| Pages in topic: < [1 2 3] > | How to get that job? Thread poster: Paul Dixon
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Robert Forstag 
United States
Local time: 19:54
Spanish to English
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| Somber and sobering advice | Jan 14, 2022 |
Matthias Brombach wrote: Paul Dixon wrote:
Matthias, your suggestion about a book for the days of PEMT is good. Why don't you write one? I am already in the queue to buy a copy. Paul, what content would that book have except the lessons we are taught every day by our beloved outsourcers? What's your rate for post editing, submit your best price, do you accept payment 90 days after invoicing. That's all. I have opened another chapter in my book of life and so far I am (again!) successful with what I'm doing. I even get sick pay when I need to. I hope you will listen to the advice others already have given here and we will read from you soon and with your new address on your profile, but then based in the UK. I assume that life will be tough in Brazil when you can't make a living by your own skills. All the best wishes!
Unpleasant though it may be, I think it prudent to come to terms with the reality described by Matthias (and others here), and to evaluate one's real options accordingly.
Surely this is far better than holding out hope that reading a book or two; attending webinars offering tips and tricks; purchasing and upgrading expensive CAT programs; spending endless hours filling out applications to agencies; and maintaining an outlook of sunny optimism will somehow clear a viable path forward amid the encompassing gloom....
| | | | | Shortage of lorry drivers in the UK | Jan 14, 2022 |
See here:
https://uk.indeed.com/HGV-Driver-jobs?vjk=a23f1e4d03711f69
... and what jobs else you may find in the UK after Brexit. You need to survive, and you still may look for any qualified translation jobs then, but responsibility for yourself (and your family) comes first.
| | | | Mihai Badea (X)
Luxembourg
Local time: 01:54
English to Romanian
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Matthias Brombach wrote:
post editing
Why do you use post-editing? Do you think that is a good idea?
As I see it, it is some kind of rather unkind joke. It even has its own ISO standard. As far as I am concerned - not being a native speaker of English though -, post means after (like in postwar, postdoctoral etc.).
Post-editing, in all honesty, looks more like post:editing.
Not a funny joke, I admit.
On the other hand, there is no editing in the translation standard:
translation
revision (comparing source with target)
review (monolingual check by a specialist in the field)
Why they didn't call revision editing is beyond understanding for me. Perhaps because editing includes the idea of making changes, and we translators, when acting as editor/revisers, have a tendency to also make changes which are not strictly necessary. Could that be it?
***
Off-topic: I sent to ProZ.com a request for a quote because I want to write an article on the importance of specialization, but I still wait for an answer. Perhaps they are not interested.
| | | | Adieu
Ukrainian to English
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| Idk about that | Jan 14, 2022 |
With lazy shoppers for randos with limited regard for quality, I would expect the SECOND-LOWEST offer from a seemingly-respectable translator to win more often than not
Ways to seem more respectable:
*Age (mid-30's through 60's)
*Some kind of experience claimed
*Native speaker / "correct" ethnicity (name) + country of residence (OP's name and country cover both sides of his language pairs, so perfect)
*Education, translation or thematic or in source and/or ta... See more With lazy shoppers for randos with limited regard for quality, I would expect the SECOND-LOWEST offer from a seemingly-respectable translator to win more often than not
Ways to seem more respectable:
*Age (mid-30's through 60's)
*Some kind of experience claimed
*Native speaker / "correct" ethnicity (name) + country of residence (OP's name and country cover both sides of his language pairs, so perfect)
*Education, translation or thematic or in source and/or target language country
Enrique Bjarne Strand Ferrer wrote: Paul Dixon wrote:
I would like to know how to make sure I get jobs. The situation here in Brazil is extremely worrying. There is very little work, and people want discounts, or offer to pay over several months. And the occurrence of job cancellations has risen. Most cases seem to be due to price. In the meantime bills pile in. For example, Brazil's light bills are the highest in the world, despite above-average rainfall that has even caused tragedies in Minas Gerais and Bahia.
Is it time for a career change? Am I pricing myself out of the market?
Why doesn't ProZ run a special course in marketing and pricing skills? I have noticed that translation schools and universities cover many aspects such as CAT tools, corpus, ethics, quality issues etc but somehow completely overlook that essential aspect - pricing and marketing.
But what we really need is regulation of the profession. The crisis in Brazil is now so bad that people who lose their jobs in other areas and know a foreign language move into translation, flooding the market and bringing rates and quality down. If the market was regulated, this would be stopped. As we say here, 'tradução não é bico', which means that translation is not (or should not be) a side job. Like one person I heard say 'I want to do some translations to get money to be an au-pair in France'. That is not the right way to look at it. Translation is a professional job that needs years of training and research.
