Being a translator is a job that is more in demand than ever before. With an increasingly collaborative world and a marketplace that is growing more globalized every day, there is a huge need for translators to help a business go more smoothly. Likewise, there are plenty of nonbusiness reasons why a person might need a translator, ranging from legal and medical to personal and romantic. There are just so many jobs out there for translators!
Unfortunately, if you are a language professional, finding those jobs can feel like throwing darts in the dark. It is difficult to determine where they are and if you’ve landed on a solid method for locating them – and getting repeat business can be difficult, too. With so much available work out there for them, why do today’s German translators often struggle so much to find employment? Is freelancing really a viable option? Here are some answers to the most common question for language professionals – where and how do I find a job?
Social Media
The easiest, fastest, and least stressful way to market your skills as a translator may be to use social media platforms. In most cases, these are websites and interfaces you’re already familiar with and probably using regularly, anyway. That gives them a distinct advantage when it comes to marketing your skills – that, and the fact that they’re typically free for anyone to use!
You can pay for additional visibility on these platforms via paid advertisements, although these ads are not always targeted at the kind of people who need to see them. In most cases, social media should be used only as a supplement to your other listing platforms and not as a sole source of securing work.
Your Own, Dedicated Website
Something that adds an air of professionalism to your operation if you choose to work as a freelance translator is to own and operate your own website. This will give potential clients a place to visit you virtually and gain an understanding of your offerings and skills before actually sending an inquiry. A good website should include:
- Your basic information – Where you’re from, what languages you speak, perhaps a blurb about how you got into translating and how long you’ve spoken your second language(s)
- The languages you speak and what skills you offer
- The services you offer and pricing estimates or outlines for these services
- A portfolio of finished pieces or projects, where applicable
- Contact information and a link to message or email you with questions
By presenting all of this information up front, a potential client can browse it at their leisure and will have fewer questions and more comfortable moving forward with the hiring process. Oftentimes, though, a website alone is not enough advertisement to keep income steady, even when partnered with SEO efforts. For this, you may need some additional help getting your name out there.
General Purpose Marketplaces
In today’s world, there is a seemingly endless number of general marketplaces where people can advertise their skills in exchange for compensation. These range from truly open listing sites like Craigslist, to more curated sites that offer specific, categorized listings. However, they all have the same general purpose – giving people a chance to list the services they’re offering and increase their visibility to potential customers.
Traditional Online Agencies
For those who want a traditional working experience – or are uncomfortable with seeking out their own employment opportunities – working with a traditional online agency may be the best choice.
These companies typically receive assignments and then give them to one or more of their employees to translate. You typically cannot choose the content you translate, although some employers may offer you the opportunity to refuse assignments or to outline your content preferences upon being hired. These agencies may or may not pass along your information to the client. Ask about this upfront, especially if you are trying to build your individual portfolio.
Hybrid Online Agencies
Perhaps one of the best bets for modern freelancers is to work with a hybrid online agency. These platforms bring together freelance English to German translators who need to work with clients who are looking for their services. It’s a best-of-both-worlds approach that many language professionals really love – and which makes freelancing more feasible.
These websites will offer listings for each of the freelance professionals working with them, including brief descriptions of skills and services offered, along with contact information. This allows interested consumers to contact and work with you directly and gives you more freedom to accept and reject projects based on your own preferences. For many professionals, this is the best option – and yields the best results, when seeking out and finding employment.
