We have advertised quite a lot recently for qualified interpreters to register with our Manchester based translation and interpretation agency. The response to these ads has been very good with a huge number of applications each day. So many in fact that we now have a backlog and thus, if you have already applied with us, please be patient; due to the fact that we send a member of staff to meet and vet each new interpreter before they are placed on our database, this process takes quite some time.
In order to alleviate some doubts which you may have as to whether your application will be successful, I would like to take the time to explain a little about our selection process:
Applications via the form on our website are received by us each day. Our human resources personnel then quickly view your application and check this against C.V's sent to us that day (we advise you to send your C.V if you have one as this gives us much more information about your skills and experience).
You are then prioritised by:
- Qualifications - We will always give priority to highly skilled and experienced translators and interpreters as we strive to build an extremely selective database of skilled linguists.
- Location - We give priority to interpreter applicants from Greater Manchester. Applications are welcome from outside this area but may take more time to process.
- Language - Certain languages are requested more by our clients than others. In order to fulfil all our obligations we do prioritise certain languages over others if we feel the language in question is under represented in our database.
Some applications I am afraid will not be answered as we do not want to waste your time and ours. For this we apologise and hope that in pointing out common mistakes now, you may avoid such mistakes in the future.
- USE OF CAPITAL LETTERS IN YOUR APPLICATION - Any application which is typed using all CAPS is instantly deleted. In an age where it is assumed that you have good keyboard skills, we feel that this is a bad reflection on commitment and education.
- Bad spelling - You are applying to work with a translation and interpretation company - with spell checkers available there is no excuse for bad spelling. As you are applying for a job, please take the time to present yourself in the way in which you would want any prospective employer to perceive you.
- Experience - you will not be penalised for having little or no experience as an interpreter. Everyone needs to start somewhere and we do try to help train a small amount of interpreters each year. With this in mind, please be honest about your experience and try to give references if possible. Likewise however, please be realistic about your ability: we can not employ the services of a translator unless they have the relevant qualifications and / or experience in the field. Whilst we do try to give assistance and some smaller proofreader jobs out to less experienced translators, we have to maintain a high level of quality in all our translation projects.
If you feel you may have made one of these mistakes, you are welcome to
resubmit your application and it will be reviewed once again. For all of you who have yet to receive an answer from us, please be patient, we should get to you in the end!
If you where studying medicine, you could volunteer to work in hospitals in the developing world. If you were an engineer, you could spend your summer digging wells in the African desert.. as a translator - there are also many well deserving projects that could benefit your skills.
