cvs and cover letters that work

Introduction

0 Replying to offers

0 Cover letters

0 Analysing competition

0 Before writing your CV

0 Adapting CVs to offers

0 Planning and writing

0 Language and revision

Replying to offers 0 Analysis

Removed for confidentiality reasons

Replying to offers 0 Analysis

Removed for confidentiality reasons

0 Make notes of client’s requirements

0 Gauge the client

0 Style and language

0 Subject lines

0 Use those suggested by client

0 Use a suitable own one

0 Use a creative one

0 Address the reader

0 E-mail signature

Replying to offers

0 Address the reader

0 Refer to their offer

0 Where did you find it?

0 Where did you hear about the opportunity?

0 Flatter them (in a business-like manner)

0 Address all points from their offer

0 Provide relevant experience

0 Do what they ask you to do

0 Invite them to investigate your presence

0 Links to website, Proz.com profile, online portfolio

Cover letters

0 Replying to the offer

Cover letters

•I am a legal translator •Familiar with both civil and common law systems Legal text

•Living in the UK for a number of years •Translating mostly into English for courts and police From Polish into English

•Deep understanding of employment law through various trainings from HMRC Employment contract

•I am able to meet it, or even deliver the file earlier Deadline

•Living in the UK for a number of years •British citizen English native speaker

•As I mentioned, I translate legal texts for CJS, Home Office and police (provide examples) Experience in this field

•In both languages? No, they are from Germany, won’t need it Send CV

•Price the whole assignment instead of giving a rate per word Competitive rate

•I am able to do it, can provide Trados files as well Trados Studio 2009

0 Find CVs of other translators in your language pair and specialisation (Proz.com is great for spying!)

0 What you could do as well?

0 Layout

0 Experience – the way of phrasing it

0 Mentioning clients

0 What mistakes you won’t copy?

0 Long-term benefits

0 Education and courses to follow

0 Qualifications

0 Experience

Analysing competition

0 What is your motivation to write it?

0 What is its purpose?

0 Who will be reading it?

0 The rule of 20 seconds

0 Interactive CVs

Before writing your CV

0 What is the difference between an employee’s and freelancer’s CV?

0 Why being too general with your experience doesn’t work?

0 Why you should have 2-3 versions of your CV?

0 Should you have a different CV for direct clients and for agencies?

Adapting CVs to offers

0 Personal details

Planning and writing

0 Professional headline

0 Personal statement

0 Specialisation, turnover, CAT tools, background, pitch

0 Key achievements

0 University education

0 Work appraisals

0 Experience

0 Publications, lectures, and presentations

0 Professional experience

0 Recent projects? (In fact: most relevant projects)

0 General experience

0 Non-translation experience

Planning and writing

0 Qualifications

0 Professional memberships

0 Publications

0 General skills

0 Computer skills

0 Personal skills

0 Additional languages

0 Hobbies

Planning and writing

0 Action/power verbs

0 Proofreading

0 Format

0 CV checklist

0 Updating

Language and revision

0 Do you publish your CV or is it available on request only?

0 Do you mention your end clients or add their logos?

0 Do you mention agencies you have worked for?

0 Would you go for a project-specific or general experience model?

0 Do you have a separate CV for agencies and direct clients?

0 I’d love to get your opinions! marta.stelmaszak@gmail.com

Any questions?