Translator Interview Preparation Guide Download PDF
Translator based Frequently Asked Questions by expert members with experience as Translator. These questions and answers will help you strengthen your technical skills, prepare for the new job test and quickly revise the concepts
80 Translator Questions and Answers:
1 :: Why should we hire you as an interpreter?
Tell them that you are very good at your speaking skills. You comfortable is fluently speaking the languages you know.
2 :: Tell me how did you land your first translation job?
I got my first job through Georgetown University right after I'd graduated from their program. A prestigious law firm needed a freelancer to translate some correspondence that was going to be presented in an international lawsuit, so they called Georgetown asking for the names and phone numbers of the most recent graduates of the Spanish to English program, and contacted me.
3 :: Where did you gain experience as Translator?
You'll always be asked about your interpreting experience. You can prepare ahead of time by asking yourself the following questions, and being prepared to provide this information to your interviewer when asked.
► Did you attend ITP or take interpreting classes to understand how it works in the interpreting world?
► Have you taken classes/workshops to expand your education and skills that will help as an interpreter?
► Have you trained in positions that are relevant to the interpreting assignments (ie. medical, legal, workshops, etc)
► Where did you work?
► What interpreting experience do you have?
► How long have you been an interpreter? Specifically, certified? State credential?
► Did you take on any additional responsibilities as an interpreter to enhance your skills?
► Did you identify problem areas and improved those areas to enhance quality service?
► What have you done that will show me that you can do this job?
Many companies are curious what your past experience or what you have done to enhance your education or learning for improvement. When someone takes the time to go to workshops/classes or accept feedback (both pro/con) graciously and improve upon it in an effort to provide better service is something that companies do look for.
► Did you attend ITP or take interpreting classes to understand how it works in the interpreting world?
► Have you taken classes/workshops to expand your education and skills that will help as an interpreter?
► Have you trained in positions that are relevant to the interpreting assignments (ie. medical, legal, workshops, etc)
► Where did you work?
► What interpreting experience do you have?
► How long have you been an interpreter? Specifically, certified? State credential?
► Did you take on any additional responsibilities as an interpreter to enhance your skills?
► Did you identify problem areas and improved those areas to enhance quality service?
► What have you done that will show me that you can do this job?
Many companies are curious what your past experience or what you have done to enhance your education or learning for improvement. When someone takes the time to go to workshops/classes or accept feedback (both pro/con) graciously and improve upon it in an effort to provide better service is something that companies do look for.
4 :: Tell us somthing about your education?
Tell about the education degrees you have completed in your past. You can also mention the status of your current education if you are doing some higher degrees such as PhD. or some other.
5 :: What have you learned from your mistakes in your last job or project taken?
Do not committed mistakes, be honest and just share a small mistake which is not more related to your job and share about what all positive things you learnt from it.
6 :: Did you perform a job shadow or mentor-ship/internship?
As an interpreter no, but I did shadowed language tour guides to learn how to conduct tours in foreign languages.
7 :: What would you do if you were interpreting and a person used gestures which are not understood in the culture of the other person?
In medical training program, I learned that we have to interpret everything the patient say or what ever gesture they do. In the role of interpreter, I just interpret exactly what ever gesture they make.
8 :: When did you decide to become an interpreter and why?
When I discovered that I was good at several languages, and a good experience, I decided to become an interpreter. My first aim is to help break language barriers while making some money.
9 :: Do you want to keep learning and developing yourself?
Definitely, I am a life long learner; and I have received several certificates in languages and communication.
10 :: Do you have a passion for this type of work?
Yes, I have a passion of languages; therefore interpretation is a passion for me.