HAVE A LIST AT HAND

Just yesterday an agency contacted me about a 15,000+ word SP>EN pharmaceutical translation. This is not my field of expertise so I referred the fellow to NOTA and ATA members. When someone calls for XXX assignment that you can’t fulfill, follow-up with at least three names of people who can. There’s enough work for all of us.

HEALTHCARE INTERPRETER WEBINARS

One professional responsibility of translators and interpreters is to maintain and improve their skills and knowledge. Many take the path of certification to bolster not only the resume but also to raise consciousness of the inherent skills of our field. You decide if, at all, you would wish to become certified.

CCHI provides the opportunity for interpreters from across the field to offer their insights and ideas. The CCHI Webinar series explores critical issues in the field of interpreting and welcomes your participation. Register today for these upcoming webinars:
March 2: CHI™Exam: What to Expect
June 8: Maintaining Your CCHI Credential: Continuing Education
September 7: How to Apply for AHI™ or CHI™: The Nuts & Bolts

Visit the link below to register:

http://www.healthcareinterpretercertification.org/community/webinar-series.html

On a personal note I recently passed this test. Although a court interpreter, medical terms surface regularly with cases in reference to workers’ compensation claims and psychological evaluations. The more words I know, the more assignments I can accept.

CCHI (Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters) is leading the national dialogue on healthcare interpreter certification. The talents and expertise of many interpreters, trainers and interpreter coordinators are critical to ensuring we get it right and we invite everyone to visit the CCHI website regularly for the latest updates.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FINANCE SOFTWARE

Tax time lies around the corner. Part of the independent contractor job includes managing invoices, taxes and budgets. Mind you this isn’t a plug for a specific software. I’m currently learning QuickBooks with the assistance of an accountant. What a joy to balance books, track invoices and generate reports and 1099 forms with a simple click.

For a review of current wealth management applications, visit :http://kclau.com/wealth-management/best-budgeting-tools-online-softwares/

YOU CAN TRANSITION FROM MEDICAL TO LEGAL

Oliver Renwick, an OH State Certified Court Interpreter who attended the NOTA Holiday Party, shares good news. He accepted a position as Court Interpreter with the Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix, Arizona. While working within the state’s jurisdiction, Oliver will tend to a wide variety of cases: family, probate and criminal cases.

What excitement to move from doctor’s offices as a medical interpreter to the contentious environment of the courtroom. This is an example of broadening your spectrum and experience to further serve the LEP community, no matter where it exists. Bravo, Oliver!

TRAINING SEMINAR ON GANG RELATED ISSUES

You are cordially invited to attend “Operation Street Smart for a New A.G.E. (Adult Gang Education)” on February 18, 2012. The program covers a broad spectrum of gang-related issues in our communities with instructors Cpl. Charley Brown and Deputy Shawn Boyd, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

The training is located at 373 S. High Street, Columbus OH 43215, Auditorium (Meeting Room A), 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

This course is open to court interpreters, court personnel and language professionals. Interpreters can receive CIE (Continuing Interpreter Credits) approved by the Interpreting Services from the Supreme Court of Ohio.

There is no registration fee. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Please contact Adriana Fonseca, Lead Interpreter/Interpreting Services, Franklin County Municipal Court at fonsecaa@fcmcclerk.com or fax 614.645.8822. R.S.V.P. by February 13, 2012.

MARKET YOURSELF WITH A SURE-FIRE PLAN

I heard the following years ago at an American Translators Association conference: “If you’re not marketing, you’re dying.” That’s been my experience over the past sixteen years. Marketing can provide a continuous source of clients and income for us translators and interpreters.

Several newcomers to the field ask “how can I find work?”. The following article might provide guidance.

1/3/10/30/90

By

John P. Shaklee

The most frequently asked questions of mentors in the American Translators Association mentoring program have to do with marketing: How can I market my services? Where do I begin? What works? This article will describe a marketing tip shared with me by one of my mentors. It sounds simple: contact one hundred potential clients, and follow up three, ten, thirty and ninety days later. The prediction is that ten of those contacts will become clients.

Sound hokey? Maybe. But, it worked for me. I left a full-time interpreting job last year to become a freelancer last year and profited from the 1/3/10/30/90 marketing tool.
Here’s a breakdown of what I did:

Day 1: I sent out a cover letter, resumé and notification of my court certification status by snail mail. The letter included my availability, experience and recent assignments. At the end I wrote “as part of my ongoing training … “(fill in the blank). This notifies the client that I’m not stagnating and that I am willing to continue to learn. I asked another of my mentors, who happens to be an agency owner, to review my resumé for content and mechanical errors. Jill Sommer, President of the Northern Ohio Translators Association and a frequent contributor to American Translators Association conferences and publications, provided a template for the cover letter. If you would like a copy of my resumé or cover letter, please write jshaklee@att.net.

