Translator Resume Guide + Tips + Example
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You need a great resume to get a job as a translator, and we’re here to help you create one. Our guide to crafting a perfect resume for a translator will help you make the most of your written communication and research skills to ensure you stand out to employers.
Start by editing this sample translator resume, or explore our library of customizable resume templates to find the best translator resume template for you.
Translator resume example (text version)
Chelsea Wu
Edison, NJ 08818
555-555-555
example@example.com
Professional Summary
Detail-oriented translator with a highly developed understanding of Chinese language and culture. Skilled in quickly and accurately translating written documents and audio recordings. Excellent listening and communication skills with an organized and systematic approach. Over six years of related expertise.
Work History
July 2018 – Current
JayCare Therapy – Edison, NJ
Translator
- Provide oral translations and interpretations for over 100 mandarin speaking patients in therapy, successfully maintaining pace with native speakers to deliver real-time comprehension.
- Use translation memory software to verify the consistency of translation within documents and improve efficiency.
- Confer with subject matter experts and other colleagues to establish a precise understanding of special terms and translate them appropriately.
November 2016 – June 2018
Language Services Associates, Inc – Edison, NJ
Document Translator
- Listened to an average of 12 video dialogues in mandarin per week and developed translation into the English language to prepare subtitle scripts.
- Provided verbal summaries of documents for immediate use.
- Applied cultural understanding to discern specific meanings beyond literally written words.
March 2013 – March 2016
SOS International LLC – New Brunswick, NJ
Bilingual Receptionist
- Answered over 20 calls daily to respond to inquiries and transfer calls to the correct departments and personnel.
- Provided guests with above-and-beyond service, including making outside venue reservations and setting up tours.
- Provided cultural input to speakers to help parties who did not speak similar languages communicate with and understand one another.
Skills
- Document review
- Rich vocabulary
- Transcribing
- Proofreading skills
- Cultural expertise
- Communication
- Organization
- Attention to detail
Education
- May 2014
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey New Brunswick, NJ
Bachelor of Arts Communications - Minored in Chinese Language and Literature
5 essentials of a top translator resume
Contact details
Place your contact information at the top of the page. It must include your full name, city, state, ZIP code, phone number and professional email address. If you have a LinkedIn profile and professional website, add them as well.
Personal statement
A personal statement is also known as a professional summary. It’s a concise, three-to-five-sentence statement that tells the hiring manager who you are and what you bring to the table. Include some of your top skills in your personal statement, along with one or two notable accomplishments.
Skills
Create a skills section to display skills for a translator on your resume so hiring managers can see them at a glance. Add a bulleted list of five to eight job-relevant skills in this section. Include hard and soft skills, such as writing and attention to detail.
Work history
A translator resume must include a job history section. In reverse-chronological order, list your current and previous employers and provide company names, locations and the dates you worked for them, plus two or three measurable achievements. If you’re applying for your first job, then use this section to highlight extracurricular activities, coursework, presentations, volunteer experience and community service.
Education
A resume for a translator job must include an education section, even if you don’t have a diploma or a degree. Using bullet points, list the names of the schools you attended and the years you graduated. If you did not graduate, list the school you attended and some of your classes.
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Action words for a stand-out translator resume
action words and numbers strengthen resumes because they tell hiring managers exactly what you did and your impact.
Here’s a short list of perfect action words for a translator resume:
- Listen
- Provide
- Translate
- Travel
- Interview
- Demonstrate
- Review
- Revise
- Research
- Write
- Edit
- Listen
- Analyze
Browse our library of hundreds of sample resumes for more translator resume examples to help you write the perfect resume.
Need a translator resume now? Our Resume Builder has all the tools you need to create a professional resume in minutes! Get inspired with our translator resume samples, then fill in a matching template with our expert phrases. You make edits on the fly, then download your finished resume, save it in one of the standard resume formats and send it to your target employer. It’s that easy!
Top skills for a translator resume
Review the job description closely and match the required skills to the skills and traits that fit you.
Top translator skills for a resume might include:
- Research
- Content editing
- Language fluency
- Computer-assisted translation (CAT)
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Verbal communication
- Written communication
- Presentation
- Active listening
- Reading comprehension
- Critical thinking
- Attention to detail
Certifications for a translator resume
Most translation jobs in the United States do not require professional certifications or licenses, but having one or more on your resume for a translator job will help you shine.
Luckily, there are some certification opportunities for translators to give you a leg up, including:
Pair your resume with a matching cover letter
Translator resume FAQ
1. What is the right format for a translator resume?
The resume format you use for a resume for a translator depends on your experience and goals. If you have a few years of experience, choose the combination resume format, which highlights your work history and skills. If you’re just breaking into the industry, use the functional resume format, which focuses on your industry-related skills and training. If you have more than five years of experience, try the chronological resume format, which leans heavily on your past work achievements.
2. What are some tips for crafting a great translator resume?
A translator resume will vary from person to person, but pay attention to these important guidelines:
- Ensure your resume is formatted correctly, meaning margins should be one inch on all sides and line space should be single or 1.5 inches.
- Only use appropriate fonts, like Times New Roman, Arial or Helvetica, in 11-12 points on the body and 14-16 points on headers.
- Proofread your resume more than once before sending it to potential employers.
3. How do you include keywords in a resume?
Employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes and look for keywords in your translator resume that indicate you’re the right fit for the job. To get the correct keywords into your document, analyze the job posting and note specific attributes that the employer is looking for, such as “oral translation at parent/teacher meetings” or “understanding of diverse cultures.” In your summary, skills and work history sections, describe yourself in ways that match up with these keywords. For example, you could list “cultural sensitivity” as a skill, or mention a work experience in which you provided oral translation.
Do’s and don’ts for building a translator resume
- Use measurable achievements to describe your writing abilities and experience.
- Use action words to make an impact on your translator resume.
- Tailor your resume to your target translator job.
- Use keywords from the job description throughout your translator resume.
- Format your translator resume so that it is easy to read by ATS software and human eyes.
- Lie about your writing experience and skills.
- Boast that you’re the “best translator ever.”
- Include irrelevant personal information such as your ethnicity and age.
- Add skills and experience not relevant to writing.
- Forget to proofread. A translator resume will be discarded immediately.
Top 4 tips for acing a translator interview
Research first.
To make a great first impression, learn about the potential employer’s history, goals, values and people before your first interview. Talking about the company knowledgeably shows genuine interest, dedication and commitment, which hiring managers like to see.
Practice makes perfect!
To practice for your interview, start by reviewing the most common interview questions, such as:
- What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
- How would your coworkers describe you?
- Describe a time when you needed to cope with a stressful situation.
Think back to some of your recent work experiences and write down one or two possible answers as you review potential questions. Then ask a friend or relative to help you practice. Ask your interview partner for a review and work on improving your weaknesses. You’ll feel confident and ready when it’s time for the real thing.
Ask questions.
Your interviewer will likely ask if you have any questions at the end of your session — and they will expect you to have at least two or three questions for them.
Some questions you might ask for a job as a translator might include:
- What are you looking for in a candidate?
- What is a typical day like in this job?
- How would my performance be evaluated?
Gather references.
Have professional references ready if the hiring manager requests them after your interview. Being prepared in advance can make a great impression. Have a list of two or three former coworkers and a manager who can speak highly of your job qualifications.
If you are applying for your first full-time job, ask a former teacher, volunteer coordinator, classmate, or community leader who can vouch for your character and skills.
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Translator Resume Example
Kellie is the content strategist for My Perfect Resume. She has more than 20 years of experience in digital media and is passionate about helping job seekers navigate their careers. She has a B.A. in English and writing from Temple University.