Are you considering a career as a translator? If so, you are choosing a flexible, interesting job which will give you an insight into many different subject matters, and provide opportunities for foreign travel and working with some of the world's most prestigious organisations. On the other hand, you may find life as a freelance translator in particular lonely, erratically-paid and stressful, trying to meet unrealistic deadlines and possibly working to supplement your freelance earnings with other paid employment, increasing your workload and stress levels even more. Still interested? Then have a look at our guide to working as a translator.

First of all, how do you actually qualify to become a translator? The qualifications (educational and personal) we have listed below may seem endless, but remember that translation is a highly specialised skill and it is not enough simply to speak a foreign language. As well as having the intellectual ability to successfully convert documents from source to target text, a competent translator will be an 'all-rounder' with a broad general education and marketing and business skills (particularly if he or she is intending to work on a freelance basis).

These are the recommended educational or professional requirements for translators:

  • A thorough knowledge of at least two foreign languages. This usually implies a university degree in the languages, although this may not necessarily be essential. A third language may give you the edge over your competitors, as may knowledge of a minority language.
  • A postgraduate or specialist qualification in translation such as the Institute of Linguist's Diploma in Translation.
  • An extensive general education.
  • Proven skills in the mother tongue. This includes a natural flair for language, and strength in grammar, spelling and writing skills.
  • First-hand experience of the target culture, for example a year abroad as part of your degree course or work experience in that country.
  • IT skills. This includes a reasonable touch-typing speed - essential for keeping to tight deadlines.
  • Membership of a professional body such as the Institute of Linguists or Institute of Translation and Interpreting. Not only will this provide a set of professional standards for you to aspire to, but will be a valuable source of support and advice throughout your career.
  • Expertise in a specialist field is useful, for example finance, insurance, engineering or chemistry. This may mean that you have formal qualifications or work experience in the specialist subject.
  • Work experience with a translation agency is also an advantage when it comes to getting your foot in the door.

In addition, there are a number of personal attributes that a translator needs to demonstrate:

  • An enquiring mind and an interest in current affairs and general knowledge, and the desire to keep up to date with this knowledge and other necessary skills.
  • The ability to work quickly and under pressure.
  • Problem-solving skills, for example when asked to deal with a subject or terminology that you are unfamiliar with.
  • This implies flexibility and adaptability as well.
  • Self-discipline and self-reliance (particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to freelance translators).
  • Excellent communication skills - a prerequisite for any career, but particularly important for marketing yourself and liasing with clients if you are a freelancer.
  • Discretion and respect for sensitive information.
  • Reliability - essential for meeting deadlines!
  • If you're a freelancer - business acumen. You must be able to market your skills and master the basics of running a small business.

If you've got this far without being put off, you generally have two routes to follow if you want a career in translation - you can either work as an in-house translator for a company or organisation or set up as a freelancer. Both come with their own advantages and disadvantages.

In-house translators are generally employed by large or international organisations such as the European Commission, the United Nations or The World Bank, governmental bodies such as GCHQ, multinational companies or translation agencies. The smaller the institution, the less likely it is to employ full-time in-house translators. This obviously provides job security and benefits such as a regular salary, company pension and career progression, affording the opportunity to work your way up to senior translator or department head. Working for such an organisation is likely to provide you with the opportunity to travel and work abroad, too. However, compared to freelance translation, the variety of subject matter you deal with may be limited - you are likely to be restricted to documents exclusive to the business of your employer (unless you are working in an agency). Vacancies are often advertised in the UK broadsheets, in the main foreign daily newspapers and on the web.

The majority of translators work in a freelance capacity. Starting out may not be easy, particularly if you lack experience, so try to gain some practical experience with an agency, for example, who will be happy to supply you with regular work once they know you. As far as equipment goes, you will have to invest in the usual office tools, such as a PC, fax machine (if your PC doesn't have this facility), telephone and answering facility, internet access, dictionaries and reference books and possibly specialist CAT (Computer Assisted Translation) software. Apart from kitting out your office, you will also have to decide on your working procedures, for example how much you will charge (translation is usually priced per word or 1,000 words) without either pricing yourself out of the market or not charging as much as your skills are worth, deciding whether you will charge extra for urgent or complicated jobs, and how you will market yourself on a short- and long-term basis. Working as a freelance gives you the freedom and flexibility to work for yourself and on your own terms, but is countered by the fact that your salary will not be regular, and will be non-existent during some periods so you might need a second source of income to fall back on. Also, apart from associates working in similar conditions, you will be working on your own for much of your time. In addition, there is no particular career progression for freelance translators, unless they switch to in-house translation or an entirely different career.

All in all, for the right candidates, translation is an intellectually rewarding profession, and offers flexibility and opportunities for contact with a foreign language and culture that is hard to match in other professions.