Spanish translator jobs

There are two main types of translator jobs in which the majority of Spanish translators work: freelance translation work and in-house translation work.

While many translators focus on one over another, some work as in-house translators during the day and then do freelance jobs at night. There are positives and negatives for devoting your time to soley one type or another, as well as doing both.

In my translation career I have had the opportunity to do both in-house work as well as freelance translator jobs, and while each translator's situation and experience is different, I'd like to share some of the advantages and disadvantages I've found over the years.

Maybe my situation can act as a reference point for you when deciding what direction you would like to take when looking at the different careers in translation.

Freelance Translator Jobs
Good freelance translators are a unique breed.

I think it's one of the hardest jobs a person can do, and it's not necessarily because of the translations or using translation agencies to find jobs. Freelance translators are entrepeneurs in every sense of the word. Not only must freelance translators do the translations their commisioned to do, but they also have to administer their business, taking charge of things such as accounting, marketing, growing the business, and competing with translators who offer (nearly) free language translation services, along with a bunch of other things.

While having to manage an entire business can be daunting for most people, help is available for those brave souls who want a challenge and aren't afraid to try. It might seem like there are a lot of disadvantages when it comes to doing freelance translation work but there are plenty of advantages that make it a perfect fit for many, many people (especially those with motivation).

Some of these benefits include the ability to set your own schedule, the ability to be picky about the work you accept, and ultimately the ability to decide how you want your business to run. While a lot of effort goes into accomplishing your goals as a freelance translator, the final outcome can be very rewarding.

Learn more about how to find freelance translation jobs.

In-House Translator Jobs
While many translators do freelance work full-time, there are those who prefer to work as in-house translators.

In-house translator jobs are mostly salaried positions with translation companies that do high volumes of translation work. Some translators choose to work as in-house translators because of the stability of the job. Benefits are also usually included.

In-house translators, however, have to deal with office drama the same as other office workers and this can sometimes be pretty stressful and mundane. Freelance translators don't often have to worry about these sorts of office politics.

Both
In order to maximize the benefits that come with both types of translator jobs, many translators work as in-house translators for the job stability and benefits and then do freelance moonlighting jobs in the evenings or on the weekends. With a stable in-house translator job, you can be more selective about the freelance work you'll accept and you can decide how much you want to work.

However, it might be more difficult to get bigger projects due to the fact that you won't have as much time as full-time freelance translators to get a big job done.

Whichever option you choose, understand how it will affect your lifestyle and make sure it suits your situation, because as I like to say, everyone's situation is different and only you know what's best for you. Below are some more articles on how to find more work in the Spanish translation industry as well as other Spanish language professions.

• Translation Jobs
  Here's another method for finding translation jobs using Craigslist and Google.
• Spanish Translator Jobs Listings
  Check out this page for links to translation websites and agency websites looking for freelance translators.
• Spanish Professor Jobs
  Interested in teaching Spanish? Here are some tips for getting into this field.
• Network Your Way to More Business
  Networking is a great way to meet translators and even build your freelance business.

Keep up-to-date on ways you can build your client base and help your freelance translation business grow by subscribing to the free monthly newsletter for translators, Translator Techniques.