1. Honestly acknowledge which language you specialize in.
Work exclusively into the target language you master best. Very many translators claim to know several languages. To translate well it is recommended to think in the target language; when you know too many languages, at some point you combine them and make a syntactic mix.
2. Keep up with technology.
Learn to use different CAT tools and programs that raise your productivity. This is the century of communication speed, and high-performing technology is now free and within everyone’s reach. You have no excuse to say you do not use a CAT tool or do not know how to create a glossary yourself.
3. Pay attention to detail and check the translation thoroughly before delivery.
This means asking for supporting documentation and reference materials you can consult, to make sure you understand very well what you are translating and who the end user is. A translation for a website requires extremely specific language, while a translation for internal use tolerates more common language. Never hand in a job without checking it once more, with a cool head. You will be amazed how many mistakes you will find. Nothing can disqualify you as a translator faster than a document full of spelling mistakes, which shows carelessness and a lack of seriousness.
4. Be open and flexible.
You will receive jobs of different levels of difficulty, at different prices, under different conditions. The clients of a translation agency are extremely varied: some want it fast and good, others only fast, others very good, and so on. You must know how to accept a volume discount and how to negotiate the per-page price for a difficult job or an urgent text.
5. Be available and on the ball.
Respond promptly to emails and to chat or text messages. Ask questions and answer questions in good time, not on the day of delivery when it is too late to fix anything.
6. Keep specializing in your field.
As in any other trade, you need to study continuously to grow professionally and be able to do specialized translation. Take courses, follow tutorials and learn new working methods, look for glossaries, dictionaries and interesting resources. Ask the agency you work with whether it can offer you materials or even support in this respect. (See also why a translator’s training matters.)
7. Do not plateau.
Try to discover all the depths of the source and target languages: check whether an expression or term has another equivalent, look for synonyms, be curious and creative. You may often be tempted to use the same term again and again, but for specific contexts you will certainly find very specific terms.
8. Ensure consistent quality, not sporadic.
Build glossaries, search the TM for terms to keep terminology uniform. The translator’s trade can bring you a steady income for life: do not do an excellent job only at the beginning to make a good impression. Keep the same level of quality afterwards, and even raise your standards.
9. Never deliver late.
This means learning time management and knowing exactly how much you can translate per hour from a given type of document. Do one page and time yourself so you can correctly estimate the time needed to translate the whole project. Do not forget to allow time for terminology research, creating glossaries and the final check.
10. Communicate well with the agency and learn to negotiate.
Proper communication is essential: every agency wants to work with open and communicative collaborators. Report in good time any problems you encounter with the project. Negotiate the terms and conditions of work to meet both your own needs and the needs of the translation agency.