List of 30 Translator Interview Questions & Answers
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1.
How do you prepare yourself to better understand an unfamiliar Target Audience?
How to Answer
Translations can change dramatically when different Target Audiences (TA) are introduced. When you work on a translation that is intended for a particular TA, you must have a thorough understanding of that group of people in order to authentically translate a text in a way that will resonate appropriately as intended. The interviewer is looking for a candidate who does their research and immerses themselves as fully as possible in the project to achieve the desired results.
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2.
Do you also serve as an interpreter? If so, what do you feel are the key differences in skills required for interpretation versus translation?
How to Answer
Many people often confuse the terms 'interpreter' and 'translator.' Generally, 'translator' is misused to cover any correspondence from one language into another, even real-time speaking and conversations (this would be an interpreter). With this question, the interviewer is doing a couple of things: 1. they want to ensure that you are aware of the difference between the two professions and 2. they want to understand the scope of your skillset. Throughout your interview, be careful not to use 'translator' and 'interpreter' interchangeably.
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3.
What types of clients do you typically work with?
How to Answer
The interviewers are looking for your experience level working with certain clients. This question likely indicates that the open position will need to work with a specific client type. When preparing a response to this question, outline each of the client types you've worked with and rank them by frequency. Review the posted job description for clues as to what client type this position will work with and compare that to your list. If you have little experience or haven't worked directly with that client type, then research transferrable correlations between your 'frequent client list' with the target client type of the position and include the correlation in your response.
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4.
What does your dream career as a translator look like?
How to Answer
Responding to this question will likely vary based on where you are in your career. If you are fresh on the scene, think about what steps you're taking now to get to where you want to be, then identify what that ultimate goal is. If you are seasoned in translation, then think of the trajectory you've had thus far, how close you are to that goal, and what might've changed for you along the way. Taking your interviewers on the journey with you, whether at the start facing ahead or looking back on all you've accomplished, will draw them in and better contextualize why your dream is your dream. Consider asking yourself what texts you hope to be translating, what clients you want to work with, what languages you'll be translating, and even where you will physically station yourself (i.e. working from home versus an office).
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5.
If you were to enter any other profession with your language skills, what would it be?
How to Answer
There are countless opportunities in language-oriented careers that offer vastly different experiences and require a range of skills. When responding to this question, keep in mind that you are there to demonstrate your passion and interest in translation. Consider sharing a purely aspirational career, or stay true to your path and stick with translation! Don't be afraid to have fun with it, and remember to use each opportunity you have to reinforce your commitment to the position and path at hand.
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6.
Where do you hope to see yourself in 5-10 years?
How to Answer
This is a common interview question, so it's always good to have a thoughtful response ready in your back pocket. The interviewers are interested in how much thought you've put into your career trajectory. They might also be interested in what professional development they could support you with to get to your goals or determine that they will not be a good fit to help get you there. If you are unsure of your future, then frame your response in a way that shows you are maximizing the present to better inform your next steps.
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7.
What are the top 5 things on your desk while you're translating?
How to Answer
This question has room for some fun and an ability to demonstrate your industry knowledge. Many translators live at their desks while on a project, and they often have a few essential reference guides with them. When answering this question, balance fun things like 'bottomless coffee' with resources like 'my most trusted French-English dictionary.'
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8.
What have been the most crucial components of learning to become a translator?
How to Answer
Your response to this question is heavily contingent upon your experience in becoming a translator. You might reference how you came into speaking your various languages, what education and certifications you received, what experience you have living in countries that speak your non-native language(s), and so on. Identify what has had the greatest impact on your skill, motivation, and awareness. Drawing personal connections and meaning will make your response more memorable.
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9.
What word or phrase have you learned as a result of a translation project that you now use in your daily life?
How to Answer
The interviewers are sprinkling in some fun with this question, so play with it! Consider how the word or phrase is unique - is it very regionally-specific? Is it a new slang term, or an old one? Avoid a word or phrase that is common enough for you to be expected to already know it.
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10.
What drew you to a career in translation?
How to Answer
Your response to this question will depend entirely on your personal experience. Know that the interviewers are interested in what motivated you to enter the profession and make your way to an interview with them. To help narrow your response to this, write down the top 5 things that made you want to be a translator. Consider which of the 5 you can elaborate upon in greater detail, and build details from there.
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11.
What is one component of translation that you would like to improve upon the most?
