If you're bilingual or fluent in two or more languages, you may have considered a career as a translator at some point. No matter what languages you speak or where you live, translators have a number of qualities in common that make them different from all other language specialists.

For one thing, translators are innately curious. This is especially important for freelancers because unless you work strictly with one specific industry or set of clients, you never know what type of document you may be asked to translate. One day you could be translating marketing materials for a new environmental product, and the next, perhaps a document about electronic patents in Europe. Every day is different, and a natural curiosity about your subject is a must!

Second, translators are also often very self-sufficient. We have to be. Much of our work involves researching, sometimes high and low, to find just the right word for a particular context. Your agency clients don't have the time to do your terminology research for you and your direct clients won't think much of your translation skills if they have to hold your hand while you ask question after question about every term in the source document. In order to be truly successful as a translator and really love your job, you have to be resourceful and know where to look to find what you need to carry out your translations accurately and properly.

Third, translators are also very detail-oriented. Freelance translators in particular have to be absolutely meticulous about meeting deadlines. There's nothing worse than promising a client that you will deliver a document for a certain deadline, and missing the deadline by an hour or more, or even totally blowing the deadline because you didn't manage your time properly. If you're unreliable or you don't fulfil your commitments, you won't be getting another job request!

Lastly, good translators are always learning from their mistakes in an effort to get better at honing and perfecting their craft as language professionals. Good translators ask for feedback and receive it graciously, making a note of anything that wasn't clear or that they didn't understand. Ask for feedback and use this opportunity to improve your skills and show your clients exactly why they made the right choice hiring you!