Starting out: Finding job with no accreditation Thread poster: Victor Nemtsev
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Victor Nemtsev
Russian Federation
Local time: 19:29
Russian to English
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Greetings!
I've seen couple of topics on this matter already but they usually tend to go into details and specifics, so I've decided to ask for advice on my own.
Few words about me,
I am 22, native Russian speaker, been taught English privately by a certified translator since I was around 12 for about 5 years, give or take. Now I've had quite the experience with english speaking part of net for 8(?) years, had few people ask me to do translations on various topics, literature,... See more Greetings!
I've seen couple of topics on this matter already but they usually tend to go into details and specifics, so I've decided to ask for advice on my own.
Few words about me,
I am 22, native Russian speaker, been taught English privately by a certified translator since I was around 12 for about 5 years, give or take. Now I've had quite the experience with english speaking part of net for 8(?) years, had few people ask me to do translations on various topics, literature, technical documentation, game manuals, economic papers.
There's only one problem, I can't for the life of me find job in this field.
I don't have any degree or fancy paper to state that I have sufficient skill in the field. My active search for job in Russia was usually mocked without giving me a chance to prove my worth in any way. And with job on proz, I never got any kind of reply.
I got one fancy idea of looking up certified translator and working for him at first, I suppose that is doable.
Can't think of anything else to add as of yet, but I'd be grateful if someone would give me few words of advice on how to start on my own, or if there's other options open for me. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Lázaro Borges 
Brazil
Local time: 13:29
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| Same place as you. | Apr 17, 2015 |
Hey Victor, I'm also starting freelancer in the same way you are. Great knowledge of both languages, but no specific degree in translation (but I have a degree in Journalism, which has been helpful in some specific jobs).
If you become a Proz Paying member, you will be able to have access to the Proz Mentoring Program, which is kind of an internship, but in the freelancer style (you mentor could be in your city our thousand of miles away).
A Proz Membership is stro... See more Hey Victor, I'm also starting freelancer in the same way you are. Great knowledge of both languages, but no specific degree in translation (but I have a degree in Journalism, which has been helpful in some specific jobs).
If you become a Proz Paying member, you will be able to have access to the Proz Mentoring Program, which is kind of an internship, but in the freelancer style (you mentor could be in your city our thousand of miles away).
A Proz Membership is strongly recommended to have access to uncountable resources.
I wish you the best and a great amount of luck for your new shop.
Yours,
L; ▲ Collapse
| | | | Lázaro Borges
Brazil
Local time: 13:29
English to Portuguese
+ ...
By the way, the Proz Membership includes an option of become a Proz Certified Network member, which is the closer that anyone with no degree or access to any high-level association can have.
Also take a look in some of the materials tagged as "Marketing for translators", as well the free training session of Maria Koptinisky "Meeting Clients at Proz" (or something like that).
| | | | Lázaro Borges
Brazil
Local time: 13:29
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| The last one | Apr 17, 2015 |
One more thing, try some translation mills like One Hour Translations and Gengo, to broad your experience.
Join the Amara project to subtitle TED Talks.
Become a Medium translator.
https://medium.com/the-story/translate-medium-359ebb19d738
Those two last you help you build a strong portfolio.
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Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 17:29
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
| Hello Victor | Apr 18, 2015 |
You say you've seen some discussions on this theme here on ProZ.com. Well, I think a lot of those points do apply to you, so forgive me if you've heard this before .
I think your main job is that you aren't being anything like pro-active enough. You say you can't "find job". I take that to mean that you write to potential clients but they don't ask you to translate for them. I think you need to stop looking for a job; ... See more You say you've seen some discussions on this theme here on ProZ.com. Well, I think a lot of those points do apply to you, so forgive me if you've heard this before.
I think your main job is that you aren't being anything like pro-active enough. You say you can't "find job". I take that to mean that you write to potential clients but they don't ask you to translate for them. I think you need to stop looking for a job; and start setting up a business. Think of any startup you know about and you'll fnd [b]investment[\b]. Our profession doesn't call for much financial investment but it's essential to invest your time and your energy.
Why should potential clients choose you? I don't know about elsewhere but you don't seem to have put any effort into getting clients on this site. Your profile is almost blank. And the very first thing we see about you is that you mainly see yourself as a translator into English, when it's clear that your English is far from perfect. I suspect there is justification in your pair for offering the service, but your main offer should be your USP, and that certainly can't be it.
Follow the advice given here and in other threads and I'm sure you'll have more success.
Good luck! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:29
Member (2008)
Italian to English
| Russian to English | Apr 18, 2015 |
Hi Victor
Your English is not good, so you should delete Russian to English from the language pairs you offer. Your clients would quickly realise that in Russian to English, they can't use you, and this would then have a deleterious effect on your English to Russian language pair and your professional reputation in general.
