| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Details of jobs completed over last 3 years? Are you kidding me?! Thread poster: Dylan J Hartmann
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I don't know if anyone else received this email from the agency in question but something they requested just seems a bit excessive, what do you think?
"The database seems to be quite old already and due to numerous requests we would like to update it with the newest information about you. In case you are not interested in being part of our pool of translators, please just let me know and I will immediately delete your information from our database.
If you are still... See more I don't know if anyone else received this email from the agency in question but something they requested just seems a bit excessive, what do you think?
"The database seems to be quite old already and due to numerous requests we would like to update it with the newest information about you. In case you are not interested in being part of our pool of translators, please just let me know and I will immediately delete your information from our database.
If you are still with us, hope you can take a minute to reply/send us the following information:
1) Language pairs you are working with.
2) An updated CV with clear information about the latest translation projects you've performed in the last 3 years and the fields of specialization.
3) Your contact information:
- primary phone number including country code;
- alternative phone number (if available);
- skype (if available);
- primary e-mail;
- alternative e-mail (if available).
4) Link to your proz profile.
5) 3 references (contact details of your clients).
6) CAT tools you are using;
7) Your price list.
Please note that those who will not provide the information within 2 weeks will be automatically deleted from our database.
Thank you very much and wish a wonderful day!" ▲ Collapse
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... you are on candit camera.
Unbelievable.
| | | | Andrea Riffo 
Chile
Local time: 15:19
English to Spanish
+ ...
| | Received the same email | Feb 25, 2015 |
DJHartmann wrote:
I don't know if anyone else received this email from the agency in question but something they requested just seems a bit excessive, what do you think?
"The database seems to be quite old already and due to numerous requests we would like to update it with the newest information about you. In case you are not interested in being part of our pool of translators, please just let me know and I will immediately delete your information from our database.
If you are still with us, hope you can take a minute to reply/send us the following information:
1) Language pairs you are working with.
2) An updated CV with clear information about the latest translation projects you've performed in the last 3 years and the fields of specialization.
3) Your contact information:
- primary phone number including country code;
- alternative phone number (if available);
- skype (if available);
- primary e-mail;
- alternative e-mail (if available).
4) Link to your proz profile.
5) 3 references (contact details of your clients).
6) CAT tools you are using;
7) Your price list.
Please note that those who will not provide the information within 2 weeks will be automatically deleted from our database.
Thank you very much and wish a wonderful day!"
and went straight to the trash bin.
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| Why not just summarize the kinds of projects you've worked on? | Feb 25, 2015 |
I would simply give them an overview of the kinds(and maybe average size) of projects I've been working on over the 3 years. 'Clear' information does not necessarily mean 'detailed' information...
Michael
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I'd be more offended by demands 4 and 5.
| | | | | Are they poaching your clients? | Feb 25, 2015 |
My first thought was that this is just another take on the references game. If translators won't give references, then perhaps they will reveal clients to poach this way instead.
But I see they want THREE references as well.
They can forget that for a start.
I HAVE actually recently been through all the jobs I have done for the last three years - not in detail, but simply to count up words translated and hours spent. It took some time, but was a summary for my Cha... See more My first thought was that this is just another take on the references game. If translators won't give references, then perhaps they will reveal clients to poach this way instead.
But I see they want THREE references as well.
They can forget that for a start.
I HAVE actually recently been through all the jobs I have done for the last three years - not in detail, but simply to count up words translated and hours spent. It took some time, but was a summary for my Chartered Linguist application to the CIoL.
Others have said it was too much and given that as a reason for not applying.
Many people will have the basic details for that purpose accessible in Excel Files if the statistics are all you need.
But otherwise they have to take it on trust. So does the CIoL for that matter - it would be hard to fake my handwritten worksheets, but I do NOT give clear information about projects to other clients.
All that work, unpaid, just to stay in their database?
I definitely have more profitable clients to work for, and I bin that kind of thing straight away.
[Edited at 2015-02-25 09:10 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Dylan J Hartmann
Australia
Member (2014)
Thai to English
+ ...
MODERATOR TOPIC STARTER | Along those lines | Feb 25, 2015 |
Michael Grant wrote:
I would simply give them an overview of the kinds(and maybe average size) of projects I've been working on over the 3 years. 'Clear' information does not necessarily mean 'detailed' information...
Michael
My response went along those lines but started by saying:
"I will endeavour to provide all of the information that you requested, however I don’t think that details of all the projects that I performed over the past 3 years will be possible (unless you want a list that goes for 200 pages!). Nonetheless, I have provided what I think is a sufficient amount of information..."
