Latest update date: February 03, 09

CV (Curriculum Vitae) A resume is a document that summarizes a person's education, work experience, skills, and other personal information. It is like an "advertisement" that introduces you to employers, helps them get an overview of you and evaluate whether you are suitable for the job position they are recruiting for.

In an increasingly competitive translation market, an impressive CV can be the key to standing out from the crowd. This article will provide detailed and up-to-date advice on creating a compelling CV for translators, based on the latest recruitment trends and industry requirements.

CV Writing Tips for Translators

Optimize the introduction

Make a strong first impression with a short but compelling introduction:

  • State your career goals and why you are a good fit for the position you are applying for.
  • Emphasize unique skills and relevant experience.
  • Use important keywords in the translation industry to optimize your CV for ATS (Applicant Tracking System) systems.

For example:

Professional translator with 5 years of experience in the medical and technology fields. Fluent in English and Japanese, NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) certified. Passionate about creating accurate and creative translations, and always up to date with the latest translation technology trends.

Present your skills and expertise effectively

Create a “Key Skills” section right after the introduction, listing the 6-8 most important skills.

Use industry-specific keywords like “Medical Translation”, “Bilingual Editing”, “Software Localization”.

Indicate proficiency in popular CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) tools such as SDL Trados, MemoQ, Wordfast.

For example:

Main skill

  • Specialized translation: Medical, Information Technology, Finance
  • Proficient in CAT tools: SDL Trados, MemoQ, Wordfast
  • Bilingual English-Vietnamese editing and proofreading
  • Large-scale translation project management
  • Research specialized terminology
  • Website and mobile app localization
Present your skills & expertise effectively

Highlight professional experience

Arrange experience in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent position.

Use strong verbs to describe achievements, for example: “Manage”, “Optimize”, “Develop”.

Provide specific figures to illustrate performance.

For example:

Professional experience

Senior Translator

  • Managed a team of 5 translators, completing over 100 medical translation projects per year.
  • Optimize translation process, reduce project completion time by 30%.
  • Develop a specialized terminology database with over 10,000 words.

Freelance translator

  • Undertook over 200 diverse translation projects for international clients.
  • Maintain a client satisfaction rate above 95% across freelance platforms.

Education and professional certifications

List qualifications related to language and translation.

Specify international certifications such as NAATI, ATA (American Translators Association), or certifications from other reputable translation organizations.

Mention any professional courses or seminars you have attended to demonstrate continued knowledge updating.

For example:

Education and certifications

  • BA in English Language, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 2015
  • Certificate in Professional Translation, NAATI (Australia), 2018
  • “Advanced Medical Translation” Course, Vietnam Translators Association, 2020

Optimize CV for ATS

Many companies use ATS systems to screen CVs. To increase your chances of getting past the first round:

  • Use simple, easy-to-read formatting.
  • Incorporate keywords from the job description into your resume.
  • Avoid using tables, complex images that can be difficult for ATS to read.

Demonstrate soft skills

In the translation industry, soft skills are just as important as technical skills:

  • Emphasize communication and teamwork skills.
  • Demonstrate flexibility and ability to work under pressure.
  • Highlight effective time management and work organization skills.

An impressive CV is the first step towards landing your dream translation job. By following the tips above, you will create a CV that stands out and demonstrates your value and potential in an increasingly competitive translation industry.

Remember, your CV is your opportunity to tell your unique career story. Keep it updated and tailored to reflect your latest skills and experience in the ever-evolving field of translation.

Show soft skills in your CV

Frequently asked questions

1. How to optimize CV for ATS (Applicant Tracking System) systems?

To optimize your CV for ATS, follow these steps:

  • Use simple formats, preferably .docx or .pdf files
  • Incorporate keywords from the job description, which should be about 3-5% of the total words in your CV.
  • Avoid using tables, complex graphics, headers/footers
  • Use clear headings for sections (like “Experience,” “Education”)
  • Check your CV with a free ATS tool like Jobscan before submitting.

2. Should I include my desired salary in my translator CV?

Generally, it is not a good idea to include your desired salary on your CV. Instead:

  • Save this information for the interview or negotiation stage.
  • Research industry average salaries (for example, according to ProZ.com's 2022 survey, the average freelance translator salary is $0.08-$0.12/word)
  • Prepare a flexible salary range based on your experience and skills
  • Focus on demonstrating your value in your CV instead of mentioning salary

3. How to effectively showcase freelance translation projects on your CV?

To effectively showcase freelance projects:

  • Create a separate category called “Freelance Translation Projects” or “Freelance Experience”
  • List 3-5 most typical projects, clearly stating the name of the client (if allowed), field, and volume of work.
  • Use specific metrics, for example: “Completed 50,000 words of medical translation in 2 weeks, achieving a 4.9/5 customer rating”
  • Highlight the special skills applied in each project
  • Mention the CAT tools or project management processes you have used.

4. What language certificates should be included in a translator's CV?

Important language certificates to include on your CV include:

  • International certificates: IELTS (score of 7.0 or higher), TOEFL iBT (score of 100 or higher), or C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge English: Advanced)
  • Professional translation certificates: NAATI (Australia), ATA (USA), DipTrans (IoLET, UK)
  • Industry certifications: such as SDL Trados Certification for CAT tools
  • Professional certifications: such as Medical Translation Certification from reputable organizations Note: List only valid certifications that are directly related to translation work

5. How to demonstrate technology skills in a translator CV?

To demonstrate technology skills effectively:

  • Create a separate section called “Tech Skills” or “Professional Tools”
  • List the CAT . tool Proficiency, e.g. SDL Trados (Level 2), MemoQ, Wordfast
  • Mention the ability to use project management tools like Trello, Asana
  • State experience with online translation platforms such as Memsource, XTM
  • Emphasize skills in using support tools such as Grammarly, Linguee, IATE
  • Refers to the ability to handle special file formats (.xml, .json, .idml)
  • If yes, mention experience with technology machine translation and post-editing (MTPE)

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