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MA Translation
Effective CVs, jobsearch and
networking
Janet Woolnough
Purple Door Careers and Recruitment
Session overview
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Effective CVs
Cover letters
What are your options?
Looking for opportunities
Networking and social networking
Useful contacts and resources
Help from Purple Door Careers and Recruitment
Effective CVs – general points
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Length - max 2 pages
You can decide what to include/ordering
Format - clear, easy to access
Language style - concise, use active words (eg
organised, developed), avoid use of I
 Targeted towards a particular job
There is no right way to do a CV!
What is your message?
How to target effectively
 What are the
requirements of the
job?
 What evidence do you
have?
 Show the match
 Look at advert, job
description, person
specification
 Identify relevant skills
and experience
 Ordering of information
 Balance of information
 How you describe your
experience
In or out?
Personal profile
Date of birth
Nationality
Marital status
Professional memberships
References
Photo
Hobbies
GCSE subjects
A level grades
Skills
Testimonials
 CV
Freelance translator - your
marketing package
 Database profile entry – eg ProZ.com
 LinkedIn Profile
 Website / online portfolio
 Logo? Business identity?
Freelance translation CVs – key issues
 Why are you sending the CV? Who is it sent to?
 What is your USP – your identity as a translator
 Accuracy – spelling and grammar
 Ease of reading – fonts / size
 Relevance of information
 No more than 2 pages
 No photo (UK)
 For CVs held online – protect personal information
Freelance Translation CVs
http://translatorslife.wordpress.com/2011/05/30/applying-for-translation-jobs-your-freelancetranslator-cv-resume
http://www.slideshare.net/MartaStelmaszak/how-to-write-a-translators-cv
 Contact details – your Brand –
company/logo, link to
website?
 Profile
 Languages
 Professional
training/education and
memberships
 Specialist areas
 CAT tools / other specific skills
 Summary of translation
projects
 Education
 Work experience
 Other interests/achievements
 References – quotes?
Employer feedback
A translation background is essential. We normally look for
someone with attention to details but capable of keeping up with
pre-set targets.
Wiggle – a regular recruiter of in-house translators
Accuracy – not a single mistake. The smallest of typos on a CV is
unacceptable in a world where accuracy at all times is important.
Relevance – if you can’t be bothered to tailor the information on
your CV then you clearly don’t want the job that badly.
Intonation – Translation Agency
What do you think of these?
http://www.slideshare.net/anzingerd/curricul
um-vitae-englisch-2-2517562
Personal details
If your CV is held online, be careful about
including too much personal information –
e.g. address
Photo / Date of birth/ Number of children or
dogs not needed
Provide a range of contact options, e.g. Skype,
LinkedIn, link to website / online portfolio.
Rate this profile
Mature and high achieving postgraduate
translation student with excellent
communication and language skills. Able to
work effectively in a team or on own initiative.
Create your own profile
Work with a partner to create a profile.
Remember it is your headline so be clear
about:
 What you can offer
 What you want
Languages, specialist areas and project
experience
Languages
Translation language pairs; other languages and levels
Areas of specialism
Translation summary / project portfolio
Include language, field, description of project, client?
(careful about confidentiality)
Specialist training
References /testimonials
Other areas to include
Other education
Other work experience
Interests and activities
References /testimonials
For these sections think how you can show evidence of
relevant skills or specialist knowledge
Your website / online portfolio
 How much detail should be provided - confidentiality issues?
 Use www.proz.com for links to translator websites / profiles to
generate ideas e.g. http://www.plumetranslations.co.uk/
Useful sites for advice on translator portfolios
 http://www.mtmtranslations.com/4/post/2014/02/how-tocreate-an-effective-portfolio-for-your-translationbusiness.html
 http://rmttranslation.com/portfolio/
 http://websitesfortranslators.co.uk/webdesign/portfolio/
When it goes wrong!
CVs for other language jobs
Example jobs
Target to meet the needs of the employers
Broader skills and experience are likely to be
needed – not just your language skills
Purple Door CV guide
Marketing your education
Degree
How relevant is the
content?
Overview or detail
Skills developed
Dissertation/relevant
projects
Other education
A level grades – in or
out?
GCSEs – 10 GCSE
C+ including Maths,
English and Science
Marketing your experience
Outline key
responsibilities and
achievements
Make ‘unrelated jobs’
relevant by showing
skills developed
Consider clustering your
experience e.g.
Relevant experience –
other experience
Lots of similar
experience? - cluster
and analyse together
Other interests and achievements
Can include,
voluntary work,
positions of
responsibility – e.g.
course rep, other
interests
Don’t just state – analyse
What did the role involve?
Bring out skills
What impression are you creating?
Reading, chess and needlework
Socialising with friends?
CV Formats
Chronological CV
• Qualifications and experience in reverse chronological order
• Especially useful if your degree or previous work experience
relates closely to the jobs for which you are applying.
Skills Based CV
• Use to highlight important technical and
transferable/interpersonal skills acquired and demonstrated in
various contexts
• Especially good if you want to draw attention to important skills.
Covering letters
Use a business style and
be concise
Suggested layout
Para 1 - Who you are
and why you are writing
Use the correct form of
Para 2 - Why interested
ending -Yours sincerely or
in role/organisation
Yours faithfully
Para 3 - What you can
offer
Aim for 3 – 4 paragraphs
Finish with - Positive
on one side of A4 paper
ending
Applying Outside UK
 Check conventions for country concerned –
www.prospects.ac.uk
 Handwritten letters the norm in some European
countries
 Photos?
 Europass CV and Language Passport?
