Find a translation job

by Summer Kuzma
(Lexington, SC)

Summer asked: My question has to do with how to find a translation job. I've been a freelance translator for almost a year now, but I've encountered problems trying to get an actual job title as a "translator" anywhere. I've translated at the DMV, an abortion clinic, a bond court, a magistrate court, an elementary schools, as well as for friends who need a translator and have paid me in return for my services. I have also been referred to other people through my friends.

My question is, should I continue looking for a job as a translator, knowing that I will probably not get paid for translating and will need other skills, or, should I go through the certification process?



The Spanish Translation: It sounds like you've started out doing all the right things in building a freelance translation business, Summer. The hardest thing for most people is finding clients, but you seem to have done that fairly well by doing translations for different people and even using your friends to network your way to more translation jobs.

From your question, though, it seems like you are interested in finding an in-house translation job, and that it's hard to find these kinds of jobs. I'll tell you the truth. Finding an in-house translation is not an easy thing to do. This is especially the case for Spanish/English translators. There are a number of reasons, with the first being that there are a lot of Spanish translators out there all vying for the same jobs. The second reason is that many companies do not hire people to only do translation work. They hire Spanish speakers with other skills (accounting, I.T. support, etc.) and then require them to do translation as part of their job description.

That being said, there are translator-specific jobs, you just need to be patient and look in the right places. For example, the government has been known to be really good at hiring translators for the specific job of translating. You might want to look there.

There are many different Spanish degree careers you might be able to find, though, if you're willing to do your freelance translation work on the side, while you work a day job doing something else. Many people do that.

Hope that helps, and good luck!