Translator resume examples & templates

Language makes our world go around, so in a global marketplace, it is critical that translations convey the original meaning. We've all read the small print on a kid’s toy or consumable goods and recognized that it definitely wasn’t written by a native speaker. In this case, it may not affect our use of the product, but there are many situations where a forensically accurate translation is critical. 

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Whether in the medical, technology, education, or corporate fields (among many others), professional translators are the people who have the job of using different words to convey the same meaning. Grammatical structures and language patterns vary, but translators must find a way to get the message across to the audience with the right effect. A translator resume must do the same.

Resume guide for a translator resume

In our global world, proficient (human) translators are in huge demand. In this resume guide, we will explore what makes a great translator and how you can showcase your translation approach on your resume. You have to be able to explain how you weave your linguistic magic. 

When it is your job to have a deep appreciation of the written word, people will expect your resume to be a masterpiece of language. However, it isn’t always easy to know how to write about yourself, so this guide and translator resume example will cover the following:

• How to write a translator resume that shows your linguistic ability
• Choosing the right resume format for a translator resume
• How to add your contact information
• Using summaries
• Adding your translator experience
• Listing education and relevant experience
• Picking the right resume design/layout to put your words at the forefront
• How the translator job outlook and market look, as well as what salary you can expect

Along with our 500+ resume examples and resume builder tool, we will help you to make your experience jump off the page.

How to write a translator resume

The first step in writing your translator resume is understanding what sections to include. Your language translator resume should contain the following elements:

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

Translators’ job descriptions are likely to be very specific about the nature of their work and the requirements for their role. The employer must be this specific to attract the right candidates, so it is important that candidates take their lead from the language in the job posting. Make sure that you mirror their terminology (even if you would say things differently) and remember that repetition of language is not a bad thing if it influences the decision makers. 

Additional ways you can ensure success include:

• Highlight achievements and impacts, not just responsibilities. If an organization is hiring a translator, chances are high they understand the basic job duties required. Instead, you should showcase the unique impact you’ve had in your past roles and what sets you apart.
• Your written content should be the focus of your translator resume, but that requires a design and layout that makes it easy to read and understand your experience. Use a translator resume template that is polished and professional.
• Inject your resume with the relevant keywords from the job posting to ensure success, whether your resume is viewed by a human or an algorithm.

Choosing the right resume format for a translation resume

The resume format you choose should highlight your deep expertise in the relevant industry and allow your projects to take center stage. There are no specific rules about which format to choose, but we can suggest some guiding principles. 

First, ensure that it’s visually clean, easy to read, and symmetrical. You will have a lot to say about your achievements, but the starring moments of your career will be lost if it is cluttered. 

Second, don’t make it too densely technical in any sections. A recruiter without a deep understanding might skip over to more readable parts. Including technical terms is good, but make sure that they are integrated into the story of your career. Third, most professionals have success with the reverse chronological format, wherein their resume begins with their most recent experience and works backwards. 

Our resume template collection has a wide range of designs: check out the professional and modern template categories for a great professional image. 

Include your contact information

Spending your career handling the business of language has given you a deep appreciation for the conveyance of information, so you probably understand the importance of sharing your contact information on your resume. You can do this by creating a detailed header. 

Ensure the information in the header is easily accessible, accurate, and professionally presented. Focus on the following:

• Full name & title. List your first and last name and the title of the role you’re pursuing.
• Professional email address. You know how much words matter, so use a clean email format like [email protected]—not one that’s inappropriate or silly.
• Phone number. Add the best number at which to reach you, ensure your voicemail is set up with a professional greeting, and be sure your inbox isn’t full.
• Location. Simply list your city and state; there’s no need to add your zip code and including your full street address can put your safety at risk. If you’re willing to relocate, you can add “Willing to Relocate” here.
• LinkedIn. If your LinkedIn profile is active, relevant, and showcases your translation and language expertise, you can link to it.

Don’t include:

• Date of birth: This isn’t necessary and could potentially lead to age discrimination.
• Personal details: Marital status, social security number, passport number, etc.

Make use of a summary

Translation is the art of getting across your message as accurately as possible in the least amount of words possible. No one wants to read a rambling sentence when three words will suffice. This art of effective brevity will be on show in a translator’s summary section. 

Given this subconscious desire from the client for succinct communication, it is a great idea for a translator’s summary to be brief and to the point—just 2-4 sentences. Your summary should provide an overarching narrative of your experience and past success, ideally by sharing specific metrics and examples. 

First, show your experience in the industries and functions of the employer you’re targeting. Translators have many areas of expertise, so while it is important to highlight your broad experience, don’t include too many details that aren’t relevant for the company reading your resume. 

Second, mention the software that you use and how you go about your translations. Employers are looking for translators who are at the cutting edge of their craft and who make the most of the available tech. 

You can find adaptable translator resume example summaries below:

Outline your translator work experience 

The employment history of a translator resume should detail your relevant experience, but keep it recent: don’t go further back than 10-15 years. If you have experience that you feel strongly about including but is not related to translation work, you may consider creating an “other experience” section. 

Your employment history should start with the role that is most recent and work backwards from there. Under each role, you can include results-based points from your work history in concise bullet point statements. Think about your past experience using the STAR method:

• S—the situation that you were in
• T—the task(s) you handled
• A—the actions/strategy you used
• R—the result you achieved

The more specific you can be, the better. It’s easy to quickly jot down a translator resume that includes points such as:

• “Consulted with translation clients.”
• “Offered detailed translations.”
• “Used translation software.”

