MA TranslationEffective CVs, jobsearch and

networkingJanet Woolnough

Purple Door Careers and Recruitment

Session overview Effective CVs Cover letters What are your options? Looking for opportunities Networking and social networking Useful contacts and resources Help from Purple Door Careers and Recruitment

Effective CVs – general points Length - max 2 pages You can decide what to include/ordering Format - clear, easy to access Language style - concise, use active words (eg

organised, developed), avoid use of I Targeted towards a particular job

There is no right way to do a CV!

What is your message?

How to target effectively What are the

requirements of the job?

What evidence do you have?

Show the match

Look at advert, job description, person specification

Identify relevant skills and experience

Ordering of information Balance of information How you describe your

experience

In or out?

Personal profile Photo

Date of birth Hobbies

Nationality GCSE subjects

Marital status A level grades

Professional memberships Skills

ReferencesTestimonials

Freelance translator - your marketing package

CV

Database profile entry – eg ProZ.com

LinkedIn Profile

Website / online portfolio

Logo? Business identity?

Freelance translation CVs – key issues Why are you sending the CV? Who is it sent to? What is your USP – your identity as a translator Accuracy – spelling and grammar Ease of reading – fonts / size Relevance of information No more than 2 pages No photo (UK) For CVs held online – protect personal information

Freelance Translation CVs http://

translatorslife.wordpress.com/2011/05/30/applying-for-translation-jobs-your-freelance-translator-cv-resume

http://www.slideshare.net/MartaStelmaszak/how-to-write-a-translators-cv

Contact details – your Brand – company/logo, link to website?

Profile Languages Professional

training/education and memberships

Specialist areas

CAT tools / other specific skills Summary of translation

projects Education Work experience Other interests/achievements References – quotes?

Employer feedbackA translation background is essential. We normally look for someone with attention to details but capable of keeping up with pre-set targets. Wiggle – a regular recruiter of in-house translators

Accuracy – not a single mistake. The smallest of typos on a CV is unacceptable in a world where accuracy at all times is important.Relevance – if you can’t be bothered to tailor the information on your CV then you clearly don’t want the job that badly.Intonation – Translation Agency

What do you think of these?http://

www.slideshare.net/anzingerd/curriculum-vitae-englisch-2-2517562

Personal detailsIf your CV is held online, be careful about

including too much personal information – e.g. address

Photo / Date of birth/ Number of children or dogs not needed

Provide a range of contact options, e.g. Skype, LinkedIn, link to website / online portfolio.

Rate this profileMature and high achieving postgraduate translation student with excellent communication and language skills. Able to work effectively in a team or on own initiative.

Create your own profileWork with a partner to create a profile.

Remember it is your headline so be clear about:

What you can offer What you want

Languages, specialist areas and project experience

LanguagesTranslation language pairs; other languages and levelsAreas of specialism Translation summary / project portfolioInclude language, field, description of project, client? (careful about confidentiality)Specialist trainingReferences /testimonials

Other areas to includeOther educationOther work experienceInterests and activitiesReferences /testimonials

For these sections think how you can show evidence of relevant skills or specialist knowledge

Your website / online portfolio How much detail should be provided - confidentiality issues? Use www.proz.com for links to translator websites / profiles

to generate ideas e.g. http://www.plumetranslations.co.uk/

Useful sites for advice on translator portfolios http

://www.mtmtranslations.com/4/post/2014/02/how-to-create-an-effective-portfolio-for-your-translation-business.html

http://rmttranslation.com/portfolio/ http://websitesfortranslators.co.uk/webdesign/portfolio/

When it goes wrong!

CVs for other language jobsExample jobsTarget to meet the needs of the employersBroader skills and experience are likely to be

needed – not just your language skillsPurple Door CV guide

Marketing your educationDegree

How relevant is the content?

Overview or detail

Skills developed

Dissertation/relevant projects

Other education

A level grades – in or out?GCSEs – 10 GCSE C+ including Maths, English and Science

Marketing your experience

Outline key responsibilities and achievements

Consider clustering your experience e.g. Relevant experience – other experience

Make ‘unrelated jobs’ relevant by showing skills developed

Lots of similar experience? - cluster and analyse together

Other interests and achievements

Can include, voluntary work, positions of responsibility – e.g. course rep, other interests

Don’t just state – analyseWhat did the role involve?Bring out skills

What impression are you creating?Reading, chess and needlework

Socialising with friends?

CV Formats

Chronological CV • Qualifications and experience in reverse chronological order• Especially useful if your degree or previous work experience

relates closely to the jobs for which you are applying.

Skills Based CV• Use to highlight important technical and

transferable/interpersonal skills acquired and demonstrated in various contexts

• Especially good if you want to draw attention to important skills.