So how can I get that job?
Its a hard fact of the free market. You need to have the lowest price for a given quality to win the contest. So, you need either a lower price or to be able to convince the customer that you can deliver a superior quality at a relatively low price. The transparency of online bidding platforms is brutal. The alternative, old fashion networking results in better pricing, but is harder too achieve and requires a lot of non-paid effort. I know from my own experience, it is hard and takes time to build a decent portfolio of regular clients, but allways keep in mind, that is your goal. One time clients from the net will never pay your bills.
[Edited at 2022-01-14 17:39 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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Baran Keki
Türkiye
Local time: 02:54
Member
English to Turkish
| In the news last week | Jan 15, 2022 |
I heard that a Turkish doctor with 13 years of experience legged it to Switzerland to become a kebabman. It's strange that he didn't consider medical translation with all that first-hand clinical and academic knowledge & experience. Perhaps he didn't know a foreign language, but then he went to Switzerland...
That, of course, is a career option, but not a very good one. You can Google transl... See more I heard that a Turkish doctor with 13 years of experience legged it to Switzerland to become a kebabman. It's strange that he didn't consider medical translation with all that first-hand clinical and academic knowledge & experience. Perhaps he didn't know a foreign language, but then he went to Switzerland...
That, of course, is a career option, but not a very good one. You can Google translate the article if you like.
https://www.yenicaggazetesi.com.tr/turkiyede-istifa-eden-13-yillik-doktor-isvicrede-kebapcida-sogan-soymaya-basladi-498440h.htm ▲ Collapse
| | | | | That happens... | Jan 15, 2022 |
Baran Keki wrote:
I heard that a Turkish doctor with 13 years of experience legged it to Switzerland to become a kebabman. It's strange that he didn't consider medical translation with all that first-hand clinical and academic knowledge & experience. Perhaps he didn't know a foreign language, but then he went to Switzerland...
... when you don't know all the advices and books recommended by our newcoming fake name five-star coach (see further above).
| | | | Mihai Badea (X)
Luxembourg
Local time: 01:54
English to Romanian
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Any idea if Google employs people to produce these Google Translate texts?
Paul looks rather smart. I don't think he was talking serious. But there is indeed a difference between buying a book and actually reading a book.
And this is not all. You need to digest what you read and implement it. And obviously, results will not be instantaneous.
| | | | | Great advices... | Jan 15, 2022 |
Mihai Badea wrote:
But there is indeed a difference between buying a book and actually reading a book.
And this is not all. You need to digest what you read and implement it. And obviously, results will not be instantaneous.
... by our new born L. Ron Hubbard for the poor and desperate translators.
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expressisverbis
Portugal
Local time: 00:54
Member (2015)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| Paul, change your approach and attitude | Jan 15, 2022 |
Wilsonn Perez Reyes wrote:
I assume, though, that the rates for the English-Portuguese (Portugal) pair must be higher than those for the English-Brazilian Portuguese pair.
And I will assume Paul translates from Brazilian Portuguese to his native language (English).
If he is doing the other way around, the problem probably resides in there...
In fact, my advice to him is: to not focus on Brazilian clients or agencies if he translates to his mother tongue.
Also something important, in my humble opinion: I believe Paul should stop moaning about everything. If I were a client, I would most probably not contact him for a job - I'm sorry, I have to be honest here.
Moaning can project a bad image. I think it is not by complaining that we actually get what we want.
So, I wish you can "get that job" and many more, Paul.
Also, I hope to read a next topic posted by you, telling us your good news, and thanking everyone here for the great advice provided.
All the best for you
| | | | | Post removed: This post was hidden by a moderator or staff member for the following reason: Edits have not been made within 72 hours of request. | | How to get that job | Jan 15, 2022 |
Paul Dixon wrote:
I would like to know how to make sure I get jobs.
I know you're an old hand at this, but allow me to repeat:
Apply to as many agencies as you can: https://www.proz.com/blueboard
Consider signing up for Upwork and Fiverr.
Create a new website for yourself (e.g. at WordPress or Jimdo) so that people aren't sent to your old blog from 2013 wh... See more Paul Dixon wrote:
I would like to know how to make sure I get jobs.
I know you're an old hand at this, but allow me to repeat:
Apply to as many agencies as you can: https://www.proz.com/blueboard
Consider signing up for Upwork and Fiverr.
