Interpreter Resume Example
Starting a career as an interpreter gives you the chance to gain experience in translating spoken language and ensuring message accuracy. If you want to stand out with your interpreter applications, you'll need to create a professional resume that makes a strong impression on employers. In this article, we'll outline how to write a winning resume to boost your chances of success in your interpreter applications.
This comprehensive guide will give you all the tools you need to craft an interpreter resume that positions you strongly against other candidates. The article will take you through the key steps of creating a resume that presents your key skills, qualities and career achievements in a format that employers favor. It will also help you tailor your resume according to your unique skills and experience level. Continue reading to discover how to showcase your creative skills in your resume, with tips from careers experts from Jobseeker.
Main elements of an interpreter resume
Most resumes contain similar key sections, with an interpreter resume being no different.
If you're applying for an entry-level interpreter role and have limited relevant experience, consider using a skills-based, or functional resume format. The layout emphasizes your skills and education above your work experience. Soft and transferable skills are often more highly valued by employers for junior roles, so highlight these. Also add any internships, volunteer work or training courses you've undertaken.
Work experience is typically the most important resume section for interpreter applicants with some prior experience. As such, it's best to use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format. Rather than simply listing your responsibilities in each role, show the impact you made and offer evidence that demonstrates the skills and experience listed in the job description.
Senior job applications require a slightly different approach to mid-level or junior interpreter roles. Use a reverse-chronological format focusing on your work experience, with a particular emphasis on the impact you've made. It's likely that your senior resume will be longer than a standard resume of one-to-two pages. This is because you'll be listing additional achievements beyond your work experience, such as awards, publications and professional memberships.
The order you present these sections can vary according to your career stage, but it's still essential to include each of the following:
Resume Header
In your interpreter resume header, list your name, email address, phone number and address or location. You can also add your LinkedIn, if you have one, to help employers better understand your work history and skills. While in some countries, you might include additional personal information or a photo, these aren't necessary. Make sure your resume header is as brief as possible and doesn't take up too much valuable space. Choose a clear, professional design that sets the tone for your application.
Opt for a professional-looking email address based on your name. If your email address could be construed as unprofessional or inappropriate because it contains nicknames or unsuitable language, create a new, more professional email address for your job applications. Always check your contact details to make sure they're up-to-date before you send your resume.
Lydia Richardson
lydia.richardson@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
124 Conch Street, Bikini Bottom, CA
linkedin․com/in/lydia–richardson123
Resume Summary
In your resume summary, write a short paragraph that highlights two or three of your key achievements and skills for interpreter roles. You could also call this section 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. A resume summary covers your career experience to date, while a resume objective focuses more on your ambitions for the future. However, make sure you keep your resume summary short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description.
Alternatively, use this summary to introduce your personal career ambitions and explain why interpreter roles are a good fit for you at this stage of your career.
A great resume summary should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for interpreter roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description and provide evidence to support them. It should also introduce your personality and unique qualities to the reader, to help them start to form an opinion about you as a candidate. See below for some great examples of what to include in your interpreter resume summary.
Good example:
Experienced interpreter with a Bachelor of Arts in Translation and Interpretation. Formerly served as a Language Specialist, demonstrating expertise in multilingual communication, cultural mediation, and precise language translation. Adept at facilitating clear and effective communication in various settings and committed to delivering high-quality language services
Bad example:
Interpreter with some background in translation and language work. Previously worked in roles involving language tasks, focusing on communication and cultural aspects. Experienced in helping people understand each other in different situations and committed to providing language help
On the other hand, an unsuccessful resume summary is one that mentions irrelevant skills, qualities and achievements and fails to differentiate you from other candidates. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your interpreter resume summary.
Work Experience
Your resume work experience section is the chance to show your relevant previous jobs and career achievements as an interpreter. Mention only the most appropriate and relevant jobs you've had in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent and working backwards. Add your job title, the name of the employer, the location of the role and your dates of employment.
In addition, include a few bullet points under each job, highlighting your key achievements so the hiring manager can see how they led to successful outcomes. Back up each point with evidence to show how you meet the job description.
An effective resume work experience section is one that constantly echoes the skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you used your skills to positive effect in each job. Each bullet point should be carefully crafted to showcase a particular skill or achievement relevant to interpreter jobs, with evidence to show the value you added. See the examples below for some ideas of what a great resume work experience looks like.
Good example:
Language Specialist, January 2022 - Present
LinguaBridge Solutions, Chandler
- Successfully translated and localized over 500,000 words for global marketing campaigns, ensuring cultural relevance and accuracy
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive language training program for a team of 50+ employees, improving communication efficiency
- Spearheaded a multilingual content strategy that increased international user engagement by 30% within six months
Bad example:
Language Specialist, January 2022 - Present
LinguaBridge Solutions, Chandler
- Assisted in various translation projects to support company goals and objectives
- Contributed to team efforts in enhancing communication
- Played a key role in improving user engagement strategies
Above, you can see a weaker example of a resume work experience section to best avoid. Less effective resume work experience sections might take a more vague, descriptive approach to previous jobs. They focus on responsibilities and everyday duties rather than referencing career achievements and the value you've added for previous employers.