I then gave the broad fields that most of my work consists of (which isn't necessarily my specialisations!)
I receive quite a few of these sorts of emails at the start of each year. Each new HR personality wants to revise the system that's in place. I'd love to hear from some agency 'insiders' about the kind of mess that translator records are kept in.
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Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:19
Member (2008)
Italian to English
Anyone who wishes me "a nice day", "a wonderful day!" (with an exclamation mark) or any other kind of day disappears immediately from my horizon of meaning, never to be seen again.
[Edited at 2015-02-25 10:28 GMT]
| | | | Natalie
Poland
Local time: 21:19
Member (2002)
English to Russian
+ ...
MODERATOR SITE LOCALIZER | Requirements become more and more astounding, to say the least | Feb 25, 2015 |
Here is a message from a potential client:
I would need
either a copy of your translation copy (ah, ok, it's a slip of the pen (or rather keyboard), diploma is meant here )
or
if you don’t have any degree in translation: any degree + any document (PO, bill) which proves that you have at least 2 years of experience as a freelance translator.
... as you don’t have a diploma in translation, the ISO 9001 standard needs any document which proves at least 2 years of experience.
Nothing to comment, actually... Since when a PO or bill serves as a proof of translation experience in accordance with ISO 9001?
| | | | | Mine too: straight to the bin! | Feb 25, 2015 |
Yasutomo Kanazawa wrote: DJHartmann wrote:
I don't know if anyone else received this email from the agency in question but something they requested just seems a bit excessive, what do you think?
"The database seems to be quite old already and due to numerous requests we would like to update it with the newest information about you. In case you are not interested in being part of our pool of translators, please just let me know and I will immediately delete your information from our database.
If you are still with us, hope you can take a minute to reply/send us the following information:
1) Language pairs you are working with.
2) An updated CV with clear information about the latest translation projects you've performed in the last 3 years and the fields of specialization.
3) Your contact information:
- primary phone number including country code;
- alternative phone number (if available);
- skype (if available);
- primary e-mail;
- alternative e-mail (if available).
4) Link to your proz profile.
5) 3 references (contact details of your clients).
6) CAT tools you are using;
7) Your price list.
Please note that those who will not provide the information within 2 weeks will be automatically deleted from our database.
Thank you very much and wish a wonderful day!" and went straight to the trash bin.
| | | | | This might be for the recent call for tenders | Feb 25, 2015 |
published by the European Commission. I would encourage all freelancers with a proven track record in translation and a University diploma to participate directly.
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Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:19
Member (2008)
Italian to English
Maria S. Loose, LL.M. wrote:
This might be for the recent call for tenders published by the European Commission.
I doubt it; the English is so poor that the whole advertisement is simply not credible.
[Edited at 2015-02-25 16:26 GMT]
| | | | | Straight for the bin | Feb 25, 2015 |
I agree with those that said these exist solely so as to be accumulated, so I have long ago decided to bin them straight away. I have no time to lose; I would not betray client confidentiality if without signing any NDA. Iw ould not mind pointing out my ProZ. profile but would only reveal names of clients/agencies whose permission I would have asked first.
@ Maria S. Loose-usually for the European commission, they would ask for your degrees, and not copies of them straightaway, but only if... See more I agree with those that said these exist solely so as to be accumulated, so I have long ago decided to bin them straight away. I have no time to lose; I would not betray client confidentiality if without signing any NDA. Iw ould not mind pointing out my ProZ. profile but would only reveal names of clients/agencies whose permission I would have asked first.
@ Maria S. Loose-usually for the European commission, they would ask for your degrees, and not copies of them straightaway, but only if they win the tender, so one is prepared, so I do not think it is for that, and the PMs tell you straightaway. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | How do you prove your translation experience | Feb 25, 2015 |
other than by POs, contracts, letters of reference etc? If the recipient of these documents is not a translation agency but a public institution whose employees are bound by professional secret not to divulge this kind of information, I think it's safe to submit these documents. Otherwise you have no chance whatsoever of being admitted to a tendering procedure. By the way, the latest tendering pro... See more other than by POs, contracts, letters of reference etc? If the recipient of these documents is not a translation agency but a public institution whose employees are bound by professional secret not to divulge this kind of information, I think it's safe to submit these documents. Otherwise you have no chance whatsoever of being admitted to a tendering procedure. By the way, the latest tendering procedure is published here:
http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/translation/workwithus/calls/open/omnibus15/index_en.htm
In my opinion, freelancers are missing out on a great chance to expand their customer basis if they don't participate.
[Edited at 2015-02-25 17:14 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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