| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | How to impress clients (just once) Thread poster: Margaret Schroeder
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Last week an agent, S., whom I work with, was looking for someone local in an area that I don\'t cover. Using the Search for ProZ, I was able to find her someone with the qualifications she needed. She contacted that person and ended up sending her the job. This was a job with a firm, tight, deadline, an aspect which was emphasized to the translator.
Today I talked with S. and asked her how it turned out. Well, they had agreed that the translation was due first thing in the ... See more Last week an agent, S., whom I work with, was looking for someone local in an area that I don\'t cover. Using the Search for ProZ, I was able to find her someone with the qualifications she needed. She contacted that person and ended up sending her the job. This was a job with a firm, tight, deadline, an aspect which was emphasized to the translator.
Today I talked with S. and asked her how it turned out. Well, they had agreed that the translation was due first thing in the morning on the deadline day, but by noon, the translator hadn\'t sent anything and didn\'t answer her phone or her cell phone when S. tried to call her. Finally, a little after 2:00 pm, S. was able to contact someone who works with the translator, and that person said, \"Oh, it was finished this morning; if you didn\'t get it I\'ll send it again.\" Well, the file arrived, but when S. checked for the time of the last saved version it was 2:15 pm.
There is one Pro who won\'t be getting any more jobs from one agent. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Werner George Patels, M.A., C.Tran.(ATIO) (X)
Local time: 21:47
German to English
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| This site does not have as many "professionals" as some would have you believe! | Feb 12, 2002 |
Remember: unless the person has verifiable credentials, you cannot possibly know how much of the profile description is really true (I have seen several profiles that are full of blatant fabrications).
I never outsource anything to anyone unless that person meets standard quality requirements (and that includes verifiable credentials).
| | | | laurab
Mexico
Local time: 20:47
English to Italian
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| how do we get credentials? | Feb 12, 2002 |
Hi everyone,
I was just wondering, how can anyone get credentials if jobs are usually given to people who already have some and maybe, let\'s say, a minimum two year experience???? I realize that translators must be professional, but who will ever trust me and give me a chance to work if I only just started and have no credentials? (Apart maybe people who know me and know I\'m serious, honest etc etc). I don\'t mean to be controversial and criticize, but really can anyone who already h... See more Hi everyone,
I was just wondering, how can anyone get credentials if jobs are usually given to people who already have some and maybe, let\'s say, a minimum two year experience???? I realize that translators must be professional, but who will ever trust me and give me a chance to work if I only just started and have no credentials? (Apart maybe people who know me and know I\'m serious, honest etc etc). I don\'t mean to be controversial and criticize, but really can anyone who already has credentials and experience help us and tell us how we can get recognition? (Not academically. Titles mean nothing if someone isn\'t, as is the case in this forum, punctual!).
Thank you all, bye.
laura ▲ Collapse
| | | | | don't put your buttocks on the line for people you don't know | Feb 12, 2002 |
Quote:
I never outsource anything to anyone unless that person meets standard quality requirements (and that includes verifiable credentials).
Hi there,
Very true, but I don\'t really go by credentials. I never outsource anything if I have not seen how well the colleague translates (yes, side by side, original and source). And I always have them send the files to me so I ... See more Quote:
I never outsource anything to anyone unless that person meets standard quality requirements (and that includes verifiable credentials).
Hi there,
Very true, but I don\'t really go by credentials. I never outsource anything if I have not seen how well the colleague translates (yes, side by side, original and source). And I always have them send the files to me so I can give it a final look. As for referrals, I\'ve given a few, but again, I only referred people I had worked with before or who came highly recommended by colleagues I trust completely.
That seems to be keeping me out of trouble so far.
Cheers!
ME
[ This Message was edited by: on 2002-02-12 22:43 ] ▲ Collapse
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Werner George Patels, M.A., C.Tran.(ATIO) (X)
Local time: 21:47
German to English
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I should specify my previous comments:
I go by verified credentials when asked for referrals (but, to be frank, I only refer translators certified/accredited by one of the Canadian associations or ATA).
For outsourcing purposes, I go by verified credentials AND samples of previous work and/or short tests (rarely).
| | | | | There *is* another explanation | Feb 13, 2002 |
From your text:
> Finally, a little after 2:00 pm,
> S. was able to contact someone who
> works with the translator, and that
> person said, \"Oh, it was finished this
> morning; if you didn\'t get it I\'ll
> send it again.\"
> Well, the file arrived, but when S.
> checked for the time of the last
> saved version it was 2:15 pm.
