever the work setting, you need to remain professional and courteous. How to Work Efficiently with an Agency: Freelancing Tips for Newcomers

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Page 1: How to Work Efficiently with an Agency: Freelancing Tips for …atanet.org/chronicle/3707_16_jaouen.pdf · freelance translator and interpreter turned small company owner, I have

The ATA Chronicle � July 200816

As everyone in this industryknows, both translation and inter-preting refer to the rendering ofmeaning from one language intoanother, the main difference beingthat translation is written and inter-preting is spoken. As a newcomer, youmay wonder how the actual practiceof translation and interpreting differfrom each other, whether they arecompatible, or which of the disci-plines might be right for you. As afreelance translator and interpreterturned small company owner, I havefaced these questions.

On April 12, 2008, my companyheld its first “Introduction toInterpreting Skills Seminar” in collab-oration with the Hispanic Institute atLa Salle University in Philadelphia,Pennsylvania. The seminar wasdesigned for individuals fluent in both

English and Spanish with an interestin becoming professional interpreters.Participants included professionaltranslators wanting to expand theirservice portfolios, professional inter-preters wishing to test their abilities inother interpreting modalities, individ-

By Cristina Jaouen

Whatever the work setting, you need to remainprofessional and courteous.

How to Work Efficiently with an Agency:Freelancing Tips for Newcomers

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17The ATA Chronicle � July 2008

uals with experience interpreting in anon-professional setting with aninterest in learning how to become aprofessional interpreter, and thosewith a general interest in the inter-preting profession.

The main goal of the seminar was

to help participants find out how theywould fit into the professional inter-preting world. The interactive pro-gram gave attendees the chance to testtheir natural language skills and learnabout the different interpreting modes(consecutive, simultaneous, etc.),types (court, medical, escort, etc.),and techniques. In addition, the eth-ical, human, and confidentiality issuessurrounding the profession werereviewed.

As organizers of the seminar, itwas important for us to have partici-pants leave the event with a basicunderstanding of the interpretingprofession and how translation andinterpreting are two complementarybut different professions. My presen-tation, entitled “Free lancing andAgency Guidelines for Interpreters,”reviewed some basic professionaltips that could benefit both freelancetranslators and interpreters. I thenoffered some advice specificallygeared toward aspiring interpreters.This article summarizes the mainpoints of that presentation.

Working as a FreelanceTranslator/Interpreter

Although translators and inter-preters do share a passion for lan-guages, the training, the techniques,and the actual work differ consider-ably. If you are considering entering

the translation or interpreting fields,or perhaps expanding your serviceportfolio, there are a few basic issuesto keep in mind.

Working PaceAs a freelance translator, you work

at your own pace. Different people aremore productive at different times ofthe day. Some people like to have setworking hours while others preferbreaking their workday into severalshorter periods. As a freelancer trans-lator, you usually have a lot of freedomin the way you organize your day.

As a freelance interpreter, you workat the client’s pace. You may choose toaccept or decline an assignment, butonce you accept, it is the client whodictates the working hours. Whetherworking in a hospital as a medicalinterpreter, in the courtroom as a courtinterpreter, or as an escort interpreterfor a corporate client, you will need toschedule around the client’s needs.Another thing to keep in mind is that,although assignments have a set starttime, you are never completely sure ofwhen they will end. You may be hiredfor a two-hour meeting that ends up

lasting five hours. This may become aproblem if you have accepted anotherassignment for the same day or haveanother commitment.

Working EnvironmentAs a freelance translator, you tend to

have more physical control over theworking environment. You might havethe option of working from a homeoffice or another location of yourchoice, usually on your own computer,which is generally equipped with theprograms that you find most useful. Youwill most likely have easy access toresources such as dictionaries and otherreference materials, whether physical oronline. If you stumble upon a particu-larly complex translation problem, youcan discuss this with a colleague orsubmit your query to one of the manyreliable online professional forums,such as www.translatorscafe.com orwww.proz.com.

As a freelance interpreter, thingsmay not be so easy to control. Even ifyou specialize in telephone inter-preting, which might also give you theability to work from home, inter-preters need to be ready for the unex-pected. You may work at differentlocations, even different cities, on aregular basis. You will most likelyspend a lot of time traveling to andfrom the assignment location, so youneed to allow for unexpected traffic orweather conditions (getting a reliableGPS navigator may be a sound invest-ment). If you require equipment toperform your job (e.g., a microphone,interpreting booth, etc.), keep in mindthat technical difficulties can arise atany time. You will need to adapt toany situations quickly in order to per-form at your best at all times. Finally,the live nature of interpreting impliesa certain degree of uncertainty, whichmakes it stressful and exciting at thesame time. Even if you are lucky �

The live nature of interpreting implies a certain degree of uncertainty, which makes it stressful

and exciting at the same time.