How to Answer
This question is open to interpret in a few ways - you could consider specific skills to hone in on, you could frame it from the perspective of your career trajectory, or you could reference your client-facing interactions. The interviewer is looking for a thoughtfully objective response, so take a bird's eye view of your experience and career as a translator when settling on a response to this question. Regardless of your response, be sure to frame it with a growth mindset. 'Improve upon' in the question implies action, so include action in your response! Share what you hope to grow in as well as how you plan to get there.
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12.
How many translation projects do you complete on average each month?
How to Answer
Oftentimes, translations are needed to be wrapped up at a fairly quick pace with no room for error. The interviewer will likely follow-up with a question regarding the average length of each translation you take on and how you feel about your pace. When answering this question, know that the circumstances of each translator are different, so don't share outside of your abilities. Higher volume isn't always impressive in an industry that values quality. If you are early on in your translation career, or you are keeping yourself at a comfortable pace, then consider adding to your answer that you are interested in ultimately scaling up your translations per month to demonstrate your desired growth.
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13.
What experience do you have with CAT tools? Which ones?
How to Answer
CAT tools are Computer Assisted Translation tools, and they are often used to support translating long texts, completing audiovisual translations, translating a series of texts with commonalities, and much more. The interviewer is interested in a candidate with experience using these tools and likely requires them in this position. When you review the job description, look for specific details on what tools are used and what level of experience is expected. If you don't have experience with CAT tools or those listed on the job description, then research the tools that are listed so you are able to reference them and speak to them in your interview; this will demonstrate a base understanding of the tools, and you can share your aptitude for learning and picking up new software quickly.
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14.
If a career in translation could take you anywhere, where would it be and why?
How to Answer
A language-oriented career can open a literal world of possibilities. As a translator, you could find yourself living in a country that speaks your non-native language, you might work for a government somewhere, or you could be entirely mobile as a freelance contract worker. Consider whether or not your 'where' informs your 'why' or if your 'why' informs your 'where.' For example, would you say that you want to immerse yourself in your non-native language, so you would move to France? Would you move to Haiti because you love the Carribean and could maintain your work in translation?
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15.
What has been the most challenging text for you to translate and why?
How to Answer
Responding to this question can take you down any number of paths. You could reference a text early in your career, one that is very culturally specific and unfamiliar, or one with complex content and jargon. Whichever you choose, be sure to explain why it was difficult at the time, what you did to successfully complete the translation, and what you've learned from it and done since. The interviewers are looking for a growth-oriented mindset in response to this question, so be sure to include those steps.
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16.
What types of text do you most enjoy translating?
How to Answer
Translation is a broad profession and encompasses any number of text types - literature, articles, scientific studies, patents, subtitles for movies, and much more! The interviewer is looking for what texts will likely give you the most energy and excitement, and they might be exploring whether or not your interests align with the texts they often receive. When providing a response, be sure to choose a text type that you have some experience in - you want to put forth something you enjoy that balances your strengths in the field.
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17.
What draws you to our company, and what makes you a valuable asset?
How to Answer
Prior to any interview, you always want to do extensive research on the company or institution. The more knowledge you have, the better you will be able to weave your skills and experience into their framework and ask directly relevant questions. Look into what makes this company unique, what their key values are, who their general client base is, current news about the company, and so on. Use this research to inform how you respond to this question. The interviewers are looking for someone who very intentionally wants to be at their company over just any other translation agency, so show what you know and how you will contribute to the overall vision.
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18.
Why is cultural fluency as important as language fluency when it comes to translating a text?
How to Answer
It is a common misconception that fluency in two languages is enough to appropriately translate a text. In reality, if you are not aware of culturally and regionally-specific nuances that go alongside the languages themselves, then you aren't fully prepared to produce a quality translation. The interviewer is looking for a candidate to make a direct correlation between the two (language and culture), and identify the importance of having fluency in both.
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19.
What do you feel is the most important skill a translator should possess?
How to Answer
This question allows you the opportunity to provide a technical skill that pertains to the translation, itself, or a soft skill that references what it takes to get the translation done. For example, you might reference the ability to utilize various Computer Assisted Technology (CAT) tools to facilitate increased efficiency in your translations, or you might choose the ability to stay motivated and engaged in an independent work environment. A brief and straightforward response can be quite powerful so long as you clearly indicate why that skill is important.
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20.
Being a translator requires being self-driven and motivated. How do you encourage yourself to get things done when you might lack motivation in the moment?
How to Answer
A career in translation doesn't often come with a team to collaborate with on projects - you tend to be working independently and motivating yourself between deadlines. Consider how you've navigated this component of a career in translation thus far, or think to another part of your life that requires a similarly independent drive. Don't be afraid to pull from an experience outside of translation, just be sure to make it applicable and transferrable.