 Check regulations e.g. visa rules
Translation – finding opportunities
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Speculative approaches to agencies
Use of professional body registers and jobsites
http://www.translationjobs.co.uk/
www.proz.com – good portal for translation jobsobs
 EU roles - http://europa.eu/epso/index_en.htm
- General administrator or translation competitions
- Paid traineeships
Other language jobs
 Wide range of jobs require language skills in wide
range of sectors: banking/finance; sales/marketing;
customer service …
 Level of experience needed will vary
 Roles may be varied, possibly including some
translation
 Could help you develop ‘specialist area’ for use in
translation later
 Look for opportunities with specialist recruitment
agencies/jobsites (see previous slide)
Language specialist jobsites
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Specialist recruitment agencies/jobsites
www.eurolondon.com
www.languagebusiness.co.uk
www.toplanguagejobs.co.uk
www.coriniumlanguage.co.uk
www.multilingualvacancies.com
Graduate Training Schemes
 With large companies and organisations
 In wide range of job functions – training provided
 Language skills could be useful – company could be
operating globally
 www.prospects.ac.uk www.targetjobs.co.uk
 www.port.ac.uk/careers
 www.eurograduate.com
Professional membership
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Directory of members for speculative applications
Register of linguists
Training / networking events
Mentoring / advice e.g. ITI Orientation Course, ITI
Professional Support Group
 Evidence of commitment to profession
 www.iti.org.uk, www.iol.org.uk
Creative jobsearch
 Research companies using business directories/professional
bodies
 Create targeted speculative applications
 Use your networks and contacts
 Use social networking techniques – Twitter and Linkedin
increasingly used in Jobsearch
One in four graduate jobs gained through
networking and internships
Speculative approach
 See speculative application guide
 Professional Directories and Business Directories e.g.
Hampshire Business Directory
 www.yell.com
 What do Portsmouth Graduates Do?
www.port.ac.uk/intranet/employability - intranet
only
 Word of mouth recommendation
Benefits of networking
"Networking can be scary, but about 70% of jobs are found
through networking. Students who spend their time
trolling job boards should instead spend that time making
solid connections with people who are respected and
involved in the workforce, industry experts and alumni,
and spend only 30% of their time looking at job listings.’’
Lindsey Pollak
It’s not just the person you are talking to –
it's all the people they know
Never underestimate anyone. You never know
who they used to be, who they are connected
to now and who they might go on to be.
Network with the intention of helping other
people, not yourself.
http://www.4networking.biz/Pages/Tips
Build your confidence in
networking
Where / how can you network?
What skills and techniques help to make
networking effective?
Who’s in your network?
 Try this suggestion from the University of the
Arts, London:
 http://www.careers-creativeliving.co.uk/images/resources/new_community_map.pdf
Who can you network with?
Their
friends
Their work
colleagues
Their
friends
Their
friends
Neighbours
University
Friends
My
Networ
k
Their
friends
Family
School /
college
friends
Clubs/
societies/
sport
conatcts
Work
Colleagues
Their
contacts
Professional
contacts
Acquaintances
Social
contacts
Their work
colleagues
Their work
colleagues
Voluntary
work
contacts
Their
friends
Their
friends
Their
friends
Their work
colleagues
Growing and maintaining networks
Networking using (professional)
social media
Networking using social media
Google yourself
Be professional
Manage your online presence
Use to search for jobs
 http://careers.guardian.co.uk/how-to-get-on-employersradar?goback=%2Egde_4146677_member_177877468
.
Build a professional profile
Make connections
Ask for recommendations
Follow people and companies
Join groups
Join in discussions
Be proactive
Be an expert
The LinkedIn profile
Elements in your profile:
 Basic info: title, summary, specialities, experience, education,
links to blogs/Twitter/websites etc, honours and awards,
interests, personal info., contact settings,
 Additional info: recommendations, groups, blog feed,
Amazon reading list, Slideshare presentations etc
 Example profile:
 http://uk.linkedin.com/in/carleycummings
LinkedIn groups
 Joining groups will help you expand your network of contacts
 Can automatically view most profiles of (and send message
to) people in same group
Tips:
 See if groups are UK specific (no location search yet but can
enter ‘UK’ as a keyword)
 Look for high membership groups
 Change your settings for the group to ‘weekly digest’ or deselect the Digest email box
In addition to this
leaflet, LinkedIn has
produced a range of
leaflets and short
films outlining how
to use LinkedIn
effectively.
http://students.linked
in.com/
Twitter
Tweet responsibly and professionally
Find people outside your network
Follow people and talk to them!
Link to your own content
Follow companies and recruitment
companies/agencies
Blogging
Blog about your subject or career passion
Follow and comment on the blogs of others
that interest
Be professional
Be informed
Build a positive professional reputation
Remember
 Be proactive
 Be professional
 Manage your online presence – Google yourself – what
impression do you create
 Stay focused and positive!
Help from Purple Door
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Drop in for help with CVs
Book an appointment for help with application forms
Workshops and events
Lots of useful information at www.port.ac.uk/careers
Online jobsboard for graduate jobs, part-time jobs and
volunteering
 In-house recruitment service finding graduate
opportunities and volunteering in the local area
Enterprise
Have you got an idea for a business or social
enterprise? Meet our Student Enterprise Team,
they offer:
 Drop-in clinics for advice on your ideas
 Workshops to help you develop your ideas further
 A Social Start-up programme for those interested
in social enterprise
Careers and Recruitment Social Media
Find out what’s happening
facebook.com/purpledoorcareers
andrecruitment
twitter.com/PurpleDoorCR
Linkedin: Purple Door Careers
Recruitment UoP
Over 30 FREE events a month! Visit our Facebook events page to find out what’s
happening!
Contact us:
Purple Door Careers and Recruitment
Purple Door
28 Guildhall Walk
Portsmouth
02392 842684
www.port.ac.uk/careers