5 best sites to find job opportunities for new translators

You’ve spent weeks scouring the net for that coveted junior translator role at a professional agency and finally come across a contender. The problem? The post requires a minimum of two years of experience.

But how on earth are you supposed to get industry experience when you can’t even get on the bottom rung of the career ladder? The catch-22 of entry-level job searching is a headache for graduates across all industries. 

Having once been in your shoes, we know how difficult getting established in the translation industry can be. So if you’re desperate to get some work experience on your resume, then check out some of our top sites for getting your hands on a translation project or two today.

ProZ

Some would say that if you want to get anywhere in the translation industry a ProZ profile is an absolute must. This site enables you to bid for projects posted by agencies and direct clients from across the globe. There are also features such as forums and open-source termbases that help new translators build on their professional expertise and presence among both colleagues and clients. 

If you’re serious about making a name for yourself a freelance translator it may be worth paying for a professional membership. Not only does this include preferential access to certain job postings, it also offers access to the site’s mentoring program which is led by industry professionals.

Translators Café

A veteran of the translation industry, this site offers similar features to ProZ. While there may not be quite as many jobs available they’re often far better paid and come from reputable translation agencies. 

The site also has a close family-like community feel about it which means you’re also more likely to strike up beneficial business relationships and get advice from other industry professionals.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is all too often overlooked when it comes to opportunities for translation graduates. However these days, the majority of agencies and language service providers use this professional social network for recruitment purposes. 

At TranslaStars, we recommend investing some serious time in getting your profile up to scratch as this is what potential employers will use to assess your skills and specialties. 

If you’re serious about making a name for yourself in the industry then why not spent some time posting several times a week? It’s a great way to show off what you know and give a little back to the translation community at the same time.

TM-Town

This site’s pretty unique in that it enables you to access your linguistic assets from anywhere in the world. Essentially you can store your translation memories and glossaries, convert various project file types, and much more.

We think it’s also worth creating a registering your profile in order to have the opportunity to interact with potential clients based and take on projects based on your expertise. There are even possibilities to earn money from terminology glossaries.

TED

Everyone’s heard of TED talks, but did you know you can create the subtitles for them too? The downside is that the project is voluntary, although the thrill of seeing your words on screen is definitely worth it. 

The amount of projects you can sign up for is of course dependent on your language combination, but even if there aren’t many subtitles available there are almost plenty of editing jobs up for grabs. 

All you have to do is fill in an online application form and wait for approval. Having that on your resume is pretty much guaranteed to boost your employability.

Written by Helen Hadley