| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: What is the most common reason why you turn down work? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
|
|---|
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What is the most common reason why you turn down work?".
This poll was originally submitted by Angus Stewart. View the poll results »
| | | | Mario Freitas 
Brazil
Local time: 11:37
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| Low rates vs. Lack of time | Oct 23, 2021 |
I was in doubt between low rates and lack of time. But I realize low rates are a lot more common. In addition to low rates, there is a series of tips in the first email that lets it clear that it's not worth replying. Before you even know the rates, the style of the message you receive can make it go straight to the trash can, like not mentioning your name, the first and last name of the sender, their company, emails with very poor English, domains like Hortmail and Gmail, and several other fact... See more I was in doubt between low rates and lack of time. But I realize low rates are a lot more common. In addition to low rates, there is a series of tips in the first email that lets it clear that it's not worth replying. Before you even know the rates, the style of the message you receive can make it go straight to the trash can, like not mentioning your name, the first and last name of the sender, their company, emails with very poor English, domains like Hortmail and Gmail, and several other factors.
[Edited at 2021-10-23 00:43 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Abba Storgen (X)
United States
Local time: 09:37
Greek to English
+ ...
| The reasons are the same for all | Oct 23, 2021 |
Nothing uncommon or unusual:
1) The rate could be so low, that you will gain more in benefits by working out or take a pleasant walk or contact your friends and family or do some marketing.
2) The deadline could be too short and it'll cost you your circadian rhythm. I haven't had lunch or a full night's sleep in about 6-7 years. So I stopped accepting projects coming at 6pm to be ready at 8am.
3) The project is part of a series that invites troubles out of my control (you learn... See more Nothing uncommon or unusual:
1) The rate could be so low, that you will gain more in benefits by working out or take a pleasant walk or contact your friends and family or do some marketing.
2) The deadline could be too short and it'll cost you your circadian rhythm. I haven't had lunch or a full night's sleep in about 6-7 years. So I stopped accepting projects coming at 6pm to be ready at 8am.
3) The project is part of a series that invites troubles out of my control (you learn this from experience - files going back and forth at unexpected times, end-clients have questions and they're not paying for the answers, etc.).
4) The PM sends an email that looks personal, but it's a mass email (like a roulette game).
5) The PM has a history of sending mass emails and not responding. See also below:
6) The agency is asking for my "best rate". I give my best rate $100, and then the PM uses my rate to shop around and asks others "can you do this for $90?". This is almost always a waste of time, because you are not giving them a rate; you are giving them a tool to use to recruit others.
Although 5) and 6) look like small things, all these on a daily basis add up to exhaustion, completely unrelated to productive paid work.
As for 2), my regular editor/associate frequently reminded me for years that I was a pathological 24/7 workaholic, and the damages to my health became significant and irreversible. The problem when you are in the sector of "sweat equity" (aka "jobs") is that at the end you have nothing left to show for - that is why I stopped doing it. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Abba Storgen (X)
United States
Local time: 09:37
Greek to English
+ ...
| Not only those ones... | Oct 23, 2021 |
Mario Freitas wrote:
the style of the message you receive can make it go straight to the trash can, like not mentioning your name,
I can assure you that a few large agencies started years ago to send emails with your name, that look personal, but are mass emails. And while you politely wait for a response, the project has already been assigned hours ago, and the PM enjoys a power trip from the sheer volume of acceptance and desire of all those who responded. "I must be giving away gold for free, it feels so great" thinks the PM who never got an instruction to use mass email in the first place - it was not urgent.
Kudoz to PMs who, when sending a mass email, also state that it is ("this is a mass email bc it's an urgent request").
But one of the large agencies started to do something similar in their online platform: You login and accept a project exactly as it is, but still you have to wait for "PM approval". I did it a few times, I succeeded about 20% of the time, I got used to it, but then it got worse: projects were accepted at the last minute by the PM, and I started seeing this even for tiny projects paying $5 or $10.
I whispered "Oh you powerful God on the other side, will you please approve my request to work for you for 5 bucks?"
Pathetic, ah?
| | |
|
|
|
| Lack of time... | Oct 23, 2021 |
tied with low rates for the top reason.
Lack of time usually involves impossible deadline due to time zone.
| | | |
Since I have clients that pay well, accepting a larger job at a lower rate means that I might have to turn down one that I would much rather do for more money. If it's short and the rate is low, I'd rather use my time doing something else.
| | | | | Unprofessional approach | Oct 23, 2021 |
The main thing that puts me off a potential client is a lack of professionalism. This can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including some of those mentioned above: unreasonable deadlines, rates well below those in my profile, mass mailing, vague job specifications, unacceptable payment terms, etc.