Day 3: I contacted the recipient of my mailing to see if the information arrived. Be it by snail mail, email or a phone call, this is another opportunity to make personal contact with a potential client. When a job crosses someone’s desk, I want “John Shaklee, Interpreter” to be the first name to come to mind. If the recipient says that the information didn’t arrive, politely offer to submit it once again and hang up quickly. On day ten contact the recipient again to see if the information arrived yet. Find out who actually decides which interpreters to call so that your information gets to the right person. Be pleasant and polite no matter who answers. Remember, they are doing you a favor: “May I speak to the person in charge of XXX? I appreciate your time today.” A frazzled secretary will remember you if you are warm and nice instead of huffy and is more likely to see that your information is passed on.

Day 10: Send a brief letter to explain what has happened since your last contact. For example, “I recently translated XXX” or “I attended a workshop on interpreter ethics through the Community and Court Interpreters of the Ohio Valley.” Mention job-related activities since the last call and that you look forward to your first assignment with them. Have you written an article for publication? As a court interpreter I mention which new court I’ve worked in lately. The network grows with each effort you make.

Day 30: If you haven’t been called by this time, not to fret. Here is a sample of a day 30 letter: “Dear Mr. Smith … I appreciate the email from your secretary who mentioned my information is already on file. Most recently I interpreted for a lengthy pre-sentence report in Columbiana County. Also, I’ve been assigned to team interpret for a trial in Judge Lucci’s court in Painesville. Should you have the need for a state certified court interpreter, please call me at XXX.XXX.XXX.” I’m willing to travel and my rates are competitive.” Short, simple, to the point. Once again, the potential client hears my name. Tailor the letter to reflect your experience.

Day 90: You can review assignments, workshops, recent credentials or anything that you have done in the past time period related to why they ought to hire you. Did you build a website? Blog? Present at a conference? Attend a workshop? Again, make the letter brief.

Do I enjoy this disciplined exercise? No. Frankly I don’t like this any more than balancing the checkbook. Yet, since I started to work freelance, my work load has increased. I am working harder for shorter periods of time and earning more.

The 1/3/10/30/90 tool has put my name in the hands of judges and court administrators throughout northeast Ohio. When a case comes up, they know to contact “that guy from North Canton who keeps contacting us and is certified.” Have your rates and availability at hand as the client will call. Join me in the abundance.

NOTE: Another form of marketing is to send handwritten cards, be they for Christmas or a simple thank-you. Thanks to my colleague Jill Sommer for that hint.

TRANSLATOR’S TOOL BOX NEWSLETTER

In order to become aware of technological advances and appreciate technology among your cohorts, check out a free technical newsletter for translators at http://www.internationalwriters.com/toolkit.

Jost Zetzsche provides up-to-date information on how to utilize technology and assuage the fears of technophobes. Here’s a chance to increase your abilities and web presence. Also check out Jost’s “GeekSpeak” in the ATA Chronicle. Luddites beware!

INTRODUCTION TO COURT INTERPRETING IN COLUMBUS

On March 16, 2012, the Interpreter Services Program is sponsoring, ‘Introduction to Court Interpreting’. Review the brochure next to the date of the session and click on ‘Register Now’ to submit your registration form.  

 http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/JCS/interpreterSvcs/calendar/default.asp

Contact Quincella Maeder if you have questions.

Quincella Maeder

Supreme Court of Ohio

Interpreter Services Program

65 S. Front Street, 6th Floor

Columbus, OH 43215-3431

614.387.9404

614.387.9409 (fax)

CHAT AND FINE CUISINE DOMINATE NOTA’S HOLIDAY PARTY

Your fellow NOTA members spent the first half hour chatting away, totally oblivious to the table awaiting them. NOTA’s Holiday Party at the Brio Tuscan Grille in Legacy Village boasted over seventeen members. Where else could you learn the best location for authentic Italian goods (Galucci’s Italian Food Market in Cleveland’s Midtown Corridor)? Thank you, Helene and Phil. Elizabeth Cusma and Oliver Renfrew regaled listeners with stories from a six-month sojourn in Morocco. Svetlana Ball wins the prize for traveling the greatest distance from Columbus.

Kent grad students Rebecca Solana and Brian Wiegand learned how to network and market by rubbing shoulders with Claudia Mendizabal and others. Not to mention the fine table laden with luscious food from the kitchen and gift bags prepared by Vitaliy Plinto. No one walked away empty-handed.

These are reasons to support and attend the next NOTA event. Jill Sommer will present on blogs in Columbus on March 10, 2012 along with a luncheon and tentative museum visit. Keep your eyes on this blog for more information. See you then.

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