As for accreditation, in my experience what matters is not paper qualifications but demonstrable, proven expertise in your language pair. I have no... See more Hi Victor
Your English is not good, so you should delete Russian to English from the language pairs you offer. Your clients would quickly realise that in Russian to English, they can't use you, and this would then have a deleterious effect on your English to Russian language pair and your professional reputation in general.
As for accreditation, in my experience what matters is not paper qualifications but demonstrable, proven expertise in your language pair. I have no paper qualifications nor any accreditation. My academic qualifications are in the specialised field in which I translate: architecture, urbanism, construction, design, etc.
So my advice would be to specialise in just one field (and related fields). That's the best way to get work, and to build up a client portfolio over time. Going for paper qualifications could take years and cost a lot of money, without necessarily generating the work you seek. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | What is a "fancy paper"? | Apr 18, 2015 |
Victor Nemtsev wrote:
I don't have any degree or fancy paper to state that I have sufficient skill in the field.
I am just curious here: what do you mean by "fancy paper"?
| | | | Lázaro Borges
Brazil
Local time: 13:29
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| synthesis of everything on setting your own shop | Apr 18, 2015 |
The wise Sheila resumed everything. I spend almost two months just setting shop before I got my first gig.
Sheila Wilson wrote: You say you've seen some discussions on this theme here on ProZ.com. Well, I think a lot of those points do apply to you, so forgive me if you've heard this before . I think your main job is that you aren't being anything like pro-active enough. You say you can't "find job". I take that to mean that you write to potential clients but they don't ask you to translate for them. I think you need to stop looking for a job; and start setting up a business. Think of any startup you know about and you'll fnd [b]investment[\b]. Our profession doesn't call for much financial investment but it's essential to invest your time and your energy. Why should potential clients choose you? I don't know about elsewhere but you don't seem to have put any effort into getting clients on this site. Your profile is almost blank. And the very first thing we see about you is that you mainly see yourself as a translator into English, when it's clear that your English is far from perfect. I suspect there is justification in your pair for offering the service, but your main offer should be your USP, and that certainly can't be it. Follow the advice given here and in other threads and I'm sure you'll have more success. Good luck!
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| College or university degree | Apr 18, 2015 |
Tomás Cano Binder, CT wrote:
I am just curious here: what do you mean by "fancy paper"?
... of any kind.
Obviously, anyone with a smattering of English can do translations.
Good luck!
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:29
Member (2008)
Italian to English
Sandra& Kenneth wrote: Obviously, anyone with a smattering of English can do translations. Good luck!
This comment is surely intended to be ironic.
Anyone who knows what a smattering is is probably quite good at English.
[Edited at 2015-04-18 14:51 GMT]
| | | | | Given the Asker's "far from perfect" language abilities | Apr 18, 2015 |
This comment is surely intended to be ironic.
Anyone who knows what a smattering is is probably quite good at English.
... and his obvious disdain for "fancy papers" - aka "diplomas" - my meaning was quite obvious.
[Edited at 2015-04-18 15:02 GMT]
| | | | Victor Nemtsev
Russian Federation
Local time: 19:29
Russian to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | Yay, feedback | Apr 20, 2015 |
Thank you, Lazaro, that's a lot of useful information!
Thank you, Sheila!
I had bad luck finding anything translation related here in StPB, ended up with job which helped me at least survive here. Now I'm back on my feet and actually have time to do something I want. I understand that I might've not been proactive enough, but as they say, knowing is not enough.
Hey, Tom!
Could you elabora... See more Thank you, Lazaro, that's a lot of useful information!
Thank you, Sheila!
I had bad luck finding anything translation related here in StPB, ended up with job which helped me at least survive here. Now I'm back on my feet and actually have time to do something I want. I understand that I might've not been proactive enough, but as they say, knowing is not enough.
Hey, Tom!
Could you elaborate on why my english skills are sub par? I'd rather hear full story from you than play the guessing game. :]
And speaking of demonstrable, proven expertise you mention. Unfortunately in every place I've applied for the job, they left no chance for me to show my skill. That's when they wouldn't outright mock me.
I did mention my disdain of diplomas on purpose. I know I'm young, however I don't see the point of hiding it, and I have my reason for loathing, unfortunately.
Again, thank you all for your feedback and advices given! I do appreciate them. Hope they will be helpful in my ventures. ▲ Collapse
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Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:29
Member (2008)
Italian to English
| Too many examples to mention them all but here are a few... | Apr 20, 2015 |
Victor Nemtsev wrote:
.... anything translation related ....ended up with job.... do something I want.... I'd rather hear full story from you than play the guessing game...... in every place I've applied for the job....they left no chance...... they wouldn't outright mock me.....I know I'm young, however.... I have my reason for loathing....... advices given
+ a general over-enthusiasm to be idiomatic at all costs.
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