How Not To Get Hired

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How Not To Get Hired

• Riccardo Schiaffino
• President
• Aliquantum, Inc.

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How Not To Get Hired

• Whether you are looking for a job as a staff
  translator or you are offering your services as a
  freelancer, it is very important to make a good
  first impression.
• That means knowing which mistakes to avoid in
  your communications with your prospective
  employer or customer.

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How Not To Get Hired

• First Impressions

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First Impressions
Answer All Inquiries
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First Impressions
Know which mistakes to avoid in
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First Impressions

• Know which mistakes to avoid in
• Cover letters
• Résumés
• Translation tests
• On the phone and during interviews

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Cover Letters

• Concise
• May include a brief summary of your résumé
• Avoid any boasting
• Indicate your availability
• Give your rates
• If asked, dont disclose private information that
  you deem inappropriate, but explain briefly why
  you choose to do so

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Résumés

• Reasonably short
• Legible
• Present most important information first
• Avoid irrelevant information
• Avoid anything that might seem unrealistic
• Follow the standards for your target market
• Avoid anything that might offend or that might
  score a mark against you (e.g., spelling errors)

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Translation Tests

• If you decline to do them, leave you doors open
• Dont ask to be paid for them (consider them as
  overhead)
• Do your homework, and read any instruction
  provided carefully
• Dont miss the test deadline
• Dont call back to ask what something means
• Dont leave alternate translations
• Dont add Translators Notes
• Spell-check and self-edit your test carefully

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On the Phone and During Interviews

• Dont appear unprepared
• Have your own questions ready
• Clarify any points that may seem unclear
• Dont start a discussion about your translation
  test
• Dont haggle after an agreement has been reached
  (you may do so before)

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ConclusionsHow To Get Hired

• First Impressions
• Try to give the best impression that you can
• Answer all inquiries that you receive, even if
  only to say No, thanks

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How To Get HiredCover Letters

• Short and to the point

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How To Get Hired Résumés

• Concise, readable, containing only the
  appropriate information

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How To Get Hired Translation Tests

• Treat them as any other professional assignment

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How To Get Hired Interviews

• Look up information on your prospective employer
  or customer
• Check your résumé and credentials as if you had
  received them from someone else
• Prepare any question you want to ask to your
  prospect