Is ... See more From your text:
> Finally, a little after 2:00 pm,
> S. was able to contact someone who
> works with the translator, and that
> person said, \"Oh, it was finished this
> morning; if you didn\'t get it I\'ll
> send it again.\"
> Well, the file arrived, but when S.
> checked for the time of the last
> saved version it was 2:15 pm.
Is it possible that \"that person\" decided to give the file a look-see to make sure everything was OK before sending it and saved it instead of simply quitting before sending it?
I\'m not saying this is what happened, just that there is more than one interpretation of the facts.
Pierre
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| | | | Camara
United States
Local time: 21:47
Spanish to English
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| Dear Goodwords | Feb 13, 2002 |
I wonder why you did not think of me when you were in need. Oh why! (I have to put in a little good words here once in a while for myself ya know). In any matter, it\'s good that you pour your heart out. That will show that two timer Proz, he/she won\'t be hearing from you again or that client!
Oh and to my surprise your a girl!
Happy trails! (for the mountain bikers out there) and to all the rest bon apetit!
:X
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Unfortunately, with this approach you totally close the market for the young people, who do not have so \"valuable\" credentials. This brings people to the situation, when even the diplomatic notes in different countries are so poorly translated that they are hardly readable. This work is done by fully certified translators with diplomatic posts, etc. Besides, look at the prices, offered on world market, and ask the client, is he ready to give work to translator who is not certified, but 10 time... See more Unfortunately, with this approach you totally close the market for the young people, who do not have so \"valuable\" credentials. This brings people to the situation, when even the diplomatic notes in different countries are so poorly translated that they are hardly readable. This work is done by fully certified translators with diplomatic posts, etc. Besides, look at the prices, offered on world market, and ask the client, is he ready to give work to translator who is not certified, but 10 times cheaper.
Nothing personal, eh. ▲ Collapse
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Erika Pavelka (X) 
Local time: 21:47
French to English
| Recommend people you know only... | Feb 13, 2002 |
...or direct them to the ProZ site yourself. It\'s a shame that that translator turned out to be so unprofessional, but it\'s not worth risking your reputation for strangers.
Erika
| | | | | A different point, it wasn' t outsourcing. | Feb 13, 2002 |
Actually S. didn\'t engage the translator on my recommendation. The situation was that I gave her the contact information without any recommendation; I told her \"I don\'t know this person, but she has
the characteristics you are looking for.\" S. then talked to the translator herself, and on the basis of that contact, decided to engage that person directly herself.
My point was that this Pro exhibited behaviour which we should all do well to avoid if we want to k... See more Actually S. didn\'t engage the translator on my recommendation. The situation was that I gave her the contact information without any recommendation; I told her \"I don\'t know this person, but she has
the characteristics you are looking for.\" S. then talked to the translator herself, and on the basis of that contact, decided to engage that person directly herself.
My point was that this Pro exhibited behaviour which we should all do well to avoid if we want to keep our clients and our reputations. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Werner George Patels, M.A., C.Tran.(ATIO) (X)
Local time: 21:47
German to English
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| So, it was a referral, then | Feb 13, 2002 |
Same thing: you have to be careful because you can get burnt in the process.
You see, Good Words, when I look at the entry of a certified translator in the ATIO directory, I know that this information is reliable (sure, it does not say much about the actual quality of his/her work, but it is a good start). But ProZ profiles cannot be taken at face value at all (trust me: I could write a book about false member profiles by now  ... See more Same thing: you have to be careful because you can get burnt in the process.
You see, Good Words, when I look at the entry of a certified translator in the ATIO directory, I know that this information is reliable (sure, it does not say much about the actual quality of his/her work, but it is a good start). But ProZ profiles cannot be taken at face value at all (trust me: I could write a book about false member profiles by now ). ▲ Collapse
| | | | Erika Pavelka (X)
Local time: 21:47
French to English
| Perhaps not a lost cause then! | Feb 13, 2002 |
Quote:
On 2002-02-13 14:26, GoodWords wrote:
Actually S. didn\'t engage the translator on my recommendation. The situation was that I gave her the contact information without any recommendation; I told her \"I don\'t know this person, but she has
the characteristics you are looking for.\" S. then talked to the translator herself, and on the basis of that contact, decided to engage that person directly herself.
... See more Quote:
On 2002-02-13 14:26, GoodWords wrote:
Actually S. didn\'t engage the translator on my recommendation. The situation was that I gave her the contact information without any recommendation; I told her \"I don\'t know this person, but she has
the characteristics you are looking for.\" S. then talked to the translator herself, and on the basis of that contact, decided to engage that person directly herself.
