How to Work From Home As a Freelance Translator
If you speak more than one language, you can work from home as a freelance translator. Companies often need to translate Web sites, books, or documentation into other languages to improve their business. Some language pairs, such as English--Spanish are popular and you can find much work translating between the two. Other language pairs, such as Chinese--Norwegian may be less common, and you may have to search harder to find work or supplement your income in other ways.
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Instructions
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Obtain certification as a translator. Translation is a special skill that requires some study. You might speak two languages fluently, but that doesn't necessarily make you a good translator. You have to know how to accurately translate the nuances of a language, not just make a literal translation. By taking translation courses and becoming certified as a translator by a professional association, such as the American Translators Association, you increase your credibility in the eyes of potential employers.
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Write a resume that reflects your translation experience. You'll need to send potential employers a resume that has translation experience. Even if your job title wasn't "translator," you can still highlight portions of your job that
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Join Web sites that connect freelance translators with companies that need translation. Finding work as a freelancer can present a challenge. Sign up with Web sites that make the process easier. Some sites keep a list of many translators and contact you when work comes in that fits your experience. Other sites are bidding sites, at which a company or person posts that they need a translator, and you make a bid for how much it will cost for you to do the work. Both types of sites can work well. You may want to sign up with several sites to improve your chances of getting work.
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Agree on the terms of work. Once a company or person selects you, be sure to read the contract and make sure you understand the small print. Pay special attention to how much the job is paying and when the deadline is.
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Finish your translation duties before your deadline. Being a successful translator means turning your work in on time. When you prove to the companies that you work for that you are punctual, you'll be high on the list the next time the company needs translation.
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Tips & Warnings
When getting started, it may be hard to determine a rate to charge. After all, it's hard to know how long it will take you to translate the piece. Do a search to find out how much others charge for translation and use that as your base. For your first assignment, pay strict attention to how long your translations are taking and how much the company is paying you, to determine the hourly rate. If it's a fair rate, continue charging that rate. If not, increase your rates or learn to work faster.