While none of that is inaccurate to a translator job, there’s nothing that sets you apart from the hundreds of other applicants a role may receive. With the STAR method and a focus on specific metrics and results, you can transform those bullets into something much more compelling:

• “Provided consultations for clients, assessing their project needs and goals to execute high-priority translation requests.”
• “Translated legal documents in languages including English, Spanish, German, French, and Italian, leveraging subject matter expertise and legal knowledge.”
• “Used translation software to expedite project delivery and ensure accuracy, including GlobalLink and Pairaphrase.”

Translation work can sometimes be intermittent depending on the cycle of the global economy, so it is vital that the employment history section is as packed with projects and details as possible. You need to portray yourself as someone who has had a constant flow of projects and ideally has been able to pick and choose roles. 

Take a look at the translator employment history resume sample below:

How to write a resume for translator work with no experience 

Many translator jobs will require some level of experience in the field, but all hope is not lost if you’re lacking direct experience on your resume. It just means you have to translate your transferable skills into something more relevant to show you’d excel at the job.

Transferable skills can include interpreter experience or other language experience, like teaching English language learners or teaching a foreign language to English speakers. It could also include writing or other work you’ve done in multiple languages. Even something like serving both English- and French-speaking customers could show your skills. 

Education matters here, too. If you have a degree in a language, linguistics, or language education, that’s worth including. 

Don’t forget to include any languages in which you can speak, write, or otherwise communicate, as well as your proficiency level. 

Include the key skills that make you a great translator

Translators have a very different job from interpreters, so it's important that your resume reflects this. Interpreting language orally is an immediate and dynamic occupation that relies on split-second linguistic decisions and quick wits. A translator, on the other hand, often has an ocean of text to work on, but because the nature of the written word is permanent, even the smallest mistake in the wrong area could ruin things. Their job is the equivalent of running a linguistic marathon, while an interpreter could be compared to a sprinter. 

So what are the best skills to include? Think in terms of both hard and soft skills. On one hand, hard skills can be specific languages, subject matter expertise, or software skills. On the other hand, soft skills like attention to detail can be key to showing your abilities as a translator. 

Our resume builder offers numerous pre-written skills to consider, or you have the option to add your own. Here’s what the skills box looks like in our translator resume template. 

While the resume skills section is an important reflection of your talents, it’s not the only place to show off your translation skills. They should be documented throughout your resume, especially in the summary and work history sections. Pay attention to the top skills in the job description and then highlight, for example, your:

• Language fluency by detailing the various languages you speak/write, and the types of translations you’ve done with them.
• Subject-matter expertise, whether that’s legal, medical, or something else.
• Software knowledge by sharing which translation software you’ve used, when you used them, and what you used them for.

Detail your education & relevant translator certifications

The education section for a translator is important, especially if you want to prove your theoretical base. 

A college degree is a good start; a bachelor’s degree is typical. You may pursue a degree in foreign language, translation, or a related area. Programs you may consider include a bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. in translation; a master’s or Ph.D. in translation studies; or a master’s in language literature and translation.

Additionally, however, you should include related certifications, courses, or affiliations: 

• Training and certifications. There are plenty of translation certifications, including the American Translators Association (ATA), as well as certifications in state court interpretation, federal court interpretation, medical interpretation, legal interpretation, and more.
• Internships. Did you complete any related internships while undergoing your education? If you gained valuable skills and training, it’s worth including here.
• Professional affiliations. Are you an ATA member or a member of the International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters (IAPTI), or one of the other myriad translation associations? This shows your passion for the industry and desire to further your expertise.

Pick the right resume layout and design for a translator resume

Although a translator resume should call attention to your talent with language, visual design still matters. You'll need an effective, easy to read resume that clearly states your experience and accomplishments. 

This means your resume should be eye-catching but not overly flashy; think sleek and streamlined. The goal of the design is to call attention to your words. We recommend a classic template that uses an ample balance between whitespace and text, limited color and font choices, and no graphics or tables. 

Of course, a properly crafted resume takes work—and that's where we come in. Consider using one of our attractive resume templates, which are field-tested and effective. 

Translator text-only resume example

Translator job market and outlook

Because the world continues to be more and more globally connected, there will always be a need for those who can translate between languages and bring us closer together. 

That means the demand for translators is exploding. Between 2022 and 2032, job demand for translators and interpreters is expected to grow 4%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which also reports that specific areas of need are military and national security. 

What type of salary you can expect in translation work

Translators and interpreters earned a median annual salary of $57,090 in 2023. The lowest 10 percent earned under $35,410 per year, while the highest paid 10 percent brought in over $97,000. 

According to the BLS, the highest-paying industry for translation services was the government, followed by professional, scientific, and technical services. While not drastically lower paying, jobs in hospitals and educational services provide a bit less. 

Key takeaways for building a translator resume

The market for translators is exploding as more and more businesses operate internationally. Translators must understand and convey the nuance of language and meaning, and will therefore be expected to do so in their resume. It’s important to choose your words carefully to entice both recruiters and applicant tracking systems and truly display your expertise with language. 

Save time and empower your translator job hunt with a few easy clicks using our online resume builder, or check out our advice on how to write a resume or cover letter, all written by HR experts.