Episode 196: Creating Your Roadmap to Success in 2019 – Interview with Martina Eco
02/11/2019
From Translation Qualifications to Benefits – How to Communicate Customer Value
03/04/2019
I’ve often received questions about translation agencies, how to find the good ones, how to apply to them, and how to work with them. That is what I’m covering in this episode. In the search to find a steady stream of clients, sometimes working with a translation agency can be your best bet, at least at the beginning of your career.
Important things mentioned in this episode:
- What marketing material we need to find and apply to translation agencies
- What to include in your resume optimized for translation work
- What to include in a cover letter/email
- How to create a successful working relationship with translation agencies
Useful links related to this episode:
- Working with Translation Agencies – and Loving It
- Effective Emails to Translation Agencies
- 4 Checklists for Applying to Translation Agencies
Links to translation agency databases:
- American Translators Associations Directory
- Payment Practices
- Proz.com list of translation companies
Download a template for a translation CV/Resume and cover letter here:
Get a template for an optimized CV and cover letter to apply to translation agencies.
Take a few hours to research potential agencies. Try to get a list of 100 agencies that pass the criteria mentioned above. Contact them by their preferred method of contact. You can perhaps contact five a day, or five a week, depending on your schedule, and don’t forget to follow up if you do not hear from them.
Be realistic about the work you can or cannot produce, and be honest with your translation service provider. You will be respected for knowing both your capabilities and your limits.
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4 Comments
Hello Tess! Thank you so much for this podcast; even though I’m not a newbie translator, I’ve recently been trying to find new agencies to work with, so this was a very helpful refresher!
I have a question regarding follow-up emails: how would you recommend we go about following up with those agencies that use online application forms? They obviously do not want prospective translators to email them and usually they’ll only have an “info” or “quote” email address on their website anyway. Are these better left alone, or do you think we should email them anyway?
Hi Sara,
Yes that situation is trickier. If you find a vendor manager email somehow or on LinkedIn you could try to follow up. If it is an online application form I usually don’t follow up unless I get an email confirmation. Hope that helps.
It’s a good advice. I worked 5 years with translator companies and that was good experience
It’s a good advice. I worked 5 years with translator companies and that was good experience https://greitasvertimas.lt/