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No matter the language or languages, as a translator you know how to get your point across. From helping people navigate systems outside of their native tongues, to ensuring equitable treatment and making information more available for everyone, your career as a translator is all about connecting people. Now you need a resume that connects you with the perfect role.
With the help of some easy-to-follow instructions on how to write a resume and some excellent resume examples for reference, writing a translator resume that communicates your skills is easier than you might think.
Here, you’ll learn exactly what you need to know to write an impressive translator resume in a matter of minutes.
Keep reading to learn more about:
- Examples of resumes for translator applicants with and without experience.
- What makes a translator resume example great.
- Tips and tricks for writing a resume for a translator.
- What to include in every section of your translator resume.
- How to choose the right resume template and format for the role.
Looking for a faster solution? Try our professional Resume Builder for professionally-written suggestions, advice and step-by-step help writing every section.
Translator resume example
What makes this a great translator resume sample?
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It emphasizes skills.
This translation resume places a greater focus on skills rather than experience, because this candidate is still in the early stages of his career. Focusing on skills allows him to put his best foot forward.
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It uses active language.
Phrases like “achieved” and “collaborated” tell the story of this candidate’s experience with energy and an active voice.
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It’s simple.
Often, sticking to the basics is better than over-complicating things. This resume uses a very classic, simple layout that is easy to follow and does not offer any distractions to the reader.
What makes this a great translator resume sample?
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It focuses on experience.
With almost a decade of professional translation experience, this candidate made the right call by organizing her resume around her experience. This is her resume’s greatest strength, so it should be front and center.
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It highlights soft skills.
Cultural awareness and attention to detail are both essential to the role of a translator. Although they are not as technical as pure language fluency or software proficiency, they are just as important.
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It uses appropriate branding.
This resume is easy to scan and read, and the visual design elements that are included are not a distraction. Instead, they signal that the candidate is a strong communicator whose personal brand is perfect for a translation role.
Choose the right resume format for your translator resume
To land the job you want, you need to get the right information in front of a recruiter. How do you accomplish that? By selecting the right resume format.
- Experienced applicants should consider a chronological resume format to highlight work experience and a strong career progression.
- Applicants with little to no experience should consider using a functional resume format.
- Midlevel applicants with three to five years of relevant experience should consider a combination resume format to showcase a balance of skills and work experience.
Visit our guide to learn more about how to format a resume to highlight your candidacy.
Select an appropriate translator resume template
While every resume template will have the same basic sections — a professional summary or resume objective, skills, work history and education — you can customize the look and feel of your resume by selecting the right template.
Professionals pursuing careers in artistic fields may benefit from a creative resume template, but for translators we recommend something more pared down and professional. A modern resume template is perfect for communicating your qualifications without too many distractions.
How to write a translator resume in 5 simple steps
While there are some basic rules for writing a great resume, top candidates for competitive translator jobs know that the key to getting noticed is to write a resume that is specific to the industry and the role they seek.
A great resume begins with studying the job description. Then, you’ll need a resume profile that introduces your skills and experience. Next, you’ll explore both of these in detail with a skills section and a work experience section. Your education, certifications and awards come next, followed by any optional sections you decide to include, like hobbies or volunteer work.
Every one of these sections affords you with a valuable opportunity to showcase your strengths. Learn how to tailor each section of the job so employers notice you’re who they’re looking for.
STEP 1
Study the translator job description
Customizing your resume with keywords is essential in today’s competitive job market because it significantly enhances your chances of getting noticed by employers, particularly those that rely on applicant tracking systems (ATS).
ATS is a software tool employed by many companies to streamline their hiring processes. Its primary function is to scan and filter the large volume of resumes submitted for job openings, helping employers save time and identify the most suitable candidates efficiently.
Incorporating keywords is pivotal because ATS relies on these specific terms and phrases to match candidates with job postings. ATS screens resumes based on its programmed criteria, which include keywords, skills, qualifications and experience. When you customize your resume with relevant keywords from the job description, you essentially speak the language of the ATS. This ensures that your resume appears as a strong match for the job, increasing the likelihood of your application progressing to the next stage of the hiring process.
Without keyword customization, your resume may get lost in the digital haystack, never making it to the eyes of a human recruiter or hiring manager. By aligning your resume with their criteria, you’re tailoring your application to meet the specific needs and expectations of the employer, making it more likely that you’ll secure an opportunity to showcase your qualifications and skills in an interview.
