Languages

Translator CV: example and template

This example is for written translators and interpreters, sworn translators, localisation specialists and people working for translation agencies, companies and institutions, and for philology and translation studies graduates.

Clients and translation agencies want to know which languages you translate from, which fields you specialise in, how much text you translate and which tools you use. We show you how to describe this on your CV.

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Example CV: translator

All the details in this example are fictional. Treat it as a model of layout and wording, and replace the content with your own experience.

Monika Adamczyk

English and German translator

Wroclaw +48 123 456 789 monika.adamczyk@example.com translator profile with client references

Professional profile

English and German translator with 9 years of experience and a sworn translator of English. I specialise in legal, financial and technical translation, work in CAT tools and keep terminology consistent. I also interpret at business meetings and public offices.

Work experience

Translator, self-employed

01.2020 - present

Work with translation agencies and companies, Wroclaw and remote

  • Translating contracts, financial statements and technical documentation, about 30,000 words a month.
  • Certified translations of official and court documents.
  • Consecutive interpreting at business meetings and at notaries.
  • Building glossaries and translation memories for regular clients.
  • Reviewing other translators' work for a translation agency.

In-house translator

06.2016 - 12.2019

German-owned manufacturing company, Wroclaw

  • Translating technical documentation and correspondence with head office.
  • Interpreting at board meetings and training sessions.
  • Localising materials for employees.

Education

Master's degree, English philology, translation specialism

2011 - 2016

University of Wroclaw

Skills

  • Legal and financial translation
  • Technical translation
  • Certified translation
  • Consecutive interpreting
  • CAT tools: Trados and memoQ
  • Terminology and glossaries

Licences and certificates

  • Entry on the list of sworn translators of English
  • C2 certificate in German
  • Contract translation course, 2021

Languages

  • English: C2
  • German: C2

Additional information

  • Registered business, VAT invoices

I hereby consent to the processing of my personal data for the purposes necessary to carry out the recruitment process, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 (GDPR).

How to write a translator CV

Professional summary

Write which languages you translate from and into, for how long, in which fields and what kind of translation you do: written, oral, certified. Add CAT tools, because translation agencies ask about them. If you are a sworn translator, say so in the first sentence.

Translation studies graduate with English and Spanish. For a year I translated marketing texts and websites for a translation agency, about 10,000 words a month. I know memoQ and want to specialise in localisation.

Experience: duties and achievements

Describe fields, types of texts, the amount of text and clients. Show reviewing and terminology work, because it is proof of quality. If you are self-employed, list it as a position with the types of jobs you take.

Weaker: Translating texts.

Better: Translating contracts, financial statements and technical documentation, about 30,000 words a month.

Weaker: Interpreting.

Better: Consecutive interpreting at business meetings and at notaries.

Weaker: Terminology.

Better: Building glossaries and translation memories for regular clients.

Skills worth listing

List language pairs, fields, types of translation and software. In your soft skills show accuracy, meeting deadlines and confidentiality, because a translator often works with documents that must not leave the job.

Professional skills

  • Language pairs
  • Specialisms
  • Certified translation
  • Interpreting
  • CAT tools
  • Reviewing

Personal skills

  • Accuracy
  • Meeting deadlines
  • Confidentiality
  • Independence
  • Contact with clients

Licences and certificates

List your entry on the list of sworn translators, language certificates and specialist courses. Sworn translators are entered on the list by the Minister of Justice, so give the language you are licensed in.

Translator CV with no experience

Describe translation studies, a placement at a translation agency, volunteer translation and your own sample translations. Give the amount of text and the fields.

Choose one or two specialisms and learn a CAT tool. Translation agencies are glad to give first jobs to people who pass a test translation.

Tailoring your CV to the job offer

A translation agency looks for specialisms and CAT tools, a company for interpreting and translating documentation, and a technology company for localisation. Move to the top what the job ad is about.

The most common mistakes on a translator CV

Questions and answers

What should a translator put on a CV?

Language pairs, specialisms, types of translation, the amount of text, CAT tools, licences, certificates and clients, if you can name them.

How do you become a sworn translator?

You need to pass the sworn translator exam and be entered on the list kept by the Minister of Justice.

Does a translator need to know CAT tools?

For work with translation agencies almost always, yes. Trados and memoQ are the most often required.

Can you become a translator with no experience?

Yes. On your CV show your studies, placements, sample translations and the specialism you want to work in.

Create a translator CV in the builder

In the CV Majster builder you enter your details step by step and see right away what the document looks like. You can copy the wording from this page and adapt it to yourself. The finished CV as a PDF costs a one-off PLN 5, with no subscription, and you see the preview before you pay.

Go to the CV builder

See also

Resume examples for similar jobs

Career guide

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