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CV Template · Translator

Translator CV template.

A strong Translator CV needs to prove more than fluency; it should show the languages, domains, tools, and quality processes you use to deliver accurate work. Employers and agencies want to see clear language pairs, specialist subject matter, turnaround experience, and evidence that your translations are ready for publication or client use.

Writing a strong Translator CV

Hiring managers reviewing a Translator CV look first for your working language pairs, direction of translation, and level of proficiency, then for proof that you can handle real-world assignments in specific fields such as legal, medical, technical, financial, literary, or marketing translation. Include CAT tools like SDL Trados Studio, memoQ, Wordfast, Phrase, or Smartcat, plus terminology management, QA checks, and localization workflows. Certifications such as ATA, CIOL, ITI membership, NAATI, or court interpreter credentials can strengthen your profile. Your CV should also reference deliverables such as translated contracts, IFUs, subtitles, website localization, transcreation briefs, or certified translations.

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Three things that matter most

  • List your language pairs with direction, such as French to English or English to Japanese, and separate native-level languages from professional working proficiency.
  • Show your specialist domains with examples of document types, such as patents, clinical trial protocols, financial statements, immigration documents, software strings, or e-commerce product pages.
  • Name the CAT tools, terminology databases, QA tools, and file formats you use, especially if you work with XLIFF, TMX, InDesign files, subtitling formats, or localization platforms.

Skills hiring managers look for

SDL Trados Studio memoQ Terminology management Legal translation Medical translation Website localization Translation memory maintenance ATA certification

Frequently asked

How do I write a Translator CV with no agency experience?

Build the CV around your language pairs, relevant qualifications, and any supervised or freelance translation projects you have completed. Include university translation assignments, volunteer work for NGOs, subtitle projects, or sample translations if they match the sectors you want to enter. If possible, link to a small portfolio showing source text, target text, and a short note on terminology or style decisions.

Should a Translator CV include rates or word counts?

For most permanent roles, leave rates out and focus on subject expertise, tools, and turnaround capacity. For freelance or agency applications, it can help to mention typical daily output, such as words translated or reviewed per day, especially for technical, legal, or localization work. Put pricing in a separate proposal unless the agency specifically requests it in the CV.

Which certifications matter most on a Translator CV?

The most useful certification depends on your market and specialization. ATA certification is well recognised in the United States, CIOL and ITI credentials are valued in the UK, NAATI is important in Australia, and sworn or court translator credentials matter for legal and immigration work. List the credential, language pair, issuing body, and date earned or renewed.

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