Exemple de CV : Translator

Choose the right format for a Translator resume

Use a reverse-chronological format unless you are switching specializations or have fewer than two years of paid experience, in which case a combination format works better. Keep the resume to one page if you have under ten years of experience; two pages are acceptable for senior translators with multiple language pairs and subject-matter specializations.

Use clean, single-column layouts with clear section headers. Avoid text boxes, tables, or columns — many applicant tracking systems used by LSPs (language service providers) and corporate translation departments parse these poorly and drop content.

• Set margins between 0.6 and 1 inch; use 10–12 pt font (Calibri, Arial, or Georgia)
• List your language pairs prominently near the top, e.g., 'Spanish > English | Portuguese > English'
• Include a LinkedIn URL and, if applicable, a link to a ProZ.com or Proz Blue Board profile
• Name your file: FirstName-LastName-Translator-Resume.pdf

Write a professional summary that targets the role

Your summary should state your language pairs, years of experience, subject-matter domains, and one or two measurable achievements in three to four sentences. Generic phrases like 'detail-oriented professional' waste space — lead with specifics that match the job posting.

Example: "ATA-certified Spanish-English translator with 8 years of experience in legal and financial document translation for Fortune 500 clients. Delivers 2,500–3,000 words per day with a 99.6% on-time delivery rate across projects managed in Plunet and memoQ. Specialized in contracts, SEC filings, and compliance documentation; familiar with GDPR and US regulatory terminology."

Write work-experience bullets that show output and impact

Hiring managers at LSPs and in-house teams want to see volume, speed, accuracy rates, and client outcomes — not vague descriptions of duties. Every bullet should answer 'so what?' and include at least one number where possible. Specify the CAT tool used, the subject domain, and the direction of translation.

Structure each bullet as: Action verb + what you translated + for whom + measurable result or scope.

• Translated 1.2M words of medical device documentation (IFUs, clinical trial protocols) from German into English over 18 months using SDL Trados Studio, maintaining a 98.8% quality score on client QA audits
• Localized a SaaS platform UI (14,000 strings) from English into French and Canadian French in Phrase (Memsource), reducing post-editing revision cycles by 30% through consistent terminology management in a custom glossary of 2,400 terms

Skills and certifications recruiters and ATS systems look for

List hard skills in a dedicated section, not buried in job descriptions. ATS systems used by major LSPs — including Lionbridge, TransPerfect, and RWS — scan for CAT tool names, certification acronyms, and domain terminology. Spell out acronyms once, then use the abbreviation.

Certifications carry real weight in translation hiring. The ATA (American Translators Association) certification is the US benchmark; for legal work, the NAJIT (National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators) credential matters. ISO 17100 familiarity signals you understand professional quality workflows.

• CAT tools: SDL Trados Studio, memoQ, Phrase (Memsource), Wordfast, OmegaT, Déjà Vu
• TM and terminology management: MultiTerm, TermBase, Glossary management in memoQ
• Project management platforms: Plunet, XTRF, Wordbee
• Certifications: ATA Certification, NAJIT, DHS/State Department interpreter clearance, EN 15038/ISO 17100 compliance
• Domain keywords: legal, medical, pharmaceutical, financial, technical, software localization, marketing transcreation

Education, licenses, and extras that strengthen your candidacy

A bachelor's or master's degree in Translation Studies, Linguistics, or a related field belongs in the education section with institution, degree, and graduation year. If your degree is in another field (law, medicine, engineering), list it — it directly supports your subject-matter specialization and is a selling point, not a gap.

Add a separate 'Languages' line that specifies proficiency levels using ILR or CEFR scale (e.g., Spanish: ILR 5 / Native; French: ILR 4 / Full Professional). Include continuing education such as ATA webinars, Coursera localization courses, or university certificate programs in legal or medical translation. If you have published translations, list up to three with publisher and year.

• List any security clearances (Secret, TS/SCI) if applying for government or defense translation contracts
• Include professional memberships: ATA, NAJIT, NCTA, NOTIS, or regional chapters
• If freelance, note your years in business and approximate annual word volume as a credibility signal

Mistakes to avoid

• ×Listing language pairs only in the summary and omitting them from a dedicated skills or header section causes ATS systems to miss them entirely.
• ×Using vague domain labels like 'technical translation' without specifying the industry (e.g., automotive, aerospace, medical devices) makes it impossible for recruiters to match you to specialized roles.
• ×Omitting CAT tool names or listing only one tool signals limited workflow experience to LSPs that require specific platform proficiency as a baseline requirement.
• ×Failing to distinguish between translation and interpretation experience conflates two distinct skill sets and misleads hiring managers who are sourcing for one specific service.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need ATA certification to get hired as a translator in the US?

ATA certification is not legally required, but it is the most recognized professional credential in the US market and is often listed as preferred or required by corporate clients and larger LSPs. Without it, you can still compete by demonstrating subject-matter expertise, strong CAT tool proficiency, and a track record of volume and quality metrics. Many translators work successfully for years before sitting the ATA exam.

Should I list every language pair I can work with, even weak ones?

Only list language pairs you can deliver at a professional, billable quality level — typically ILR 3 or higher in the target language and native or near-native in the source. Listing marginal pairs and underdelivering on a test translation or project damages your reputation with an LSP more than a shorter language list would. Stick to the pairs you can defend in a translation test.

How do I write a translator resume if most of my work has been freelance?

Treat your freelance practice as a business: create a single entry titled 'Freelance Translator' or use your registered business name, list the date range, and bullet your top clients (by industry or name if permitted), word volumes, domains, and tools used. If you have worked through agencies under NDA, describe the client type rather than the name. Concrete metrics — words translated, on-time delivery rates, quality scores — replace the employer brand and carry the same weight.