Would you accept a translation job before seeing the source files? Thread poster: Mark Harris
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Mark Harris
France
Local time: 03:37
French to English
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I've recently begun working with a translation agency which posts translation projects onto their workspace, which are seemingly made available to all translators who work with them. I receive an email notifying me of the availability of the project and I then need to accept it before another translator grabs it first. I find this process rather stressful since I am currently rather desperate for work and experience, having only recently started, so it feels like a race to seize the project befo... See more I've recently begun working with a translation agency which posts translation projects onto their workspace, which are seemingly made available to all translators who work with them. I receive an email notifying me of the availability of the project and I then need to accept it before another translator grabs it first. I find this process rather stressful since I am currently rather desperate for work and experience, having only recently started, so it feels like a race to seize the project before another translator gets there first.
For example, a job was posted today for around 12,000 words, which I was very keen to accept, but the agency hadn't even posted a description of the job or any source documents to review first. Is this common practice with some agencies? Is it entirely reckless to accept a translation project without first reviewing the documents? I am wary of working on any translation until I at least know what type of text it is. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Basically never | Sep 5, 2019 |
If the agency provides a clear description of the subject matter and is an agency I know and trust, then maybe. But basically I never accept a text without seeing it first.
[Edited at 2019-09-05 11:00 GMT]
| | | | Samuel Murray 
Netherlands
Local time: 03:37
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
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| Accept and then unaccept | Sep 5, 2019 |
Mark Harris wrote:
For example, a job was posted today for around 12,000 words, which I was very keen to accept, but the agency hadn't even posted a description of the job or any source documents to review first.
Some agencies do not seem to realise that this is important information, or sometimes the PMs are in such a hurry that they neglect to add a description. If you have such a client, I suggest that you consider the "accept" button to be an "available" button. This means that you accept the job (i.e. say that you're available), then take a look at the files, and then unaccept it again if you realise that you can't do it. This tactic will only work if you get access to the files fairly quickly, or if you can convince the PM to send you the files fairly soon after you've accepted the task. Remember, you can cancel a job at any time you realise that you are unable to do the job (but: the sooner the better).
| | | | Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 02:37
Member (2007)
English
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| Tell them officially that your "accepts" are unofficial for a set period. | Sep 5, 2019 |
Samuel Murray wrote:
I suggest that you consider the "accept" button to be an "available" button. This means that you accept the job (i.e. say that you're available), then take a look at the files, and then unaccept it again if you realise that you can't do it. This tactic will only work if you get access to the files fairly quickly, or if you can convince the PM to send you the files fairly soon after you've accepted the task. Remember, you can cancel a job at any time you realise that you are unable to do the job (but: the sooner the better).
I find it's best to steer clear of that type of client altogether, but if that isn't something you feel you can do at the present time, I think the above is the best way to go. But I'd drop them an email first to get it down in black and white that you might, in exceptional circumstances, need to refuse a job once you've seen the text in full. Emphasise that you'll keep it to a minimum, you'll back out within nn hours of viewing the text, and that it's only for cases where you feel you wouldn't be able to provide your usual high quality. Once accepted, jobs shouldn't be rejected just because they don't particularly interest you or something better crops up.
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Mark Harris
France
Local time: 03:37
French to English
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TOPIC STARTER | I was thinking along the same lines | Sep 5, 2019 |
Thanks for the feedback. They don't really have a simple way of cancelling a project. It's a matter of sending an email and explaining why you can no longer work on a project, and would like it to be revoked. I have already done that once, after accepting a project and then ending up with a PDF of handwritten French scribble which I could barely read. I'm not accustomed to such high-pressure competition, fighting against other translators to get your hands on a project before they do. In fairnes... See more Thanks for the feedback. They don't really have a simple way of cancelling a project. It's a matter of sending an email and explaining why you can no longer work on a project, and would like it to be revoked. I have already done that once, after accepting a project and then ending up with a PDF of handwritten French scribble which I could barely read. I'm not accustomed to such high-pressure competition, fighting against other translators to get your hands on a project before they do. In fairness, they do sometimes attach the source documents, but it is difficult to properly review them before someone else quickly claims the project and you miss your opportunity. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Depends on the circumstances | Sep 5, 2019 |
I do have clients for whom I do regular work and know roughly what I shall be dealing with, in which case I do not hesitate to accept. But with those who send me a variety of things I always insist on seeing the text before I make a decision on whether to accept. In your case, the only option seems to be grab the job then reject it if the content is unacceptable. I am sure your client must have some mechanism in place to enable you to do this, but the situation is far from ideal
| | | | Kevin Fulton
United States
Local time: 21:37
German to English
Mark Harris wrote:
I've recently begun working with a translation agency which posts translation projects onto their workspace, which are seemingly made available to all translators who work with them. I receive an email notifying me of the availability of the project and I then need to accept it before another translator grabs it first. I find this process rather stressful since I am currently rather desperate for work and experience, having only recently started, so it feels like a race to seize the project before another translator gets there first.
[snip]
Is it entirely reckless to accept a translation project without first reviewing the documents? I am wary of working on any translation until I at least know what type of text it is.
It is unfortunate that our business has devolved to the point that this type of exploitation is common. I find it unfathomable that an agency engaging in such practices could expect to provide any sort of quality to its clients, but it's plain to see that lots of unqualified translators are taking projects that are well beyond their abilities*. This is evidenced by translators regularly posting multiple "non-pro" level queries on KudoZ. Unfortunately the market is such that this phenomenon will only become more widespread.
You should be commended on your caution. I hope your business grows enough so that you aren't forced to continue to rely on such clients / platforms.
