MA Translation Effective CVs, jobsearch and networking

1. MA TranslationEffective CVs, jobsearch and networking Janet Woolnough Purple Door Careers and Recruitment

2. Session overview • 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

3. Effective CVs – general points • Length - max 2 pages • You can decide what to include/ordering • Format - clear, easy to access • Language style - concise, use active words (egorganised, developed), avoid use of I • Targeted towards a particular job There is no right way to do a CV!

4. What is your message?

5. 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

6. In or out? Personal profile Photo Date of birth Hobbies Nationality GCSE subjects Marital status A level grades Professional memberships Skills References Testimonials

7. Freelance translator - your marketing package • CV • Database profile entry – eg ProZ.com • LinkedIn Profile • Website / online portfolio • Logo? Business identity?

8. 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

9. Freelance Translation CVs http://translatorslife.wordpress.com/2011/05/30/applying-for-translation-jobs-your-freelance-translator-cv-resumehttp://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?

10. 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

11. What do you think of these? • http://www.slideshare.net/anzingerd/curriculum-vitae-englisch-2-2517562

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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-to-create-an-effective-portfolio-for-your-translation-business.html • http://rmttranslation.com/portfolio/ • http://websitesfortranslators.co.uk/webdesign/portfolio/

18. When it goes wrong!

19. 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

20. 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

21. Marketing your experience Outline key responsibilities and achievements Consider clustering your experience e.g. Relevant experience – other experience Make ‘unrelated jobs’ relevant by showing skills developed Lots of similar experience? - cluster and analyse together

22. 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?

23. 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.

24. Covering letters • Use a business style and be concise • Use the correct form of ending -Yours sincerely or Yours faithfully • Aim for 3 – 4 paragraphs on one side of A4 paper Suggested layout Para 1 - Who you are and why you are writing Para 2 - Why interested in role/organisation Para 3 - What you can offer Finish with - Positive ending

25. 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

26. Translation – finding opportunities • 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

27. 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)

28. Language specialist jobsites • Specialist recruitment agencies/jobsites - www.eurolondon.com - www.languagebusiness.co.uk • www.toplanguagejobs.co.uk • www.coriniumlanguage.co.uk • www.multilingualvacancies.com

29. 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.ukwww.targetjobs.co.uk • www.port.ac.uk/careers • www.eurograduate.com

30. Professional membership • 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. Build your confidence in networking Where / how can you network? What skills and techniques help to make networking effective?

36. Who’s in your network? • Try this suggestion from the University of the Arts, London: • http://www.careers-creative-living.co.uk/images/resources/new_community_map.pdf

37. Who can you network with? Their friends Their friends Their friends Their work colleagues Their friends Neighbours Social contacts University Friends School / college friends Their friends My Network Their work colleagues Family Clubs/ societies/ sport conatcts Their friends Their work colleagues Voluntary work contacts Work Colleagues Their work colleagues Their contacts Professional contacts Acquaintances Their friends

38. Growing and maintaining networks

39. Networking using (professional) social media

40. 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-employers-radar?goback=%2Egde_4146677_member_177877468

41. . • Build a professional profile • Make connections • Ask for recommendations • Follow people and companies • Join groups • Join in discussions • Be proactive • Be an expert

42. 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

43. 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 de-select the Digest email box

44. In addition to this leaflet, LinkedIn has produced a range of leaflets and short films outlining how to use LinkedIn effectively. http://students.linkedin.com/

45. 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

46. 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

47. Remember • Be proactive • Be professional • Manage your online presence – Google yourself – what impression do you create • Stay focused and positive!

48. Help from Purple Door • 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

49. 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

50. Careers and Recruitment Social Media Find out what’s happening facebook.com/purpledoorcareersandrecruitment 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!