Translation as a Profession (Benjamins Translation Library)

180 Translation as a Profession4.1.3 RecommendationsEstablished translators have the following recommendations for anyone whoconsiders becoming a freelancer:– Be convinced at all times that translating is a rewarding profession and thattranslators who are masters of language skills and of technology do make acomfortable living.– Try to understand what translation requesters actually want; avoid the commonerror of thinking they are just looking for cheap rates!– Do not go into freelancing unless you have had an opportunity to actuallylearn your trade. Start with a period of in-house translating. If that is impossible,get someone with lots of experience to review and revise your translations.– If you do decide to setup shop as a freelancer, save enough money to live for atleast six months without having to accept low-rate contracts.– Build a two-year business plan and stick to it!!!– Join a translators’ association.– Subscribe to professional forums.And, once things get started:– Never ever refuse an order on the grounds that someone else has promised youa huge project ‘next week’. Pending receipt of a true ‘solid’ purchase order, dotake work!– Never do tests for free unless you know the requester actually means business.– Pay absolutely no attention to mentions of lower rates by your competitors.– Never accept deferred payment on the grounds that the agency has notcollected the amount of the contract from its client yet.– In case of alleged quality defects, ask for a list of such defects. Make thenecessary corrections if justified.– Always get some sort of contract. Never undertake a translation in the absenceof a purchase order.4.2 Finding employment as a salaried translatorToday, anyone with a bona fide qualification in the field of translation may findwork as a salaried translator, providing they abide by the following simple rules:∗Get a foot in the door. It is estimated that graduates whose course includes along work placement in a translation company stand at least a one in threechance of being offered a job at the end of that period and that can be threeout of four in some courses. This is easy to explain, as the work placementserves to confirm that the intern can carry out the necessary tasks effectivelyand professionally, and saves the company the expense of going through a fullrecruitment procedure.