04 Jun 15 Tips For Being A Professional Interpreter
Does success have a formula? Are there any special practices that lead you to ultimate perfection? well, some may say that they have the roadmap to their destination while others may call it a matter of luck. But if you are an interpreter, we can’t let you have vague ideas or put things in the hand of your fate. We believe you can take control of the game by following the most important yet simple rules. We have created a list of 15 tips for people who are looking to become a professional interpreter:
Get Professional Training
Since it’s a professionalism that has your focus, you must always start with a professional training. There are people who have never been to a special institution but still excel in their fields, yet the average is quite low. If you don’t want to take any chances and want to start your career with the best, start with a professional training. You must know all the rules, tricks and techniques of interpreting like the back of your hand, only then you can have a confident start.
Accreditation Is Important
You often see the words certified, accredited and membership certified. These words are the trademark in the interpreting industry. Whether you are associated with a company or working individually, certification and accreditation are very important. They are the assurance of your or your company’s authenticity and experience. So make sure you check that on your list.
Take Tests
Tests and exams are crucial. They are the perfect way of assessing your knowledge, skill and getting qualified. Without a professional qualification, you are as good as nothing. You can check online or with a university as to which tests are best for becoming a professional interpreter.
Building PR
You may think that is a step you don’t really need to take at that moment but take our word for it, it’s worth all your effort. Sometimes having people on your side, especially if they are influencers, is a real asset for your career. Once you have a social circle that is diverse and can link you up to work and task givers, half your work is already done.
Join A Company
A company where you can have a good future as an interpreter, is surely a good shot for you. In fact, building a profile on your own is far more difficult than joining an already established company. There you can work with a global audience and get recognition quicker than you could have acquired on your own. So yeah, join a company, a good interpreting service provider, is definitely a good way to get ahead.
Start Slow
Ever heard of taking things slow? that’s not just an advice for relationships, it’s for a professional interpreter as well. At first, you are going to met with a few challenges and the only way to deal with them is by not taking any more challenges. Work at your own pace, let the company know that you want to handle countable projects in the beginning.
Try Experimentation
If you have never set foot on the professional ground, you can’t say which path will really work for you. And if one doesn’t work well, you can always try another. The field of interpretation is vast, and among varied forms of interpretation, you don’t know which one is going to work for you the best. So keep trying until you find the one that matches your skill, timing and expectations.
Stay Available
The only way with which you can have more customers is by staying available for them. So try to be as much available as you possibly can. In the start, just keep one thing in mind. You are the one that needs a job, not your customers, so make sure that you become a choice for life, not for a while.
Work Honestly
Once you understand the importance of honesty, there is no way anyone can keep you behind. Your honesty will take you a long way. Not only will your employer value you, you’ll feel motivated to do more as you’ll be satisfied that you are being honest with your work.
Stay Patient
While trying different things on the path, you may find times where you might begin to lose your patience. But that’s the real test, you have to be patient when staying patient seems impossible. This is like a training during a camping trip, you have to pass it to go through a hike.
Stay Positive
Negativity comes quickly and easily. To keep it afar, keep positivity close. Stay optimistic even if things are not going exactly the way you wished them to. The energy that you need to work in a consistent manner can only be gained by staying positive.
Be Gentle
Be Gentle, not just to customers but also to your coworkers and even yourself. Kindness is the only motivation that works without any additional effort. Never forget that harsh people are the worst in our minds, memories and words, and you can’t risk being all that in anyone’s eyes.
Use Appropriate Solutions
Problems can be solved, all you need is an appropriate solution. If you meet with a situation where your customer has a problem and you have to solve it, then you must look for a solution that is appropriate and right at the same time.
Stay Up To Date
Every field has a different scope. And interpreting services are always changing with the scope widening every day. As a professional interpreter, you must always stay updated with all the new trends, changes and services in your field, so that you always sound professional whenever someone needs an information regarding something new.
Be GOOD
Choose good in everything you do, good quality, good schedule, good questions and a good human being. This is the most that’s required of an interpreter, and that can lead him to the success he could ever desire.