Being a translator is a challenging profession. It is a very demanding job because, being one, you have to be familiar with your native language and learn an additional two or three languages and be fluent in them. I don't just mean when speaking but also understanding all of the intricacies that go in correctly reading and writing them. Moreover, the translation industry is in more trend now than ever, be it a Regional Language Translation or Foreign Translation.
For that reason, a step-by-step, easy-to-follow guide could do a newcomer in the industry wonders. Let us discuss just that in the coming paragraphs.
Step 1: Select a Language
This step is arguably you have the most control ever. Start by choosing whether you want to pursue Regional Language Translation or its foreign counterpart. You must pick a language you're passionate about because your learning won't be easy, nor will it be short; you'll need that extra pinch of motivation to push you when it seems complicated.
Step 2: Language Certifications
To work as a translator professionally, you will need a language certification from an accredited institution, either a government board or private. Successfully earning this accreditation will tell your employer that you are serious about this as a profession and that you have been tested and trained as a professional. If you're choosing to give a Foreign Language Translation certification exam, you'll most likely have an online test, so make sure you have a strong connection before you begin.
Step 3: Additional Certifications
Achieving more certifications will strongly impact your resume and, as a result, the jobs and gigs (if you're a freelancer) that you find. Moreover, some computer certification has become an industry standard these days. Companies often require an MS office certification or any other specifics based on your application.
Step 4: Freelancing or Corporate?
After you have gained the required certifications and are confident in your ability to work as a professional translator, your next step should be to decide whether you'd like to pursue this career as a freelancer or an employee. Both options mentioned above have their merits and demerits, do your research and decide on one.
Some tips that can help you in deciding:
● Pursue freelancing if you like to work on your time
● Pursue working in a company if you are good at working with others and can follow a superior
● Freelancing tends to be more challenging when you start since you don't have any experience and nobody knows you, so keep that in mind (It will be challenging at the start)
● Compared to freelancing, working as an employee is much easier both in finding work as an employee as well as just doing what others tell you to
Step 5: Entry-level Jobs
After deciding how to pursue it, start searching for entry-level translator jobs or gigs (depending on how you choose to proceed, either as an employee or a freelancer). Many newcomers often try to get the highest-paid gig they can find, even if it isn't something they're comfortable with. Working in a company that is well respected in the industry but pays less in an entry-level position will be much better than working in a start-up that pays more.
Step 6: I have some experience; what now?
After you've had some experience in the industry (1-5 or more), it is time to decide whether you'd like to pursue the position you're still in or leave your job and find a new one which pays better. It would help if you now decided to double down on a specific industry. To illustrate, you might decide to pursue your career as a language tutor or a medical translator (one trained in professional medical terms).
Step 7: Don’t stop learning
It is important to rekindle the fire that was once in you when you thought of creating a career in this field. Keep learning, and don't lose your spirit; you'll be brought down many times; just remember to think of your younger self when you decide to pursue this.
Conclusion
Learning languages is hard. Well, what about becoming a professional translator? Yes, it's even harder, but anyone can become one with the right guidance and passion. The steps provided above will prove to be substantial for your professional journey. Keep working hard, and don't lose hope! Ensure you get the best education in your Best Languages Translator journey (or regional).
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