(Last Updated On: October 19, 2015)With notably greater demands and increasing market for the phone interpreting industry, freelancers and linguists – both newbie and professionals – have taken steps to be counted in as part of this emerging industry revolution. Who would not want to work in an industry where projects and work are ensured on a long term basis considering the awareness and patronage of different sectors from both public and private? It is indeed a lucrative profession because the market for interpreters are increasing widely, covering multiple niches and segments of the business world.

An interpreter’s job is surely not trouble-free. There are challenges that must be dealt with accordingly. These challenges are to be met with conviction and diligence, and fueled, necessarily, by passion and ambition. Phone interpreters, especially those that are engaged in freelance service, take on a considerable assortment of challenges to take on this task. There are requisites that must be complied with when preparing for a Telephone Interpreting Session – training, skills, equipment even the correct mindset to do the job accurately and efficiently. The primary stage of the interpreting process begins with preparation.

Preparing for Telephone Interpreting Session

Preparing to do interpreting jobs is nothing that is easily comparable with other professions. Of course, there is the usual checking of equipment and pertinent gadgets, getting one’s self ready by checking the schedule and appointments of the day, and seeing that all documents and paperwork are in place.

Starting with the workstation, freelancers must choose an area free from distractions and disruptions. It is easier to work when there is nothing that distracts your concentration or may disturb you while you do your job. Other than losing the actual conversation you are interpreting, it may also affect the quality of your work.

When there are distractions in your working area, chances are you may misinterpret words or thoughts. This, in turn, affects the accuracy of your projects. Remembering to keep a spot in the office (or house if you are working as a freelancer) separate from the hustle and bustle of other departmental or corporate tasks must be taken into considerable account. In most language companies, there are separate areas for interpreters where they can do tasks in a noise-proof cubicle or room.

As soon as you have ensured your environment for working, check if you have all your equipment ready. A trusty PC or laptop with recording capabilities will be most useful, a recorder (if necessary), pens and paper, and other similar necessities. Importantly, check if all the equipment is working. Check the microphone, the microphone volume, headset, and recorder – ensure that they are all working fine. Should there be a gadget that needs batteries replaced, do so before you start the session. Cutting off a conversion because you need to charge your gadget or put in new battery sets for your headsets may be unruly and rude. It can also be unprofessional because your clients pay you by the hour. For sure, they don’t want to pay for delays caused interminably by you.

Having a pen and paper ready also guarantees that you are taking notes of some important highlights, or that the sentences may be quite lengthy and you would need to get the gist at least of the whole statement.

Pre-sessions are usually done before an actual interpreting task works. Phone interpreters must be prepared even during this stage. Making certain that you are ready for the job ensures that as early as pre-session, you are going the extra mile to provide quality service for your clients and the business of interpreting in general.