Riccardo Schiaffino President Aliquantum, Inc. How Not To Get Hired Riccardo Schiaffino President Aliquantum, Inc.

How Not To Get Hired Whether you are looking for a job as a staff translator or you are offering your services as a freelancer, it is very important to make a good first impression. That means knowing which mistakes to avoid in your communications with your prospective employer or customer.

How Not To Get Hired First Impressions

First Impressions Answer All Inquiries

Know which mistakes to avoid in: First Impressions Know which mistakes to avoid in:

Know which mistakes to avoid in: First Impressions Know which mistakes to avoid in: Cover letters Résumés Translation tests On the phone and during interviews

Cover Letters Concise May include a brief summary of your résumé Avoid any boasting Indicate your availability Give your rates If asked, don’t disclose private information that you deem inappropriate, but explain briefly why you choose to do so

Résumés Reasonably short Legible Present most important information first Avoid irrelevant information Avoid anything that might seem unrealistic Follow the standards for your target market Avoid anything that might offend or that might score a mark against you (e.g., spelling errors)

Translation Tests If you decline to do them, leave you doors open Don’t ask to be paid for them (consider them as overhead) Do your homework, and read any instruction provided carefully Don’t miss the test deadline Don’t call back to ask what something means Don’t leave alternate translations Don’t add “Translator’s Notes” Spell-check and self-edit your test carefully

On the Phone and During Interviews Don’t appear unprepared Have your own questions ready Clarify any points that may seem unclear Don’t start a discussion about your translation test Don’t haggle after an agreement has been reached (you may do so before)

Conclusions How To Get Hired First Impressions Try to give the best impression that you can Answer all inquiries that you receive, even if only to say “No, thanks”

How To Get Hired Cover Letters Short and to the point

How To Get Hired Résumés Concise, readable, containing only the appropriate information

How To Get Hired Translation Tests Treat them as any other professional assignment

How To Get Hired Interviews Look up information on your prospective employer or customer Check your résumé and credentials as if you had received them from someone else Prepare any question you want to ask to your prospect