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21.
What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of a career in translation?
How to Answer
Your response to this question could take any number of spins. You might reference the lifestyle associated with being an independent contractor, drastically different clients and needs from one project to the next, or adapting to unfamiliar terms and content. Whichever is true for you, be sure to frame your response using positive language. You want to ensure that your answers are solution- and growth-oriented, particularly when referencing challenging content.
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22.
How are your writing skills?
How to Answer
The interviewer is interested in how experienced you are as a writer beyond translation exclusively. Some translations, particularly in literature, require an elevated and refined skill set in writing. Review the job description in detail for any indication that the position requires a specific writing style or skill level, and be prepared to reference specific examples of your work that support what they want to see.
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23.
What language pairs do you typically translate? Do you speak any additional languages?
How to Answer
The interviewer is interested in what you are currently capable of and what potential you might have to develop additional language pairs that could ultimately be added to your portfolio. When responding to this answer, consider sharing the direction in which you translate as well. For example, you might primarily translate into your native language, not out of it. When providing additional spoken languages, be sure to include your proficiency level. If you took Spanish several years ago, and you don't remember most of what you'd learned, then let them know you have an elementary proficiency - you don't want them to assume you're fluent if you aren't. You might elaborate even further by displaying your interest in enhancing your fluency in order to add to your translation portfolio.
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24.
What do you do to motivate yourself when you hit a brain block while translating?
How to Answer
Everyone hits a block at one point or another. It can be easy to sit and stare, hoping for an a-ha moment, but that might not be very productive or time-saving. The interviewers are looking for insight into your habits and how quickly you are capable of overcoming crippling blocks.
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25.
Describe a difficult work environment you've been in and how you navigated it to continue to meet deadlines and get work done.
How to Answer
When presented with an opportunity to share a story, be sure to clearly outline the direction you want to go in your response so you don't miss a key component or go down an unintended path. Your response doesn't need to be directly in the field of translation. The interviewer is looking for a candidate that will approach this question as objectively as possible and focus more on the solution than on the problem, itself. Consider a few scenarios that reference different kinds of 'difficulty' with solutions that you played an active role in executing.
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26.
Do you hold any translation certifications?
How to Answer
Some translation projects require certifications - or notarization from a certified translator - in order to be legally viable texts, so it is important to be aware of what certifications there are and what you have. Some graduate programs in translation automatically award a translation certification upon graduating, so look into your own program to determine what certifications you might've earned or still qualify for. If you don't currently hold any certifications, then go into your interview knowing what is involved in earning them and be prepared to share a willingness to work towards one.
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27.
Have you ever encountered an ethical or moral dilemma on a translation project? How did you handle it?
How to Answer
You might receive a translation project that does not align with your personal beliefs or philosophy. As a professional, you have to decide how you choose to navigate such circumstances in order to balance respecting the client with maintaining the integrity of your practice. If you are applying to work for an agency, then be sure to do research on the company prior to your interview to better inform your response to this question. They might not associate with any political, religious, or other affiliation and therefore accept translations from all sources. If they do have an affiliation, then ensure that your response to this question doesn't conflict with the mission and values of the agency and their affiliations - if they do, then you might want to consider applying to a different company!
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28.
How familiar are you with regional variations on each language you speak?
How to Answer
Fluency in a language doesn't guarantee your ability to translate any text in that language, particularly when working with unfamiliar dialects and terminology. The interviewer is interested in how wide your reach might be. This question might also indicate that they need such a skillset on their team. Be prepared to be tested on this following your interview, so don't use this as an opportunity to over-fluff your abilities.
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29.
How do you balance the satisfaction and expectations of your client when they might not align with the reality of the project?
How to Answer
Clients of translation projects often don't understand how complex thei 'asks' might be. Even seemingly straightforward texts can be nuanced, and the completion of a translation can take longer than expected. Translators have to balance reality and expectations using a customer-oriented approach. The interviewer is looking for your ability to walk this line, so respond by demonstrating that you can make the client satisfied while not making promises you can't keep.
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30.
How do you handle a client that is unsatisfied with your translation or finds an error within the translated text?
How to Answer
It can be difficult to please everyone, particularly in a profession that specializes in interpreting and executing someone else's vision. Unsatisfied clients can be expected at one point or another, and mistakes happen. The interviewer is looking for how gracefully you handle the customer-facing aspect of this job. Allow your customer service skills to come through in this response, and consider drawing connection to a story of when you've navigated an unsatisfied client in the past.
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