STEP 2
Write a professional summary or resume objective
Your translator resume should open with a resume profile, where you introduce yourself and your career. This is your chance to tell your potential employer what you’re about and to nail that first impression.
Candidates with less experience should choose a resume objective, which focuses more on career goals and skills than work history. Applicants with more translation experience should use a professional summary, which offers a brief summary of your career highlights.
Here are some strong examples for your translator resume:
Translator professional summary example:
Accomplished translator with 13 years of expertise in Russian language translation. Proven record of delivering precise, culturally sensitive translations across diverse industries, including literature, legal, technical and business sectors. Adept at maintaining linguistic nuances, ensuring accurate conveyance of source material context. History of successful collaboration with international clients and organizations, facilitating cross-cultural communication and supporting global market expansion. Known for meticulous attention to detail, adherence to deadlines and maintaining strict confidentiality in all translation projects. Demonstrated commitment to linguistic excellence.
Translator resume objective example:
Translator with two years of experience in Spanish language translation. Proficient in maintaining linguistic precision and cultural sensitivity across various translation tasks. Committed to enhancing cross-cultural communication through accurate and contextually appropriate translations. Adept at meeting project requirements and ensuring high-quality results. Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines and adapt to evolving project needs. Seeking opportunities to further develop translation skills and contribute to effective communication between English and Spanish-speaking communities.
STEP 3
Highlight your most relevant translator skills
Regardless of your experience level, hiring managers will be looking closely at the skills you list. For a translator resume, skills should be added to your resume skills section and peppered into your professional summary (or resume objective) and your work experience section.
While your knowledge of languages will obviously be your most relevant set of skills, your ability to manage your time, collaborate with others and adapt to changing circumstances are equally vital. These are all examples of soft skills. Unlike hard skills, which are the measurable skills needed to perform a job — like knowing another language and translation best practices — soft skills are nontechnical and cannot be taught so easily. They are behaviors and personality traits that help you do your job well.
Your resume should include a balanced mix of both hard and soft skills. Below, we provide a side-by-side list of hard and soft skills to help you see the difference between the two.
Here is an example of a strong translator skills section:
- Fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin and English
- Skilled and culturally sensitive interpreter
- Proficient in various translation software including Memsource and SDL Trados
- High attention to detail
Whether you’re translating documents or interpreting speech in real time, being able to adapt fluidly is an essential skill for translators. Don’t underestimate what your soft skills can do for you and ensure you add them to your resume.
STEP 4
Write a strong translator work experience section
While the required background and experience will be different for each role, the key to getting noticed is writing a work experience section that demonstrates what you will bring to the table. Be sure to use data to back up your accomplishments and choose words that demonstrate your impact.
Here is an example of a great translator work experience entry:
German Translator, Global Language Solutions
New York, NY
August 2017 – Present
- Translate a wide range of documents, including over 300 legal contracts, technical manuals, marketing materials and medical reports, from German to English and vice versa, while ensuring accuracy, consistency and cultural sensitivity.
- Collaborate closely with two project managers to establish project scope, deadlines and client expectations, consistently meeting or exceeding project deadlines and quality standards.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive German-English translation memory and terminology database, contributing to improved translation consistency and efficiency.
- Conduct in-depth research to ensure accurate and up-to-date terminology and industry-specific vocabulary in various fields, including legal, technical and medical.
Provide post-editing services for machine-generated translations, enhancing readability and overall quality by 60%.
Make your credentials pop by using action words, data and metrics to capture the attention of a hiring manager.
STEP 5
Showcase your education and training on your translator resume
To be hired as a translator, you’ll need to show employers that you have the required education and training. Top candidates for this role often list a bachelor’s degree in either a specific language or a specialized translation program. Depending on the scope of the role, further certifications or subject matter expertise may be necessary.
How to list your translator education:
Education:
Bachelor of Arts
Japanese
New York University
New York, NY
Certifications:
- American Translators Association Certification (ATA)
If you have professional certifications or special training, add them to your resume. You can include them in your education section or add a special section to your translator resume.
Optional sections for your translator resume
Awards and certifications
Awards are a great way to showcase a particular talent, achievement or skill for which you have been recognized or acknowledged. Awards prove that you’re capable, not only of delivering but also of going above and beyond.
