Translator CV Example
A translator CV is built on clearly showing the language pairs you work with, your specialism (legal, technical, medical, literary) and the translation tools you use (CAT tools). Quality and process discipline come first. Keep it one page, ATS-friendly and free of a photo or personal details.
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Laura Evans
Technical & Legal Translator (DE–EN / FR–EN)
Bristol, UK
Summary
7 years of freelance and agency translation experience. Specialist in technical and legal translation across German–English and French–English pairs. Skilled in SDL Trados and memoQ; delivered a capacity of 3,000–4,000 words per day with full adherence to deadlines.
Experience
Senior Freelance Translator · Freelance (Agency & Direct Client)
Jan 2020 – Present- ›Delivered over 3 million words of DE–EN and FR–EN technical/legal translation in 5 years.
- ›Achieved a zero-revision rate on technical manual and contract translations for an energy-sector client.
- ›Built an SDL Trados translation memory, delivering a 25% efficiency gain on repeated segments.
Translator · ABC Translation Agency
Sep 2017 – Dec 2019- ›Produced written translations in legal, finance and engineering fields.
- ›Built a terminology database, improving consistency across the team.
Skills
Education
BA Translation Studies · University of Leeds (2013 – 2017)
What to Highlight in a Translator CV
- ✓State your language pairs and levels (CEFR: C1, C2) clearly.
- ✓State your specialism: legal, technical, medical, literary — a generic "I translate anything" is weak.
- ✓List the CAT tools you use (Trados, memoQ, Wordfast).
- ✓Show volume with numbers: "3 million words", "4,000 words/day capacity".
Technical Skills
- •Source/target language command
- •SDL Trados / memoQ
- •Terminology management
- •Localisation
- •Proofreading
- •CAT tools
Soft Skills
- •Attention to detail
- •Time management
- •Research skills
- •Confidentiality
- •Deadline discipline
Common Mistakes
- ✕Not stating a specialism — saying "I translate everything" does not inspire confidence.
- ✕Not listing CAT tools; the vast majority of agencies require them.
- ✕Not showing your language level (C1/C2) clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a translator CV be?
One page is enough; with a lot of experience it can run to two. The most important things are language pairs, specialism and tools — make these visible.
Do I need a qualification?
Membership of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) is a plus. If you have it, include it.
I freelance — should I list my clients?
State the sector and project type (energy, legal, pharma); for confidentiality you do not need to name clients.
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