| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Suppose that you get several job offers together but you can only accept one. Your criterion to sele Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Suppose that you get several job offers together but you can only accept one. Your criterion to sele".
This poll was originally submitted by Manuel Martín-Iguacel
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For m... See more This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Suppose that you get several job offers together but you can only accept one. Your criterion to sele".
This poll was originally submitted by Manuel Martín-Iguacel
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629 ▲ Collapse
| | | | Anthony Baldwin 
United States
Local time: 22:21
Portuguese to English
+ ...
This one really does involve a number of factors, and can be complicated.
Obviously, a trusted, regular client will always take priority over someone for whom I have not previously worked. Size of the project and rate play a huge roll, my availibility, how comfortable I am with the subject matter...language pair, because I have several but work more efficiently in some than in others, etc. Too many factors to be able to choose one option in such a poll.
But, I´ll bet the question ... See more This one really does involve a number of factors, and can be complicated.
Obviously, a trusted, regular client will always take priority over someone for whom I have not previously worked. Size of the project and rate play a huge roll, my availibility, how comfortable I am with the subject matter...language pair, because I have several but work more efficiently in some than in others, etc. Too many factors to be able to choose one option in such a poll.
But, I´ll bet the question generates a lot of discussion! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Kevin Fulton
United States
Local time: 22:21
German to English
| I'm in this for the money | Aug 21, 2006 |
If two jobs come in at the same rate, the customer who pays sooner gets preference. Other considerations are secondary to me.
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Interesting poll and needs to be thought over before being answered.
I chose subject because I think that a subject I am familiar with will mean faster turnaround, thus give me more time left for starting the next project. I can simply work more efficient. 2nd important factor for me would be "old client". Higher rate doesn't say anything if it's a new client and you have really no idea if he will pay on time (or maybe will not pay at all).
Getting good rates for good... See more Interesting poll and needs to be thought over before being answered.
I chose subject because I think that a subject I am familiar with will mean faster turnaround, thus give me more time left for starting the next project. I can simply work more efficient. 2nd important factor for me would be "old client". Higher rate doesn't say anything if it's a new client and you have really no idea if he will pay on time (or maybe will not pay at all).
Getting good rates for good work sounds fine, but it's even better if you eventually get paid
Erik
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Erik Hansson ( SFÖ )
Technical translator DE-SV
Hansson Übersetzungen GmbH
Website www.hansson.de
ProZ profile http://www.proz.com/pro/21654
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[Bearbeitet am 2006-08-21 19:54] ▲ Collapse
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| New Customer (not just recent) | Aug 21, 2006 |
The first job I would do for a new customer would take priority, as that would be the decisive step in the process of transforming them from prospect to customer.
| | | | Thomas Pfann
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:21
Member (2006)
English to German
+ ...
Anthony Baldwin wrote:
Too many factors to be able to choose one option in such a poll.
But, I´ll bet the question generates a lot of discussion!
Exactly. And as in so many other polls, the most important option "Depends" is once again missing.
I haven't yet made my mind up which answer to choose, but I think the subject and the type of material (website/manual/technical datasheets, marketing material etc.) make a big difference - I certainly wouldn't decline a job which sounds really interesting for something which I know will give me lots of headache. Also the file format or tool to use for the job might be important (again for the 'headache' reason).
And as I am still in the process of building up a customer base, I try not to decline work from customers who contact me for the first time.
It's probably a mixture of all available replies (and a few more).
[Edited at 2006-08-21 19:29]
| | | | Rosa Maria Duenas Rios (X)
Local time: 22:21
| I chose old customer because... | Aug 21, 2006 |
... I assumed that if it is an old customer, s/he:
- Pays a rate that I consider good;
- sends me work in my pairs and filed of specialization, and
- is a good payer (no delays, no surprises).
Given the above conditions, I would normally go for the old customer. If any of these is not met, then the rate might probably be the deciding factor.
| | | | Aurora Humarán (X)
Argentina
Local time: 23:21
English to Spanish
+ ...
Rosa Maria Duenas Rios wrote:
... I assumed that if it is an old customer, s/he:
- Pays a rate that I consider good;
- sends me work in my pairs and filed of specialization, and
- is a good payer (no delays, no surprises).
Given the above conditions, I would normally go for the old customer. If any of these is not met, then the rate might probably be the deciding factor.
Same here!
 Au
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I haven't answered yet, though I almost chose “rate.” Then I saw the other choices, and I had to stop and think (yes, it hurts a little; but what I wouldn't do for my fellow colleagues).
Let's see: “recent client” v. “old client” (you gotta love the wording here). I guess these criteria don't matter much to me—it's first come, first served in my shop.
The third criterium is “rate.” Yes, rates are (very) important to me: The higher the rate, the more li... See more I haven't answered yet, though I almost chose “rate.” Then I saw the other choices, and I had to stop and think (yes, it hurts a little; but what I wouldn't do for my fellow colleagues).
Let's see: “recent client” v. “old client” (you gotta love the wording here). I guess these criteria don't matter much to me—it's first come, first served in my shop.
The third criterium is “rate.” Yes, rates are (very) important to me: The higher the rate, the more likely it is that I will do business with you. It is that simple. But let's go on, shall we?