Certifications, on the other hand, demonstrate a continuing commitment to professional development and practical expertise with regards to the subject of the certification. Awards and certifications can both be listed within their own special sections to highlight your achievements.
How to list awards on your translator resume:
2020 Model UN Cultural Exchange Award
2018 NYU Leadership Award Scholarship Recipient
Projects
Projects are a great addition to your resume because they show you’re capable of using theoretical knowledge in real-world situations. It’s one thing to learn something in class — it’s another thing to put the ideas into practice.
Projects are also a tangible demonstration of the types of skills — from problem-solving and time management to teamwork and leadership — that are valuable to employers. Not only that but also a relevant project can highlight your long-standing passion and expertise in a given subject.
How to list projects on your translator resume:
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Legal Contracts and Agreements
- Translated a series of complex legal contracts and agreements from Spanish to English for a multinational law firm, ensuring precise terminology and legal accuracy. These documents included mergers and acquisitions agreements, confidentiality agreements and employment contracts.
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Medical Reports and Documentation
- Provided accurate translation services for medical reports and patient records from French to English for a renowned health care institution. Ensured clarity and confidentiality in translating sensitive medical information.
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Technical Manuals
- Collaborated with a leading manufacturing company to translate technical manuals and product documentation from German to English. Ensured clear and precise communication of assembly instructions and product specifications.
Languages
On most resumes, the languages section is a place to showcase cultural awareness and mental agility. Mastery of additional languages is a “bonus” skill for many careers. For a translator, though, your languages are the backbone of your career.
Odds are, you’ve already listed languages in previous sections. If there are any additional languages you happen to speak — languages other than the one that you’re seeking a career translating — you may include those in a separate languages section. Otherwise, emphasize your language proficiency throughout your resume profile, skills and experience sections.
How to list languages on your translator resume:
- Proficient in Urdu and Hindi
Interests and hobbies
Adding hobbies to your resume is appropriate as long as they’re relevant to the job. They offer an opportunity to show your personality and meaningfully connect with a potential employer. Plus, they emphasize your transferable skills, like creativity or leadership — qualities you take from job to job.
Finally, hobbies and interests can demonstrate whether you’re the right culture fit for a company. They enrich your overall profile, showing the employer how you are a unique and fully defined person.
How to list interests and hobbies on your translator resume:
- Passion for international travel
- Maintain a personal travel blog
- Enthusiastic amateur photographer
Add a cover letter
Adding a translator cover letter to your application can help you stand out. Why? Because it gives you extra space to convince the employer that you’re the right person for the job.
Learning how to write a cover letter for a translator job is an opportunity that you cannot afford to pass up. Your cover letter allows you to add extra details that don’t fit on your resume, like explaining a gap in employment or describing why you would be excited to step into the role.
Study our cover letter examples to learn how to express your unique candidacy in a compelling way and how to format your cover letter for success.
Or, if you want a job-specific cover letter in a matter of minutes, use our professional Cover Letter Builder, which offers professionally written text suggestions for every section. Use the wording as-is or customize it to suit your needs.
Key takeaways for your translator resume
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Follow our steps for a standout resume:
Take care to write all five sections of your resume in a way that is specific to the job you seek. Your professional summary, skills, work experience and education section should all contain information that is targeted to the job ad.
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Select the appropriate resume format:
Decide what you’d like to emphasize the most on your translator resume — strong skills, an impressive work history or both — and then select the template that will help you put your best foot forward.
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Be specific to the role:
Use specific information from the job ad rather than generic resume filler when crafting your document. Again, a well-written job description will tell you the critical credentials you must emphasize on your resume.
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Include both hard and soft skills:
Being a translator requires a mix of technical and personal skills to do the job well. Study our list of hard and soft skills to be sure that you include a balance of both types in your resume.
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Make your work experience section shine:
Accomplish this by using action verbs, data and metrics to show the impact of your work.
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Choose an appropriate resume template:
If you still aren’t sure which resume design is the right fit, it never hurts to stick to the basics. Try a simple template for a professional resume that gets the job done.
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Go the extra mile:
Including a well-written translator cover letter can increase your chances of landing a job interview. So, be sure to include one even if the job listing doesn’t specifically request it.
Commonly asked question about resume writing
Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.
