Don’t let your talent go to waste!
It happens too often. Clients request the CV of an interpreters that we trust, having witnessed their skills firsthand. However, disappointment strikes when their CV fails to reflect their true abilities. With over a decade of experience in both interpreting and procuring interpreters for many a client, we at Beyond Interpreter have a deep understanding of the information clients and agencies would like to see in an interpreter’s CV.
Interpreters’ CVs should be filled to a brim with, well, interpreting experience. However, some skilled interpreters may forget to update their CVs. If clients don’t interview interpreters before hiring them, we might discover their lack of expertise on the job site; and it’s probably too late to salvage the situation. That’s why clients and agencies seek assurance that interpreters can deliver exceptional service, particularly in industries relevant to their needs. Since we can’t narrate our work experiences to clients, our CVs, packed with a list of our interpreting accomplishments, often serve as the one and only key to impressing them and open doors to more opportunities.
Without further ado, let’s dive further and see what detailsa CV should contain.
Include all your interpreting gigs, or the most notable ones, in your CV, and keep it up-to-date.
Other than a fancy degree from abroad, clients also want to know that you can deliver excellent real-world results. So, list your notable interpreting gigs, including the years and the relevant industries. Specify whether it was consecutive or simultaneous interpreting. The more gigs you list, the better, and keep adding new ones to your CV. This shows that you’re trusted by enough clients to make a living as an interpreter. If you haven’t worked full-time an interpreter but have some experience interpreting in other roles, like a middle manager who liaises with international teams, or any other roles where you have interpreted, mention what you interpreted and how often (occasionally, weekly, a few times a week, daily, etc.). This helps agencies assess your skills and assign you suitable projects.
For new interpreters or those who haven’t worked full-time as an interpreter but want to become a freelancer, you might not get big, high-paying gigs at first. But smaller gigs are a chance to show your interpreting skills and develop your abilities further. If you take small gigs and do them well, you will gain clients’ trust and open doors to bigger gigs in the future. If you take on a big gig and can’t handle it, you might not get any more work.
The same principle applies for your LinkedIn profile. We sometimes look for interpreters and translators on LinkedIn, but we find people who just write “Translator and Interpreter” in their profile description with no further details. Don’t just say the years you have worked, like “interpreter 2015-Present” – we don’t know how much experience you really have. You might have only interpreted a few times during that period. Instead, list the gigs you have completed as an interpreter.
We hope you found the providedinsights on crafting an effective interpreter’s CV valuable. Whether you are anexperienced interpreter due for a CV update or an aspiring interpreter seekingto establish your presence in the industry, don’t delay! Enhance your CV todayand be ready to seize the opportunities that await.
