Having trouble finding work on ProZ Thread poster: James Haver
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Hello everyone,
I have been translating a small amount of documents for the last 2 years (I am a Computer Science graduate student). Up until now I have found most my work by directly contacting translation companies or through [...another site...] (non-paid account). I paid for a Pro account here on Proz in hopes of finding more work, but I have actually not acquired a single job here. I have a CV, made some sample translations, etc., but I guess I am still incapable of convincing a compa... See more Hello everyone,
I have been translating a small amount of documents for the last 2 years (I am a Computer Science graduate student). Up until now I have found most my work by directly contacting translation companies or through [...another site...] (non-paid account). I paid for a Pro account here on Proz in hopes of finding more work, but I have actually not acquired a single job here. I have a CV, made some sample translations, etc., but I guess I am still incapable of convincing a company to give me a job. Maybe if someone could take a look at my profile and give me some tips. Thank you! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Emma Goldsmith 
Spain
Local time: 11:16
Member (2004)
Spanish to English
| Finding work on Proz | Oct 20, 2010 |
Well, I'm afraid finding work is not as simple as becoming a paid member, although I would agree that this is an essential step to getting work through Proz.
If you have little experience and no translation qualification then it is going to be an uphill battle.
A few suggestions:
1. Change your Proz name. It does not sound as if there is a serious professional behind "El guapo". I would use your real name so that outsourcers will know who they are talking t... See more Well, I'm afraid finding work is not as simple as becoming a paid member, although I would agree that this is an essential step to getting work through Proz.
If you have little experience and no translation qualification then it is going to be an uphill battle.
A few suggestions:
1. Change your Proz name. It does not sound as if there is a serious professional behind "El guapo". I would use your real name so that outsourcers will know who they are talking to.
2. Change your photo. I think it's very important to have a photo on your profile, but outsourcers must be able to see it!
3. You can get higher up the rank (go to jobs&directory>my directory ranking) by earning Kudoz points by answering questions.
4. As you are studying Computer Science, then this should be what you should be emphasising in your profile. Make it clear that you are an expert in this field, not just a student or a computer user like the rest of us.
HTH
[Edited at 2010-10-20 07:53 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 10:16
Member (2007)
English
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| Read other threads | Oct 20, 2010 |
The main piece of advice I can give is to read all other similar threads very carefully. I personally have given advice before and so have many others.
I agree with all Emma said, but this is particularly pertinent, IMO:
Emma Goldsmith wrote:
As you are studying Computer Science, then this should be what you should be emphasising in your profile. Make it clear that you are an expert in this field, not just a student or a computer user like the rest of us.
I would add that you have put linguistics as your main specialisation but don't have anything to back up that choice. [Ah - found it on your CV]
BTW, the English in your samples seems impeccable to me - I can't comment on the translations but it does rather appear that you have confused Spanish and Chinese. Perhaps that's easy to do if you speak both
There are so many Chinese native speakers translating, with varying degrees of success, into English that perhaps you should push your native English and go for quality, with above-average rates. But don't take my word for it that that would work - it's just an idea. And it won't work straight away if you rely on jobs posted on ProZ. As has been said before, many posters use that as a last resort if their preferred choices are not available. Others are willing only to pay ridiculous rates that don't even deserve a reply.
Have you researched possibilities other than ProZ-type platforms? You are still as student - is there any possibility of a placement translating scientific text? Have you canvassed all the most interesting agencies? Have you contacted local companies in person?
Don't rely on ProZ, particularly in the early days - it's a great place but doesn't do everything for everybody.
Good luck.
Sheila
| | | | Williamson
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:16
Flemish to English
+ ...
| Freelance programmer. | Oct 20, 2010 |
elguapo_85 wrote:
Hello everyone,
I have been translating a small amount of documents for the last 2 years (I am a Computer Science graduate student). Up until now I have found most my work by directly contacting translation companies or through {... another site ...} (non-paid account). I paid for a Pro account here on Proz in hopes of finding more work, but I have actually not acquired a single job here. I have a CV, made some sample translations, etc., but I guess I am still incapable of convincing a company to give me a job. Maybe if someone could take a look at my profile and give me some tips. Thank you!
Instead of looking for translations, try to become a freelance programmer.
Pays better.
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Samuel Murray
Netherlands
Local time: 11:16
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
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| Agree with Emma, and... | Oct 20, 2010 |
Emma Goldsmith wrote:
1. Change your Proz name. It does not sound as if there is a serious professional behind "El guapo". I would use your real name so that outsourcers will know who they are talking to.
Or, use a trade name, like "Handsome Translation".
2. Change your photo. I think it's very important to have a photo on your profile, but outsourcers must be able to see it!
Agree. See the difference:
4. As you are studying Computer Science, then this should be what you should be emphasising in your profile. Make it clear that you are an expert in this field, not just a student or a computer user like the rest of us.