My relationship with regular clients is one of mutual respect and appreciation. That requires professionalism on both sides. Why waste time on people who are only going to bring you g... See more The main thing that puts me off a potential client is a lack of professionalism. This can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including some of those mentioned above: unreasonable deadlines, rates well below those in my profile, mass mailing, vague job specifications, unacceptable payment terms, etc.
My relationship with regular clients is one of mutual respect and appreciation. That requires professionalism on both sides. Why waste time on people who are only going to bring you grief? ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mr. Satan (X)
English to Indonesian
| Several reasons | Oct 23, 2021 |
- I'm already preoccupied. I made a mistake in my early translation career by juggling between multiple clients. Sometimes, all of them sent me assignments at around the same time and gave the same turnover time. Let me tell you, those were chaos. Not only it affected my performance, but also my health.
- Lack of expertise in the area. Now that I knew better, I won't do medical or legal translations as I have zero ba
... See more
- I'm already preoccupied. I made a mistake in my early translation career by juggling between multiple clients. Sometimes, all of them sent me assignments at around the same time and gave the same turnover time. Let me tell you, those were chaos. Not only it affected my performance, but also my health.
- Lack of expertise in the area. Now that I knew better, I won't do medical or legal translations as I have zero background in those fields. Someone else's life might be at stake with those documents, and my lack of knowledge could seal their ill fate.
- I occasionally received job offers in language pairs I don't speak. Of course, I would have to decline.
- The rates are way too low. It's not that I'm not willing to compromise, I might consider lowering my rates if the assignment is easier than the industry average. But there's a limit for how low I would go.
- Unrealistic deadlines. Look, I know everyone likes fast hands/feet/whichever body part you use to make a living. But I've got to be realistic. I can't translate a 90-minutes movie in less than 6 hours. It's just not gonna happen.
[Edited at 2021-10-23 09:09 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | |
|
|
|
I presume the question regards potential new clients as my rejection rate of work coming from my regulars is close to zero, we almost always manage to find a compromise. The story is quite different if I’m contacted by a new client as in this case my rejection rate is quite high for several reasons (in no particular order): 1. Unacceptable rates; 2. Extremely tight deadlines; 3. Bad payment record; 4. Cumbersome management systems; 5. Insane contract clauses; 6. CAT tools + discounts; 7. Too m... See more I presume the question regards potential new clients as my rejection rate of work coming from my regulars is close to zero, we almost always manage to find a compromise. The story is quite different if I’m contacted by a new client as in this case my rejection rate is quite high for several reasons (in no particular order): 1. Unacceptable rates; 2. Extremely tight deadlines; 3. Bad payment record; 4. Cumbersome management systems; 5. Insane contract clauses; 6. CAT tools + discounts; 7. Too much bureaucracy… The list could go on and on. Fortunately I have a solid and faithful client base and I am not looking for new clients (I have been trying to reduce work-related stress to the max)… ▲ Collapse
| | | |
I rarely get unsolicited offers of work, so almost everything I’m asked to do is in the right fields at the right price, and most of it has relaxed deadlines so I can fit it all in.
So the only time I turn work down is when I’m having a holiday.
It took 20 years to get into that position but I like it.
| | | | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:37
Member (2008)
Italian to English
.
[Edited at 2021-10-24 12:35 GMT]
| | |
|
|
|
Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:37
Member (2008)
Italian to English
"What is the most common reason why you turn down work?"
1. From their introductory message it's clear that they're emailing a large number of people
2. The job is shared among a number of translators
3. Uninteresting text to be translated
4. Rate much too low as compared to my standard rate
5. Over-friendly approach using phraseology such as "Hi there, we're excited" etc.
6. Impossible deadline requiring me to work long hours/through the weekend
7. Requires Trados or any web-based CAT tool (I use my own)
8. Complicated administrative/invoicing/payment processes
9. Job is so small that it isn't worth it
10. I'm busy with other work anyway.
I would like to see another poll asking me why I always accept work (from people I haven't worked with before).
[Edited at 2021-10-24 12:35 GMT]
| | | | | "What is the most common reason why you turn down work?" | Oct 23, 2021 |
... when the email of the potential client ends with the phrase "Have a nice day!"
| | | |
My plate is usually full, and I've grown rather protective of my life balance.
Plus, urgent requests are not up my alley.
Only being generous to generous (or at least reasonable) deadlines.
| | | | | Pages in topic: [1 2] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: What is the most common reason why you turn down work? | Protemos translation business management system | Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!
The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.
More info » |
| | Wordfast Pro | Translation Memory Software for Any Platform
Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users!
Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value
Buy now! » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