Covering lettersUse a business style

and be concise Use the correct form of

ending -Yours sincerely or Yours faithfully

Aim for 3 – 4 paragraphs on one side of A4 paper

Suggested layoutPara 1 - Who you are and why you are writingPara 2 - Why interested in role/organisation Para 3 - What you can offerFinish with - Positive ending

Applying Outside UK Check conventions for country concerned –

www.prospects.ac.uk Handwritten letters the norm in some European

countries Photos? Europass CV and Language Passport? Check regulations e.g. visa rules

Translation – finding opportunities Speculative approaches to agencies Use of professional body registers and jobsites http://www.translationjobs.co.uk/ www.proz.com – good portal for translation jobsobs

EU roles - http://europa.eu/epso/index_en.htm- General administrator or translation

competitions- Paid traineeships

Other language jobs Wide range of jobs require language skills in wide

range of sectors: banking/finance; sales/marketing; customer service …

Level of experience needed will vary Roles may be varied, possibly including some

translation Could help you develop ‘specialist area’ for use in

translation later Look for opportunities with specialist recruitment

agencies/jobsites (see previous slide)

Language specialist jobsites Specialist recruitment agencies/jobsites- www.eurolondon.com- www.languagebusiness.co.uk- www.toplanguagejobs.co.uk- www.coriniumlanguage.co.uk- www.multilingualvacancies.com

Graduate Training Schemes With large companies and organisations In wide range of job functions – training provided Language skills could be useful – company could be

operating globally www.prospects.ac.uk www.targetjobs.co.uk www.port.ac.uk/careers www.eurograduate.com

Professional membership

Directory of members for speculative applications Register of linguists Training / networking events Mentoring / advice e.g. ITI Orientation Course, ITI

Professional Support Group Evidence of commitment to profession www.iti.org.uk, www.iol.org.uk

Creative jobsearch Research companies using business directories/professional

bodies Create targeted speculative applications Use your networks and contacts Use social networking techniques – Twitter and Linkedin

increasingly used in Jobsearch

One in four graduate jobs gained through networking and internships

Speculative approach See speculative application guide Professional Directories and Business Directories e.g.

Hampshire Business Directory www.yell.com What do Portsmouth Graduates Do?

www.port.ac.uk/intranet/employability - intranet only

Word of mouth recommendation

Benefits of networking

"Networking can be scary, but about 70% of jobs are found through networking. Students who spend their time trolling job boards should instead spend that time making solid connections with people who are respected and involved in the workforce, industry experts and alumni, and spend only 30% of their time looking at job listings.’’

Lindsey Pollak

It’s not just the person you are talking to – it's all the people they know

Never underestimate anyone. You never know who they used to be, who they are connected to now and who they might go on to be.

Network with the intention of helping other people, not yourself.

http://www.4networking.biz/Pages/Tips

Build your confidence in networking

Where / how can you network?

What skills and techniques help to make networking effective?

Who’s in your network? Try this suggestion from the University of the

Arts, London:

http://www.careers-creative-living.co.uk/images/resources/new_community_map.pdf

Who can you network with?

My Networ

k

Social contacts

Neighbours

Their friends

Their friends

University Friends

Their work colleagues

Clubs/ societies/

sport conatcts

Work Colleagues

School / college friends

Family

Their contacts Professional

contacts

Their friends

Their work colleagues

Their work colleagues

Their work colleagues

Their friends

Their friends

Their friends

Voluntary work

contacts

Acquaintances

Their friends

Growing and maintaining networks

Networking using (professional) social media

Networking using social mediaGoogle yourselfBe professionalManage your online presenceUse to search for jobs

http://careers.guardian.co.uk/how-to-get-on-employers-radar?goback=%2Egde_4146677_member_177877468

.Build a professional profileMake connectionsAsk for recommendationsFollow people and companiesJoin groupsJoin in discussionsBe proactiveBe an expert

The LinkedIn profileElements in your profile: Basic info: title, summary, specialities, experience, education,

links to blogs/Twitter/websites etc, honours and awards, interests, personal info., contact settings,

Additional info: recommendations, groups, blog feed, Amazon reading list, Slideshare presentations etc

Example profile: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/carleycummings

LinkedIn groups Joining groups will help you expand your network of contacts Can automatically view most profiles of (and send message

to) people in same group

Tips: See if groups are UK specific (no location search yet but can

enter ‘UK’ as a keyword) Look for high membership groups Change your settings for the group to ‘weekly digest’ or de-

select the Digest email box

In addition to this leaflet, LinkedIn has produced a range of leaflets and short films outlining how to use LinkedIn effectively. http://students.linkedin.com/

TwitterTweet responsibly and professionallyFind people outside your networkFollow people and talk to them!Link to your own contentFollow companies and recruitment

companies/agencies

BloggingBlog about your subject or career passionFollow and comment on the blogs of others

that interestBe professional Be informedBuild a positive professional reputation

Remember Be proactive

Be professional

Manage your online presence – Google yourself – what impression do you create

Stay focused and positive!

Help from Purple Door

Drop in for help with CVs Book an appointment for help with application forms Workshops and events Lots of useful information at www.port.ac.uk/careers Online jobsboard for graduate jobs, part-time jobs and

volunteering In-house recruitment service finding graduate opportunities

and volunteering in the local area

EnterpriseHave you got an idea for a business or social enterprise? Meet our Student Enterprise Team, they offer: Drop-in clinics for advice on your ideas Workshops to help you develop your ideas further A Social Start-up programme for those interested

in social enterprise

facebook.com/purpledoorcareersandrecruitment

Careers and Recruitment Social Media

Linkedin: Purple Door Careers Recruitment UoP

Find out what’s happening

twitter.com/PurpleDoorCR

Over 30 FREE events a month! Visit our Facebook events page to find out what’s happening!

Contact us:Purple Door Careers and Recruitment

Purple Door28 Guildhall Walk

Portsmouth02392 842684

www.port.ac.uk/careers