Poll: What do you usually do when offered more work than you can handle? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What do you usually do when offered more work than you can handle?".
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| | | | Ventnai 
Spain
Local time: 12:01
German to English
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It depends on how much work I actually have. I'll try and negotiate a later deadline if one is feasible.
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 12:01
Spanish to English
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I usually either recommend a trusted colleague, or accept the work and pass it on to the colleague myself. In the latter case, I accept full responsibility for checking the translation before delivering it back to the client. Otherwise, said trusted colleague takes care of it all. I wouldn't really call it outsourcing per se, because it's among friends/colleagues.
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It depends on the reason why I can’t handle it. Is the project out of my area of expertise, is the project too big for me, or am I too busy? In the first instance, I'll turn it down explaining why and leaving the door open for future work or I’ll recommend someone else. In the second instance, I might set up a translation team and share the work with one or two trusted colleagues. In the third instance, if the work is coming from a loyal customer, I’ll try to negotiate a more manageable de... See more It depends on the reason why I can’t handle it. Is the project out of my area of expertise, is the project too big for me, or am I too busy? In the first instance, I'll turn it down explaining why and leaving the door open for future work or I’ll recommend someone else. In the second instance, I might set up a translation team and share the work with one or two trusted colleagues. In the third instance, if the work is coming from a loyal customer, I’ll try to negotiate a more manageable deadline. Otherwise, it’s no… ▲ Collapse
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Ivana Kahle
Germany
Local time: 12:01
Member (2007)
German to Croatian
+ ...
| Negotiate a later deadline | Apr 27, 2020 |
It's worth trying.
| | | | | Make them wait | Apr 27, 2020 |
I tell them when they can have it.
What is there to negotiate???
Edit: Actually I might quote them an exorbitant rate to get it earlier. Also non-negotiable.
[Edited at 2020-04-27 13:17 GMT]
| | | | Ali Sharifi
United States
Local time: 06:01
English to Persian (Farsi)
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| It has never happened to me, | Apr 27, 2020 |
It has never happened to me.
| | | | Aline Amorim
Brazil
Local time: 08:01
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| Recommend a trusted colleague | Apr 27, 2020 |
1º - It has never happened to me
2º - I Recommend a trusted colleague when it happens.
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Márcio Clemente
Portugal
Local time: 11:01
Member (2013)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| Negotiate deadline | Apr 27, 2020 |
I always negotiate the deadline. If that's not possible I just turn it down.
| | | | Kevin Fulton
United States
Local time: 06:01
German to English
| I quote my rate | Apr 27, 2020 |
I haven't had many new offers this year; my regular customers have kept me as busy as I want to be for the most part. I've referred inquiries to colleagues. In general, however, for the past several years I've found that rates sought by potential clients have been so low that negotiation would be a waste of time.
| | | | Paul Dixon
Brazil
Local time: 08:01
Portuguese to English
+ ...
In memoriam | Try to fit it in | Apr 27, 2020 |
The crisis is so bad in Brazil that if by some miracle I got more work than I could handle I would try to fit it in and, if this is not possible, negotiate the deadline. I would definitely not use MT.
As the text says 'MORE work than you can handle', I assume you can't handle it because of the volume, not because of other considerations like subject.
If I got work that I am not allowed to do for legal reasons (sworn translations - am not Brazilian, Peace Corps work - am not a US citi... See more The crisis is so bad in Brazil that if by some miracle I got more work than I could handle I would try to fit it in and, if this is not possible, negotiate the deadline. I would definitely not use MT.
As the text says 'MORE work than you can handle', I assume you can't handle it because of the volume, not because of other considerations like subject.
If I got work that I am not allowed to do for legal reasons (sworn translations - am not Brazilian, Peace Corps work - am not a US citizen) I would pass it to a trusted translator meeting the criteria. In the case of work I would not do for moral reasons (fundamentalist Christian texts, homophobic texts) I would probably just turn them down. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 08:01
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| Three choices | Apr 28, 2020 |
1. If I have time for part of it, I'll ask the client to divide it with a colleague (only with the client's prior approval);
2. If I don't have time for it, I can indicate a colleague, if the client wishes; or
3. I'll just say I'm sorry, and I can't take it.
Unfortunately, # 3 is more common. I wish it were the least common one.
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