Fourth is “source language;” well, I have only one, so I obviously wouldn't accept any offers for translations, say, in Chinese. I've also stopped taking on translations from my target language into my source language—because it's just too difficult (for me), i.e., the hourly rates aren't high enough.
Next comes “size.” Like they say, “Size does matter.” I suppose I would tend to choose a larger assignment over a smaller one. If it's too large, or if I already have a steady stream of assignments, however, I might consider taking the smaller assignment, so as not to strain myself. (Brain cramps are no pretty sight.) Just to be honest, it would probably depend on the rate.
The sixth criterium is “subject matter.” When I first started translating, I really didn't care what the subject matter of the translation was. Nowadays, I pretty much only accept assignments having to do with the areas in which I specialize. It's almost becoming a situation similar to the “source language” criterium: I don't accept assignments in other fields per se.
Last, but not least, we have “other” and “N.A.,” of which the latter does not apply. I just might, however, let a particular assignment have priority because of “other.” You never really know what “other” could be until you've tried it!
I think it would have to be either “rate” or “subject matter” (or “other”) in my case. Fun poll! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Parrot
Spain
Local time: 04:21
Spanish to English
+ ...
| I tend to agree with Derek | Aug 21, 2006 |
especially about "first come first served", but what I accept and do not accept has to do with my production quotas, clients' deadlines, and scheduling. I.e., I might accept a big job with a long turnover time AND a few more short ones that can be met, but once a client proposes a certain number of words for a submission deadline that would mean unweildy overbooking, then I say no with apologies.
Rate plays a part in this, since there is more than one way to juggle deadlines. But my... See more especially about "first come first served", but what I accept and do not accept has to do with my production quotas, clients' deadlines, and scheduling. I.e., I might accept a big job with a long turnover time AND a few more short ones that can be met, but once a client proposes a certain number of words for a submission deadline that would mean unweildy overbooking, then I say no with apologies.
Rate plays a part in this, since there is more than one way to juggle deadlines. But my main framework is set by my production quotas. ▲ Collapse
| | | | carlo_car
Local time: 04:21
Italian to English
+ ...
| Yup, just like good wine | Aug 21, 2006 |
Rosa Maria Duenas Rios wrote:
... I assumed that if it is an old customer, s/he:
- Pays a rate that I consider good;
- sends me work in my pairs and filed of specialization, and
- is a good payer (no delays, no surprises).
Given the above conditions, I would normally go for the old customer. If any of these is not met, then the rate might probably be the deciding factor.
Yeah, I usually stick with the older Clients, too
Unless of course the newer Client is handing me too interesting a job to turn down, in which case there is a non-spoken agreement between myself and all my Clients that I'll always do my best to meet and exceed their demands...but the freelance business is very "take it while it's there"
I can't count the amount of times I've missed a weekend away or a birthday (not to count the nights without sleep!) to secure work "for a rainy day"!
So while I'll always go for the older Client, the factors are many and a new Client with a good sized load to get done in good time (so as not to tie me up for too long) may take the pie in the end...
But again, it all depends..
| | | | Özden Arıkan
Germany
Local time: 04:21
Member
English to Turkish
+ ...
| I'm in it for the money, too | Aug 21, 2006 |
Precisely why I agree with Rosa María:
Rosa Maria Duenas Rios wrote:
... I assumed that if it is an old customer, s/he:
- Pays a rate that I consider good;
- sends me work in my pairs and field of specialization, and
- is a good payer (no delays, no surprises).
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Nikki Graham
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:21
Spanish to English
| The total amount | Aug 21, 2006 |
Yes, very difficult to decide as said from the options provided in the poll. I chose size, assuming that I wouldn't accept the project if the rate was unacceptable and large projects usually have long deadlines (as this is what I try to negotiate) so that I can fit in smaller stuff for the usuals to keep them sweet. But what definitely matters is the final amount I will be paid. Would I rather accept a translation worth 1000 euros or 100? Hum, might have to think about that one... ... See more Yes, very difficult to decide as said from the options provided in the poll. I chose size, assuming that I wouldn't accept the project if the rate was unacceptable and large projects usually have long deadlines (as this is what I try to negotiate) so that I can fit in smaller stuff for the usuals to keep them sweet. But what definitely matters is the final amount I will be paid. Would I rather accept a translation worth 1000 euros or 100? Hum, might have to think about that one... ▲ Collapse
| | | | Yaotl Altan
Mexico
Local time: 20:21
Member (2006)
English to Spanish
+ ...
Kevin Fulton wrote:
If two jobs come in at the same rate, the customer who pays sooner gets preference. ...
Exactly. Otherwise, we could end financing translation agencies.
| | | | | I'm callous: Money talks! | Aug 22, 2006 |
If the rate is high enough, I will find a way to squeeze it in, even if I have to push the envelope to do it.
While size is important, too, because of the longer-term reward, when I take on a long job I'm a lot fussier: the rate has to be good, I have to like the topic, and the text has to be legible and reasonably grammatical. I'm too old to give away large chunks of my life to odious tasks. I'd rather be poor and happy during my remaining years.
[Edited at 2006-08-22 06:56]
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