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The ATA Chronicle � July 200818

enough to be provided with a writtencopy of a speech, the speaker maydecide to improvise or add some last-minute changes. As a freelance inter-preter, you can only prepare as best asyou can before the assignment, andthen rely on your skills. Formaltraining and lots of practice will defi-nitely help you feel more confidentand perform better.

Interacting with PeopleAs a freelance translator, most of

your interaction with clients and col-leagues will probably be virtual (tele-phone, e-mail, online chat), whichmay cause a sense of isolation. Thereare still plenty of opportunities to con-nect with colleagues and to network(e.g., professional developmentevents, social gatherings, ATA AnnualConferences), but you need to con-sider whether you feel comfortableworking alone or if you need liveinteraction with people as part of yourdaily routine.

As a freelance interpreter, you needto develop your people skills, as youwill be working side-by-side with verydifferent people on a daily basis,whether it be your client, the client’sclient, a fellow interpreter, or a civilservant. You may have to work withpeople who are sick or interpret in sit-uations with a strong emotional com-ponent. Whatever the setting, you needto remain professional and courteous.Last but not least, physical appearanceis important, as interpreters cannotafford to draw attention because ofinappropriate attire or poor personalhygiene.

It seems clear that translation orinterpreting appeals to differentpeople. Most professionals end up spe-cializing in one discipline or the other,whichever suits their personality andlifestyle best. However, there areadvantages to combining both profes-

sions. First, the job becomes a lot morevaried. For translators, interpretingmay help them connect with other pro-fessionals and fight feelings of isola-tion. For interpreters, it may be nice tohave the option of working from homefrom time to time. Also, combining

both translation and interpreting is agreat way of reusing existing knowl-edge and/or gaining new expertise.Finally, expanding your service port-folio will most likely increase yourclient base, which usually translatesinto a steadier flow of income.

Being Your Own BossSomething that should be carefully

considered before jumping intobecoming a freelance translator orinterpreter is that a freelancer is anindependent contractor, meaning thatyou are responsible for your income,health insurance, retirement plan, andself-employment taxes, among otherthings. Although it is not required, as afreelancer you will probably beadvised to invest in some professionalliability insurance in case things getugly. It is great to be your own boss,but some people are just not made forit, so be honest with yourself beforetaking the plunge.

Entering the ProfessionThe most obvious way to enter the

profession is by pursuing a transla-tion/interpreting degree. You can find

information about some of the institu-tions offering translation and inter-preting courses in the U.S. in theCareers section of ATA’s website(www.atanet.org/careers/T_I_programs.php). Getting certified is also animportant step, as it shows professional

commitment and language- or subject-specific proficiency, and it may beespecially relevant if you do not havean academic background in translationand interpreting. ATA offers certifica-tion for translation proficiency to andfrom over a dozen languages. For med-ical interpreters, various resources areavailable, such as membership in theInternational Medical InterpretersAssociation, as well as training pro-grams through various colleges, uni-versities, and organizations (e.g., CrossCultural Health Care Program’s“Bridging the Gap” course). Severalstates have passed bills requiring thatcourt interpreters pass a state-approvedcertification test before they are allowedto work in the courtroom. Those inter-ested in becoming federally certifiedcan pursue the certification adminis-tered by the Federal Court InterpreterCertification Examin ation program(www.ncsconline.org/d_research/Consort-interp/fcice_exam/index.htm).In addition, an excellent source of infor-mation for all things judicial is theNational Association of Judiciary Inter -preters and Translators (www.najit.org).

How to Work Efficiently with an Agency: Freelancing Tips for Newcomers Continued

Combining both translation and interpreting is a great way of reusing existing knowledge

and/or gaining new expertise.

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19The ATA Chronicle � July 2008

Joining associations and attendingprofessional development events aregreat ways to enter the profession, con-nect with other professionals, andmaybe even get some job referrals. Italso shows that you are serious aboutthe profession and that you are willingto invest time and resources in devel-oping your skills as a freelance trans-lator or interpreter. When contacting anagency to offer your services, be sure tolist your certifications as well as mem-berships in local or national profes-sional associations.

Working Efficiently with an AgencyThe first step in working efficiently

with an agency is to keep your résumécurrent and follow the agency’s applica-tion procedures. As a freelancer, youwill be dealing mostly with busy project

managers who rely on the company’sfreelance database to match your profilewith the project at hand. The easier it isfor the project manager to determinewhether your profile meets the projectrequirements in terms of expertise andbudget, the higher your chances of get-ting the job. Therefore, it is essentialthat your résumé clearly highlight yourareas of expertise by including relevanteducation and certifications as well asconcrete experience.

Tailor Résumé Content to the Position

If you are seeking interpreting jobs,give priority to the information sup-porting your actual experience as aninterpreter. If relevant, you may men-tion that you also have experience intranslation or in any other field. If youhave enough experience, you maywant to create two different résumés,one for translation and one for inter-preting. Do not forget to include

Expanding your service portfolio will most likely increase your client base, which usually

translates into a steadier flow of income.

