Translator Resume (CV)—Sample and 25+ Writing Tips

You get to see other people’s documents on a daily basis, getting a sneak peek into the good, the boring, and the ugly: Driver’s licenses, government forms, various declarations beginning with ‘I hereby’.

Some texts stand out: They’re set-out better, clear, concise, and even engaging. Make your translator resume like those documents. Read on to learn how.

In this guide:

• A translator resume sample better than most.
• Creating the perfect translator job descriptions for a resume.
• How to write a resume for translator jobs that stands out.
• Expert tips and examples to boost your chances of landing an interview.

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Looking to expand into technical writing? Or maybe you’re just getting started. We have a guide for everyone, these are just some examples:

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Translator Resume Sample

Now here’s how to write a translator resume they’ll love:

1. Select the Best Translator Resume Format for You

You’ve dealt with your fair share of poorly formatted and terribly laid out documents. Save recruiters that pain. Make your resume format a breath of readable air. Here’s what they expect your resume will look like:

Translator Resume Format

• Use the reverse-chronological resume format if you’ve been working on part-time and full-time contracts. Go with a functional resume format if you’ve been freelancing.
• Choose a simple resume font like a Arial in 11–12 pt.
• Leave your resume margins at one inch and don’t bunch your text up on the page.
• Limit your resume to a single page. Go to a second resume page only if you have 15+ years of experience.
• Include at least these resume sections: Resume Header, Summary/Objective, Work Experience, Education, and Skills. Make use of extra resume sections.

Expert Hint: Don’t add a full address to your resume. Your name and surname, and basic contact details will suffice.

2. Craft a Catchy Translator Resume Objective or Summary

Few things can put readers off more effectively than a weak start. Grab recruiters’ attention with a resume profile that leaves them hanging on your every word.

Got some solid experience working as a translator? Then start with a resume summary. It’ll let you focus on your past achievements. Use:

1. One adjective (efficient, reliable, flexible)
2. Job title (Translator)
3. Years of experience (2+, 7+)
4. What you bring to the table (ensure fast turnaround times and accurate translations)
5. Your best 2–3 translator achievements (mentored 11 new translators, translated up to 120 pages per day)

These translator resume examples show how:

Translator Resume Summary

Industrious translator with 6+ years’ experience working in both profit-driven and diplomatic contexts. Seeking opportunity to leverage attention to detail and proven cultural awareness in helping Scarlett LLC with its expansion onto the Japanese market. Mentored 11 new translators at Aqua Turquoise Translators while translating up to 120 pages per day.

Bilingual translator with experience working in both profit-driven and diplomatic contexts. Seeking opportunity to hone skills and work with interesting documents at Scarlett LLC. Mentored new translators at Aqua Turquoise Translators while continuing to carry a normal translation workload.

 

It’s the first example that backs its claims up with numbers and is focused on what the candidate can do for the company. Because companies don’t care what you need from them.

What if you don’t have any professional translating experience? Write a resume objective instead and draw upon non-translator jobs as well as your studies for relevant achievements.

Translator Resume Objective

Enthusiastic translator with 2+ years’ experience in freelance and volunteer translation. Seeking opportunity to leverage attention to detail and cultural awareness in helping Scarlett LLC with its expansion onto the Japanese market. Native English speaker, proficient in Spanish (ILR 5, CEFR C2) and Japanese (ILR 4+, CEFR C2) and currently studying Russian.

No experience other than odd translating jobs and own coursework/tutoring. Looking to make a start with a progressive company that looks after its employees.

Both examples describe the same candidate. Be specific and concrete and focus on what you can do for them.

Expert Hint: Write a targeted resume. Scan the job ad for specific skills and responsibilities and treat them as your resume keywords sprinkling them throughout your resume.

3. Create the Perfect Translator Job Descriptions and Skills Section

Think you can handle the workload of a professional translator? There’s a sure-fire to convince recruiters: Show them you’ve handled it before. Pack your resume work history section with achievements.

How to write a job description for translator resumes:

1. Skim through the job ad one more time.
2. Pay attention to the translator skills and duties mentioned there.
3. Take note of times you’d demonstrated those skills and performed those duties.
4. Write resume bullet points that give concrete, quantified examples.