If you specified that you didn\'t know this person, and therefore couldn\'t vouch for the quality of their service, then there\'s no reason the agency shouldn\'t give you any more work.
Clients are always taking a chance when working with new suppliers - it\'s part of business. But I hope they don\'t hold the outcome of this situation against you.
Good luck,
Erika
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Paul Roige (X)
Spain
Local time: 03:47
English to Spanish
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| Not just the translator should be competent | Feb 13, 2002 |
Well that\'s the problem of agencies/outsourcers not having done the homework all of them should do beforehand, that is, get themselves a list of reliable translators instead of rushing to get one to do the job in the last minute. Sick of those URGENT! postings too, really. That\'s just an instance of how free-lancers are treated by many agencies/outsourcers, we only seem to come into existence when there is an urgent job (that is: a problem on the desk). Not very business-like really. And stupi... See more Well that\'s the problem of agencies/outsourcers not having done the homework all of them should do beforehand, that is, get themselves a list of reliable translators instead of rushing to get one to do the job in the last minute. Sick of those URGENT! postings too, really. That\'s just an instance of how free-lancers are treated by many agencies/outsourcers, we only seem to come into existence when there is an urgent job (that is: a problem on the desk). Not very business-like really. And stupid things occur, no wonder. But I know who the good ones are...
Paul  )
(A non-ATA, non-IoL-yet, non-NASA, non-NAATI, non-Christian, non-Canadian, non-Man Utd., non-a-thing, please-forget-me translator)
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| | | | | Continuing the discussion... | Feb 13, 2002 |
Don\'t get me wrong... by answering your comments, I\'m not trying to argue or contradict anyone, just carrying on an interesting and enlightening discussion.
My original posting wasn\'t made in the spirit of a complaint or asking advice, just to share an \"interesting\" situation that I found myself peripherally involved in.
As you mentioned, Erika, one option we have when someone we know asks for a translator, is to direct them to ProZ. In this case, ... See more Don\'t get me wrong... by answering your comments, I\'m not trying to argue or contradict anyone, just carrying on an interesting and enlightening discussion.
My original posting wasn\'t made in the spirit of a complaint or asking advice, just to share an \"interesting\" situation that I found myself peripherally involved in.
As you mentioned, Erika, one option we have when someone we know asks for a translator, is to direct them to ProZ. In this case, I did so, but with value-added; since I know my way around the site and S. wasn\'t acquainted with it, plus she was working under a tight deadline from her end client, I did the searching for her and presented her with a list of people who partially filled the characteristics she was looking for. One person filled them totally, and this was the person she ended up making the arrangement with.
Werner, I guess that by only recommending people with verified credentials, you can be sure that they know what they are doing as far as translation goes, but... what do their credentials guarantee about their business practices? Indeed, as one of those renegades who studied translation in the University of Life, I feel that there is only that much more need for the services I offer to be flawless. In other words, since my degree doesn\'t prove anything about my linguistic abilities, it has to be my services that speak for the quality of my work; error-free texts, appropriate style, on-time delivery and clear communication with the client about their needs and requirements.
Far from feeling abused because of this incident, I was feeling a bit smug, because I\'ve never missed a deadline (yet, touch wood).
Interested in your feedback. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Werner George Patels, M.A., C.Tran.(ATIO) (X)
Local time: 21:47
German to English
+ ...
| Reply to GoodWords | Feb 13, 2002 |
Good point. Thanks for raising it.
Yes, it does tell you something about their business ethics: as certified professionals, they all subscribe to a code of professional conduct and ethics (e.g., \"Never accept work outside of your expertise and language pairs\" - a rule that a large number of ProZ members and others seem to ignore on a regular basis). And it is not just some \"form paper\"; failure to comply will cost you your status and membership (as well as any other lega... See more Good point. Thanks for raising it.
Yes, it does tell you something about their business ethics: as certified professionals, they all subscribe to a code of professional conduct and ethics (e.g., \"Never accept work outside of your expertise and language pairs\" - a rule that a large number of ProZ members and others seem to ignore on a regular basis). And it is not just some \"form paper\"; failure to comply will cost you your status and membership (as well as any other legal consequences, depending on the situation and the nature of the problem).
That is my main reason for exclusively going with accredited professionals: they follow a code of conduct and ethics. It also tells you something about the commitment that an individual is willing to make to his/her chosen profession!
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