Poll: Do you think most of your clients' screening processes for new translators are strict enough?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
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Jan 27, 2019

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you think most of your clients' screening processes for new translators are strict enough?".

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Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 18:18
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
I don't know Jan 27, 2019

I haven’t the faintest idea what their screening processes are: I have the fortune of working with some of them for so long that I don’t even remember how they contacted me…

Jennifer Forbes
 
Ricki Farn
Ricki Farn
Germany
Local time: 19:18
English to German
I don't know Jan 27, 2019

Translators are like drywallers, they come in calibres from "two left hands" to "mastery", and it's very, very hard to find the one that suits both your house and your budget. I have no idea how our clients do it (but some of them must be successful at it, because they chose us )

 
Yetta Jensen Bogarde
Yetta Jensen Bogarde  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 19:18
Member (2012)
English to Danish
+ ...
I don't know Jan 27, 2019

but I tell them my opinion if, as a reviewer, I see very bad or very good translations.

Ricki Farn
 
Anton Konashenok
Anton Konashenok  Identity Verified
Czech Republic
Local time: 19:18
French to English
+ ...
They are way too lax Jan 27, 2019

I can only speak about my biggest two clients (large international agencies) - their translator selection policies are way too lax: at least a third of the translations I received for proofreading/editing were utterly substandard, so I retired from proofreading altogether to save my nerves and time.

[Edited at 2019-01-27 23:27 GMT]


Vesa Korhonen
 
Maxi Schwarz
Maxi Schwarz  Identity Verified
Local time: 13:18
German to English
+ ...
How would I know my clients' processes for anything? Jan 28, 2019

This question surprised me. To begin with, I have different kinds of clients. Canadian translation companies usually look for a certified translator, and my "screening" happened long ago via my education and passing the certification exams. Other clients, both translation companies and others, probably came to me via recommendation, or again, because they needed a certified translator. They contact me asking for a translation. I give them my fee and turnaround, and we go ahead. If they hav... See more
This question surprised me. To begin with, I have different kinds of clients. Canadian translation companies usually look for a certified translator, and my "screening" happened long ago via my education and passing the certification exams. Other clients, both translation companies and others, probably came to me via recommendation, or again, because they needed a certified translator. They contact me asking for a translation. I give them my fee and turnaround, and we go ahead. If they have a "process" before contacting me, I'm not aware of it.Collapse


 
Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 15:18
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
MY clients, yes Jan 28, 2019

All clients that have become regular clients used a sample translation as screening process. It is the only efficient method to select translators. Only clients that required a sample translation have selected me and became regular clients. Those who require certificates, graduation in specific courses and Trados as mandatory CAT, for example, have a lousy screening method and will hardly ever select the best translators.

 


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Poll: Do you think most of your clients' screening processes for new translators are strict enough?






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