These translator resume examples show how:

Translator Job Description for a Resume

Spanish-English Translator

Aqua Turquoise Translators

2017–present

• Completed 100% of tasks on time, including express jobs.
• Translated up to 120 pages per day.
• Maintained 96% customer satisfaction rating, four points over the company average.
• Mentored 11 new translators through the induction program.

Spanish-English Translator

Aqua Turquoise Translators

2017–present

• Completed tasks on time, including express jobs.
• Translated many documents each day.
• Was known for keeping customers happy.
• Mentored new translators through the induction program.

Small tweaks lead to huge differences. What you’re aiming for here are not responsibility but accomplishment statements. Be specific, quantify everything you can, and focus on the benefits you’ve brought to previous employers and you can’t go wrong.

One more thing, while we’re delving into your past: You’ll need skills to put on your resume.

But more is not necessarily better. Anyone can grab skills from the web and paste them in. You’re better than that. The trick to an effective skills section is selection.

Be sure to cover what the job ad requires and stick to soft and technical skills you actually posses. Here are some example translator skills to get your brain storming:

Translator Skills for a Resume

Hard Skills

• Analysis
• Research
• Copywriting
• Editing
• Proofreading
• Consecutive interpretation
• Simultaneous interpretation
• Project management
• Touch typing (95+ WPM)
• Database management
• Computer literacy

Soft Skills

• Oral communication
• Written communication
• Cultural awareness
• Time management
• Multitasking
• Creative writing
• Organization
• Problem solving
• Critical thinking
• Teamwork

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.

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4. Translate Your Education into a Reason to Hire You

Education won’t always be a requirement, but it certainly speaks volumes. List your degrees (with majors), school names, and years attended.

Then, to really stand out: Add a couple of bullet points to each degree that show how you’re translator material. This translator resume example shows how:

Interpreter Translator Resume Sample—Education Section

BS in Translation, Kent State University, OH

2011–2015

• Graduated with a minor in Japanese.
• Pursued a passion for linguistics through course and project work.

Short on translator experience? Use your education section to include bullet points on projects, courses, and accomplishments that show your suitability for the translator’s life.

Expert Hint: Took time off to study and worried about an employment gap in your resume? Don’t be! Gaps are only a problem if there is no indication of what you were doing during that time. 

5. Elaborate On Your Translator Resume With Added Sections

Work experience, skills, and education. That’s all that’s needed to paint a full and vivid picture of you as a translator.

Is there still more you can show? Then add one or two extra resume sections to flesh out that portrait. Here’s what else you can include in your resume:

• Foreign Languages
• Classes Taken
• Awards
• List of Activities, Hobbies, and Interests
• Volunteering
• Certifications on a Resume

Bilingual Translator Resume Example—Extra Sections

Certifications

• Certified Translator – Spanish to English, American Translators Association
• Certified Translator – English to Spanish, American Translators Association

Languages

• English: Native
• Spanish: Proficient (ILR 5, CEFR C2, ACTFL Distinguished)
• Japanese: Advanced (ILR 4+, CEFR C2, ACTFL Superior)
• Russian: Intermediate (ILR 2+, CEFR B2, ACTFL Advanced Mid)

Certifications

• American Translators Association

Languages

• English
• Spanish
• Japanese
• Russian

There are many versions of that second example out there, don’t let yours be one of them. Be specific and concrete, and make sure every word is relevant to the job ad at hand.

One last burst of effort before you click ‘send’: You need to write a cover letter. 50% of hiring managers still expect to get them!

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

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Key Points

For a translator resume that gets more interviews than ever before:

• Use the translator resume template given up top. It’s clean and clear and ticks all the boxes.
• Put translator resume achievementsin your resume profile, work history, and education sections to show your skills in action.
• Choose the right translator skills to put in your resume. The job ad is the arbiter of what’s appropriate here.
• Include a translator cover letter. Use it to demonstrate your passion for the role and make a case for you’re the right translator for the job.

Need more advice on how to draft your most effective translator resume ever? Leave your questions, comments, and feedback below and we’ll be glad to get back to you.

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