*Of course, many – if not most – of us have "stretched" in the course of our careers to take on assignments from good clients.
| | | | Mark Harris
France
Local time: 03:37
French to English
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TOPIC STARTER | A blessing for some and a curse for others | Sep 5, 2019 |
Kevin Fulton wrote: Mark Harris wrote:
I've recently begun working with a translation agency which posts translation projects onto their workspace, which are seemingly made available to all translators who work with them. I receive an email notifying me of the availability of the project and I then need to accept it before another translator grabs it first. I find this process rather stressful since I am currently rather desperate for work and experience, having only recently started, so it feels like a race to seize the project before another translator gets there first.
[snip]
Is it entirely reckless to accept a translation project without first reviewing the documents? I am wary of working on any translation until I at least know what type of text it is. It is unfortunate that our business has devolved to the point that this type of exploitation is common. I find it unfathomable that an agency engaging in such practices could expect to provide any sort of quality to its clients, but it's plain to see that lots of unqualified translators are taking projects that are well beyond their abilities*. This is evidenced by translators regularly posting multiple "non-pro" level queries on KudoZ. Unfortunately the market is such that this phenomenon will only become more widespread. You should be commended on your caution. I hope your business grows enough so that you aren't forced to continue to rely on such clients / platforms. *Of course, many – if not most – of us have "stretched" in the course of our careers to take on assignments from good clients.
I suppose agencies like these, who are less choosy about the experience/expertise of their translators, are useful to translators who are just starting out and keen to build up their experience. Otherwise you end up stuck in the cycle of no-one being willing to employ you since you have no experience, and not being able to gain experience because no-one will hire you. Unfortunately, this kind of competitive claiming of projects forces translators to accept projects quickly with little time to consider whether they are capable of completing the work. I have learned that it is much more sensible to turn down a job that is outside of my expertise, than try and accept everything and gain a bad reputation for substandard work.
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| You are absolutely right | Sep 5, 2019 |
No point in repeating what others have said, but I agree.
Any half-decent agency will respect translators who know their own limitations and turn down work they can´t do well.
You will have to push your limits at times, but there is a difference between pushing limits and floundering about where you are out of your depth.
Besides, although the agency might try to push any financial liability over to you, they are the ones who have to deal with unsatisfied clients and sort all ... See more No point in repeating what others have said, but I agree.
Any half-decent agency will respect translators who know their own limitations and turn down work they can´t do well.
You will have to push your limits at times, but there is a difference between pushing limits and floundering about where you are out of your depth.
Besides, although the agency might try to push any financial liability over to you, they are the ones who have to deal with unsatisfied clients and sort all the other issues if you can´t deliver the quality they need.
Try to go for smaller agencies if you can find them. They are more flexible, and some are helpful to promising beginners. In any case they look at who you are, not just how many boxes you can tick, so if you are good they want to know. They worry less about how much experience you have if they like your qualifications and your CV - including your general background and interests.
Many of my favourite clients are small, and if you suit each other, they send more work.
Best of luck! ▲ Collapse
| | | | | You have to start somewhere | Sep 5, 2019 |
I had to do exactly what you mentioned when starting out, and sometimes you get dreadful projects, but you have to start somewhere!
We can be all righteous and idealistic but the reality is when starting out we are desperate to work and get paid!
Tip - work as much as you can, and then with every spare moment you have, market yourself to new clients.
By being forced to try new things, I have somehow found myself specialising in a subject matter I never wou... See more I had to do exactly what you mentioned when starting out, and sometimes you get dreadful projects, but you have to start somewhere!
We can be all righteous and idealistic but the reality is when starting out we are desperate to work and get paid!
Tip - work as much as you can, and then with every spare moment you have, market yourself to new clients.
By being forced to try new things, I have somehow found myself specialising in a subject matter I never would’ve volunteered to do, and really liking the situation I’m in right now!
DJH ▲ Collapse
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Never from a new client, all the time from my “regulars”, but I must say that all the agencies I’ve been working with send the files to be translated directly to me by email, not through a platform.
| | | | Mark Harris
France
Local time: 03:37
French to English
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TOPIC STARTER | My plan exactly | Sep 6, 2019 |
Dylan Jan Hartmann wrote:
I had to do exactly what you mentioned when starting out, and sometimes you get dreadful projects, but you have to start somewhere!
We can be all righteous and idealistic but the reality is when starting out we are desperate to work and get paid!
Tip - work as much as you can, and then with every spare moment you have, market yourself to new clients.
By being forced to try new things, I have somehow found myself specialising in a subject matter I never would’ve volunteered to do, and really liking the situation I’m in right now!
DJH
That is my strategy essentially. I may have to work in a way which is less than ideal right now, in order to get work, get paid and gain experience. In the meantime I will be making myself more marketable and eventually I should be able to be a bit more selective. The key dilemma I have right now is finding the right balance between not being afraid to try new things, and accepting work that is outside of my abilities. I feel like I'm making progress though!
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Joakim Braun
Sweden
Local time: 03:37
German to Swedish
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| Rule of thumb | Sep 6, 2019 |
1. Never, ever, accept a job sight unseen...
2. ... except in the case of an established customer relationship, from a PM whose judgment you trust, from an end customer you've both worked with several times before and with a known type of material.
There's no good reason to accept a job sight unseen from previously unknown parties.
For one thing, the translator has to be confident of her/his ability to deliver quality in the set timeframe.
[Bearbe... See more 1. Never, ever, accept a job sight unseen...
2. ... except in the case of an established customer relationship, from a PM whose judgment you trust, from an end customer you've both worked with several times before and with a known type of material.
There's no good reason to accept a job sight unseen from previously unknown parties.
For one thing, the translator has to be confident of her/his ability to deliver quality in the set timeframe.
[Bearbeitet am 2019-09-06 21:13 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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