For more informationATA Job Bankwww.atanet.org/jb

ATA Career Link www.atanet.org/careers/T_I_programs.php

ATA Certification for Translatorswww.atanet.org/certification/index.php

Cross Cultural Health Care Program “Bridging the Gap”www.xculture.org

International Medical Interpreters Associationwww.imiaweb.org

Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination Programwww.ncsconline.org/d_research/Consort-interp/fcice_exam/index.htm

National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translatorswww.najit.org

ProZ.comwww.proz.com

Translators Caféwww.translatorscafe.com

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The ATA Chronicle � July 200820

your rates and general availability.Interpreters should also indicatewhether they are willing to travellocally or nationally. Needless to say,your contact information should becomplete and up to date.

Follow Application ProceduresAs for following the agency’s

application procedures, spending a

little time doing some research aboutthe company usually goes a long way.If you specialize in the English�Spanish combination, do not wasteyour time, or the company’s, by sub-mitting your application to aRussian�German agency. Mass e-mails do not look good in the eyes ofthe agency, either, so try to avoidsending your résumé to an endless listof e-mail addresses. (If you stillchoose to use this method, at least besure to use the “blind carbon copy”(BCC) option in your e-mail programso that the agency does not have toscroll through a long list of recipientsin the message header.) You may alsowant to check out the agency’s reputa-tion before submitting your applica-tion. Your more experienced peers canprobably provide advice on thoseagencies that should definitely beavoided, but there are other resourcesavailable, such as the Better BusinessBureau (www.bbb.org) or the BlueBoard listing found in the privately-

owned website ProZ.com (www.proz.com/blueboard).

Be a Professional Before, During,and After the Assignment

Translators and interpreters shouldalways strive for the highest degree ofprofessionalism. The following tipsare for aspiring interpreters, althoughfreelance translators can also benefit

from most of them. Following thesetips when working with an agencywill help you look more professionaland will make your job, and theagency’s, easier and more productive.

Before the assignment:• Be easy to reach. Keep your con-

tact details current and profes-sional. Funny e-mail addresses orvoicemail messages may not bethat funny when you are trying toget a job.

• Reply promptly to availabilityrequests. It is a sign of profession-alism. You may consider getting aBlackBerry or similar device so thatyou can check e-mails on the go.

• Review the project specificationsbefore accepting the job. Doublecheck the address, the date, and thetime of the assignment, and clearup any questions with the projectmanager before accepting the job.

• Ask the project manager about thecompany’s payment terms andinvoicing procedures beforeaccepting the assignment, and geteverything in writing. Make sureyou follow instructions to the letter.

• Do not accept jobs for which you donot feel qualified. It will hurt yourcredibility and that of the profession.

During the assignment:• Dress appropriately. Invest in a

couple of professional-looking suits.When in doubt, ask the project man-ager about the most appropriateattire for the specific assignment.

• Be on time, or better yet, get therea bit early. It will help you becomefamiliar with the setting and theparticipants. When planning yourtrip to the location, keep in mindunexpected traffic or weather con-ditions. If you are going to be late,call the agency (and your onsitecontact person, if any) to let themknow as soon as possible.

• Introduce yourself as the inter-preter and make the scope of yourjob clear. If you are working for anagency, you may hand out theagency’s business cards, as it is notappropriate to hand out your own.

• Turn off your cellphone and letvoicemail do its job.

• Remain neutral. You are not there toprovide advice or express youropinion, but to allow effective com-munication. If for some reason youcannot remain neutral, it is best thatyou decline the assignment.

• Call the agency immediately if anyproblems arise.

How to Work Efficiently with an Agency: Freelancing Tips for Newcomers Continued

If you have enough experience, you may want tocreate two different résumés, one for translation

and one for interpreting.

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21The ATA Chronicle � July 2008

After the assignment:• Confirm that the assignment went

well. A short call or e-mail to yourproject manager will suffice. Makesure to mention things such as achange of location or a differentstarting time.

• Submit your invoice promptly.Again, just like you did beforeaccepting the assignment, confirmthe company’s payment terms andinvoicing procedures with theproject manager, and follow them.Maintaining a project/invoicefiling system is an advisable busi-ness practice.

• Keep your contact details currentso that the checks will make it tothe right address. Remember, latepayments should be handled in acourteous but firm manner.

Still More to LearnThere is always more to learn. For

more information, please check out thewebsites listed in the box on page 19.

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How to Succeed as a Freelance TranslatorThe road to a successful translation business is often much harder than it has to be. In thisguide to setting up shop, freelancer Corinne McKay offers lessons learned and shows youhow to avoid the most common mistakes—from finding clients to collecting payment.This how-to is great for translators and interpreters just entering the field as well as for oldhands who want to make their businesses run better.

How to Succeed as a Freelance Translator (members $20, nonmembers $30) is availablefrom ATA’s website. Look for the online order form at www.atanet.org/publications or call+01-703-683-6100.

By Corinne McKay

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