Yes and no. Your résumé looks like an academic résumé, and on your résumé you focus too much on your research experience and your education. You should have a separate résumé for your translation work, in which you focus on your translation skills.
| | | | | Deteriorating trends? | Oct 20, 2010 |
I observed my 3-latest year incomes and found that they decline gradually (smaller jobs from my old client, of course!). I start to think about ending my Internet based jobs through Proz pages. My assumption: progress and popularity in Internet makes smaller demands in translation---except for a few serious clients (common clients enjoy more and more with cheaper jobs even those being done as machine translation.)
Soonthon Lupkitaro
| | | | James Haver
Local time: 17:16
Chinese to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Hey, these are the kind of ideas I have been looking for. I just realized today when I posted that my photo was quite dark, and looking at other people's profile that my self introduction is quite weak. Thank you so much for all the responses. Once I get a chance to mess around with everything I will take your advice and improve my profile. Also, I do do some freelance programming. I am trying to build myself in both fields so if one day I want to be totally dependent on freelancing I have two ... See more Hey, these are the kind of ideas I have been looking for. I just realized today when I posted that my photo was quite dark, and looking at other people's profile that my self introduction is quite weak. Thank you so much for all the responses. Once I get a chance to mess around with everything I will take your advice and improve my profile. Also, I do do some freelance programming. I am trying to build myself in both fields so if one day I want to be totally dependent on freelancing I have two sources of work.
I have worked with one company in Taiwan and I did not enjoy it very much for two reasons: they often made the translators compete for jobs, so I had to do multiple, unpaid sample translations for a translation agency with whom I had already established a relationship with, and second, they asked me when they could call me, but completely ignored the schedule I provided them (so even when I was in class they would call ten times in a row). However, I will try to find a different local company. On the other hand, I have worked with two companies in Mainland China, over the internet, and I have not had any problems with them. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Emma Goldsmith
Spain
Local time: 11:16
Member (2004)
Spanish to English
Well done! You've got a name for yourself
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Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 10:16
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
| What is a freelancer? | Oct 20, 2010 |
James Haver wrote:
I have worked with one company in Taiwan and I did not enjoy it very much for two reasons: they often made the translators compete for jobs, so I had to do multiple, unpaid sample translations for a translation agency with whom I had already established a relationship with, and second, they asked me when they could call me, but completely ignored the schedule I provided them (so even when I was in class they would call ten times in a row).
These things do happen, of course. But, when you are a freelancer it's very, very important to remember what your role is:
You are an independent business person, a B2B service provider. As such, you don't have to let yourself be pushed around. You have every right to set your own terms and expect the agency to comply with them.
That's all very easy to say and not so easy to put into practice - not if you want to work, anyway! So, interpret it as you see fit. Personally, I think agencies by and large appreciate dealing with translators who see themselves in this light. It makes for a 100% professional relationship.
| | | | | Specialist programmer | Oct 20, 2010 |
I agree with Williamson (become a freelance programmer). You can make a lot of money if specialized
| | | | Toby Wakely
Spain
Local time: 11:16
Spanish to English
+ ...
| It takes time to start earning money | Nov 13, 2010 |
I did a translation course between March and June 2008 and signed up with PROZ.COM last year as a paying member. My course tutor told me to use my contacts. Unfortunately, this stategy didn´t work as nobody I knew needed anything translated and It wasn´t until September last year that I got my first ever paid job in translation through a posting on PROZ.COM. Then I suddenly started getting more work around June of this year through the same company and other sources. So, in the end, it has pai... See more I did a translation course between March and June 2008 and signed up with PROZ.COM last year as a paying member. My course tutor told me to use my contacts. Unfortunately, this stategy didn´t work as nobody I knew needed anything translated and It wasn´t until September last year that I got my first ever paid job in translation through a posting on PROZ.COM. Then I suddenly started getting more work around June of this year through the same company and other sources. So, in the end, it has paid off, but it is by no means easy to find work as a translator. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Same problem | Oct 11, 2018 |
Hello, i have had the same problem, I have not received any response to my applications or quotes, I do not know if my rates are good, or something is missing in my profile. I've only had a couple of months with proz, and I would not like to think it was a waste of money.
I am a psychologist, English-Spanish translator for 5 years, mainly scientific texts. I've been working with a particular company, but it's usually not enough work, so I've searched on many platforms.
Can somebody h... See more Hello, i have had the same problem, I have not received any response to my applications or quotes, I do not know if my rates are good, or something is missing in my profile. I've only had a couple of months with proz, and I would not like to think it was a waste of money.
I am a psychologist, English-Spanish translator for 5 years, mainly scientific texts. I've been working with a particular company, but it's usually not enough work, so I've searched on many platforms.
Can somebody help me? ▲ Collapse
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