How to Become a Better Interpreter and Get More Assignments
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(Last Updated On: November 16, 2015)Language interpretation plays a vital role in today’s world; however, some interpreters may find it hard to get enough interpretation jobs to make ends meet. Here are a few tips to become a better interpreter and some ideas that might get you more jobs.
Learn more languages
Being an interpreter requires fluency in at least 2 languages, but being fluent in only 2 languages you will only get interpretation jobs for the languages you know. If you learn a third language, you will become a better interpreter and you will be able to get more jobs. Knowing 3 languages allows you to work with 3 language combinations instead of one. Our telephone interpreting platform allows you to add an unlimited number of languages to your profile.
Expand your field of expertise
If you’re good in several fields you will get more jobs. Getting familiar with other related fields of expertize will make you a better interpreter and will give you more chances to getting jobs.
Continue your education
Stay up to date by reading books, newspapers and watch television in all your languages in order to become a better interpreter. Interpreters have to process data quickly therefore it is necessary to always exercise quick translation from the language you hear on television into another language you know. This will also improve your ability to interpret quickly and with no flaws.
There are also classes and courses for interpreters and most of them are free. You should take those classes in order to improve yourself. Another way to become better at this is to visit the countries in which your languages are spoken – this is the best way to learn more about both the language and the customs.
Do your best to satisfy your clients
If a client is satisfied with your work, he might want to choose you for future assignments. So at the end of the conversation you may want be able to tell your customer your ID so he will be able to dial you directly. This won’t happen often as some rarely use interpretation, just make sure you’re ready to provide that information to the client if requested.
Search for offline engagements
There are other engagements you could get in the “face to face” world like providing court interpretation of serving as a tour guide for tourists. Getting one of those engagements will provide you some extra work and will also make you go out often.
Are you going to put the above into practice? If you do, you will become a better interpreter and probably get more jobs.
Tips to become a better interpreter
Learn more languages
Being an interpreter requires fluency in at least 2 languages, but being fluent in only 2 languages you will only get interpretation jobs for the languages you know. If you learn a third language, you will become a better interpreter and you will be able to get more jobs. Knowing 3 languages allows you to work with 3 language combinations instead of one. Our telephone interpreting platform allows you to add an unlimited number of languages to your profile.
Expand your field of expertise
If you’re good in several fields you will get more jobs. Getting familiar with other related fields of expertize will make you a better interpreter and will give you more chances to getting jobs.
Continue your education
Stay up to date by reading books, newspapers and watch television in all your languages in order to become a better interpreter. Interpreters have to process data quickly therefore it is necessary to always exercise quick translation from the language you hear on television into another language you know. This will also improve your ability to interpret quickly and with no flaws.
There are also classes and courses for interpreters and most of them are free. You should take those classes in order to improve yourself. Another way to become better at this is to visit the countries in which your languages are spoken – this is the best way to learn more about both the language and the customs.
Do your best to satisfy your clients
If a client is satisfied with your work, he might want to choose you for future assignments. So at the end of the conversation you may want be able to tell your customer your ID so he will be able to dial you directly. This won’t happen often as some rarely use interpretation, just make sure you’re ready to provide that information to the client if requested.
Search for offline engagements
There are other engagements you could get in the “face to face” world like providing court interpretation of serving as a tour guide for tourists. Getting one of those engagements will provide you some extra work and will also make you go out often.
Are you going to put the above into practice? If you do, you will become a better interpreter and probably get more jobs.