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

2. 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.

3. How Not To Get Hired
First Impressions

4. First Impressions
Answer All Inquiries

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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”

12. How To Get Hired Cover Letters
Short and to the point

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

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

15. 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