Create a new website for yourself (e.g. at WordPress or Jimdo) so that people aren't sent to your old blog from 2013 when they click your website URL. Try to inspire confidence.
FWIW, there is a small bit of code at the bottom of your ProZ.com profile page.
Is it time for a career change?
Can you supplement your translation income with unskilled labor?
But what we really need is regulation of the profession.
Careful: not all people who cry for regulation will end up being included in the regulation. This is why I oppose regulation in my country of origin: thousands of highly experienced translators who just don't have the right academic qualification will find themselves in a tier that doesn't allow them to work professionally.
It is just unfortunate that in an unregulated industry, people who are good at translating but not good at finding good-paying clients will struggle to make a living. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Adieu
Ukrainian to English
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| Don't worry about US vs. UK English | Jan 16, 2022 |
Don't even mention which one is your native.
"Paul Dixon, Native English speaker" seems plenty believable and is unlikely to evoke any follow-up.
Spell check will fix 99% of the differences anyway.
Paul Dixon wrote:
Clarifying some points:
1. I do indeed translate from Brazilian Portuguese to English. I speak the British version which is a disadvantage here as most people here like enUS. (In fact, Brazil in general seems to love the US. For example, plenty of NBA and NFL on television but not a word about cricket or rugby league).
2. Returning to the UK could be a possibility but unfortunately the disaster called Brexit has brought havoc to the country.
3. Regarding 'moaning', it may appear to be moaning but it is the truth. The problem is that the market is not regulated which, as I mentioned, means that people losing their jobs in other areas flood the translation market, bringing rates and quality down.
4. I do plan to buy Matthias' book if it comes out. As mentioned, the advent of PEMT has changed the market quite a bit, a book on this would be very helpful.
5. Upwork and Fiverr: I will look at them but I believe they are bottom-feeders.
6. I also plan to launch a book one day, but printing costs are high. One leading printer wanted R$ 9 thousand which is over 1000 quid just to launch a book. I could do the route of independent printing but then I need to pay separately for cover, registration, catalographic information, etc. May be cheaper, but much more difficult to organise.
7. I will indeed create a new blog, provided I can find one that is easy to use by someone who is not tech-savvy. It appears you cannot have a new Blogspot account if you already have one. I will follow the same strategy used in my old blog. with information on the English language and cultural information on both countries.
8. Many people have suggested I have my own website, but there again cost is the issue.
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Mr. Satan (X)
English to Indonesian
| Bottom-feeders | Jan 16, 2022 |
Paul Dixon wrote:
I will sign up for Upwork and Fiverr, although I have heard they are bottom-feeders.
Not to discourage you or anything, but I sincerely hope that you have a battle plan to deal with the fierce (and often unhealthy) competition from your fellow translators who reside in you-know-where.
[Edited at 2022-01-16 18:03 GMT]
| | | | Edward Potter
Spain
Local time: 01:54
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Samuel Murray wrote: But what we really need is regulation of the profession. Careful: not all people who cry for regulation will end up being included in the regulation. It is just unfortunate that in an unregulated industry, people who are good at translating but not good at finding good paying clients will struggle to make a living.
You took the words out of my mouth. Regulation often leads to unintended negative results. For example, in Spain there is a sworn translators test with a 2% pass quota. The graders throw out a lot of qualified translators with their uncontestable subjective criteria. The Spanish government then requires anyone submitting a paper to only use translators on their exclusive list. If you are in, you are loving life. If you are out, you can go in the corner and cry.
| | | | Robert Forstag
United States
Local time: 19:54
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Kind of sounds like the Federal Court Interpretation Certification Exam (Oral Section) in the US | Jan 18, 2022 |
Edward Potter wrote:
For example, in Spain there is a sworn translators test with a 2% pass quota. The graders throw out a lot of qualified translators with their uncontestable subjective criteria. The Spanish government then requires anyone submitting a paper to only use translators on their exclusive list. If you are in, you are loving life. If you are out, you can go in the corner and cry.
The Federal Oral exam in the US has something like a 4-6% pass rate. It is a very large feather in the cap of interpreters who pass it (and thus attain federal certification). Unfortunately, the extremely low pass rate means that quite a few very good interpreters do not have it. Some of these persons have taken the test multiple times and devoted years of their lives to trying to pass the test - without success (while in many cases spending thousands of dollars on prep courses, exam fees, airline flights, and lodging).
[Edited at 2022-01-18 13:13 GMT]
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