If you are searching for a Portuguese translator or English to Portuguese translator, finding your first freelance translator can be very difficult. Whether you are an experienced recruiter who has never worked with a freelancer or a startup with little to no experience with hiring, you might be stressed out about finding your first freelance translator.
Luckily, there are so many ways to find freelance translators, even if you are new to freelance translator hiring. Here are some of the best tips from professionals on how to find translators both online and offline.
Professional associations. Searching in a professional association is one possible route to finding translators. That being said, most translators join professional associations a bit later in their careers after they earn the relevant experience and knowledge and meet the requirements to be admitted to the association, so it’s not the best option if you are looking to hire someone with lesser experience or a fresher. However, inquiring in a professional association will help you bring in more translator prospects in your fold. And if you are looking for experienced translators and are merely starting as a freelance translator recruiter, you can most inquire in a translation association, as this will expedite your search for professional translators and help you reach more translators.
Advertisements. Advertisements are another great option for finding freelance translators. Many professional translators say that they found their first freelance translation work through advertisements posted in places like online classifieds, newspapers and similar media. So, make sure to post your requirements in these advertising places. Those is also the perception that the companies utilizing these types of ads are reputable companies. Thus, it will boost your company’s reputation as well.
Translation portals. Translation portals are excellent options for finding your first freelance translator. Translation portals are a great way to start your search for a freelance translator, but these portals typically mean overcrowded rosters, so you probably want to build on to other methods of obtaining translators after using portals to build up your professional profile. Direct approaches are another option, but it can be difficult to find direct translators when you first start your search for a freelance translator. High-end translators who have more experience will typically choose their translation service clients based on the reputation and previous payment punctuality of the client. So, make sure you pay within the mutually agreed stipulated time. It is definitely possible to get a translation job done directly from the translator, especially those that you’ve already worked within another industry or field.
Agencies. One of the most common ways to get translation work done is through a translation agency. It tends to be much easier and more common to receive your first translation job done through either a translation company or an agency since they are always looking for new talent and connecting them with clients. You can usually find companies in your city or search online to find companies abroad. Just double-check that they have a diverse and skilled roster of freelance translators and that they have freelance translators in your language pair and direction. Agencies will usually ask translators to perform a translation test which ensures that the translators they have are competent and the end work will be of quality. Keep in mind that these agencies will usually charge you for the work that you are getting done, so you will have to keep that additional cost into account before going to an agency. But it is much easier and more convenient to get translation work done through an agency.
Recommendation of colleagues or friends. Another great way to find freelance translators is through recommendations from colleagues and friends. Networking with other business owners and colleagues is one of the best and most efficient ways to find your first freelance translator. We recommend communicating with professional communities and finding new friends in the translation industry. These translators and colleagues can help you find your first translator.
Now you know that there are several different ways to find your first freelance translator. From finding direct translators to searching through advertisements to communicating with colleagues to sending offers to translation agencies and clients to joining translation agencies, there are so many great ways to search for your first freelance translator. Businesses typically find their first translator during the first couple weeks of searching. On average, it takes about 14 days, while the longest it takes generally is about one month. So, start searching and begin on your translation work getting done!