Personal Portfolio or Work Samples
It's a great idea to show examples of your work, including any successful projects or campaigns you've worked on. This might include a portfolio, a website or other work samples you can share to show your interpreter skills.
Online portfolios tend to be most relevant for creative roles, but you could provide details of any previous successful projects or work published online. Add a link to your portfolio or include separate links to your previous projects in this section. Conversely, those working in non-creative sectors may still have examples of their work published online. If you do, add links to this section to boost your chances of success.
Education and Qualifications
In your education section, include details of your most relevant interpreter qualifications and educational achievements.
Opportunities as an interpreter and similar roles in the sector usually require a specialist degree. If you have a Bachelor of Arts in Translation and Interpretation degree, be sure to mention this in your resume. You might also want to list any qualifications that highlight your specialized terminology knowledge or foreign language proficiency.
Include any qualifications relevant to the role. For each, add the name and level of the award, the institution name, its location and your dates of study. You can also add some bullet points outlining any high grades, awards you won or specialist subjects you studied. Adding this information will show the employer your dedication to learning and your areas of specialist knowledge.
Additionally, mentioning any leadership roles or any societies and clubs you participated in while studying shows proactivity and initiative.
Bachelor of Arts in Translation and Interpretation, 2017 - 2020
University of San Diego, San Diego, California
Skills
Adding a list of your key skills provides a quick reference for the reader of what you can bring to an interpreter role. Skills such as foreign language proficiency or active listening skills are particularly useful for interpreter jobs. Once more, review the job description and pick out any key interpreter skills listed that match yours. Focus on these skills and any other key transferable skills that make you a strong candidate for the job.
How to include hard skills on your interpreter resume
In your hard skills list, include any specific abilities related to the role you're applying for. These could be technical skills or industry knowledge that showcases your expertise in your chosen profession. Furthermore, it's important to show these skills in an interpreter resume as they provide a strong indication of your experience in the sector. Include around four or five key hard skills that are listed in the job description. These skills will help to convince the hiring manager that you're a good fit for the position.
For an effective resume hard skills section, focus on the technical skills that are most essential in the job description, and that match your specific expertise. Some examples of the best hard skills for an interpreter resume are listed below.
- Foreign language proficiency
- Simultaneous interpretation
- Consecutive interpretation
Adding soft skills to your interpreter resume
Soft skills are your transferable skills and personal qualities that make you a good match for an interpreter position and the organization. Soft skills tend to be more universal than hard skills, and can often apply to multiple jobs and industries. Indeed, transferable skills are growing in importance in the modern world of work, so make sure you include several of these in your resume. Think of your best soft skills and add up to five that match the requirements of the job description.
A strong soft skills section should play to your strengths, listing skills that reflect your personal qualities while also reflecting the skills listed in the job description. For some examples of good soft skills for an interpreter resume, see below.
- Active listening skills
- Cultural awareness sensitivity
- Problem-solving proficiency
Expert Tip:
Make your creative resume stand out by highlighting niche achievements, like creating bespoke art for high-profile clients or leading experimental design workshops. (1) Pair this with a portfolio link that visually showcases these unique projects to impress potential employers. (2)
Certifications and Training
Under certifications and licenses, add any further qualifications that show you're a good fit for the job. These could be official licenses required for the job or certifications that improve your employability. Therefore, add any professional licenses or certifications, along with valid dates that show they're still valid.
Take a look at some example certifications for an interpreter resume below:
- CIOL DipTrans, 2022
- ATA Certification, 2022
- NAATI Certification, 2022
Optional Information
As well as the main sections of an interpreter resume, optional sections can help you prove your credentials to employers. Choose optional sections from the list below, if they help to showcase your relevant skills and experience.
Hobbies
Hobbies and interests can be a useful way of showing your skills and experience beyond your work and education. These are particularly useful for your resume if you're short of work experience and need to showcase a particular skill or experience. Don't include hobbies and interests in your resume unless they showcase a specific interest or aspect of your personality. You'll want them to add something to your application that you can't add elsewhere.
Volunteer Experience
If you're lacking relevant interpreter work experience, volunteer work can help to show you still have the relevant skills. Write your volunteer section in a similar format to your work experience, including your role, the organization name, relevant dates and the details of your contribution.
References
It's not typical to include references in an interpreter resume, but some employers might ask for them. Don't add references unless requested by the employer. Before adding any referees to your resume, ask them for their assistance and prepare them for contact by the employer.
References will be available upon request.
Best action words for your interpreter resume
Using strong action verbs in your work experience bullet points can make a stronger impression on employers and show the value you added to your previous roles. The suggested action verbs below will help the reader to understand your key qualities and the impact you made on the organization.
- Translate
- Interpret
- Facilitate
- Mediate
- Articulate
- Convey
- Transcribe
- Analyze
- Collaborate
- Consult
If you want to create a resume that stands out from the crowd, use Jobseeker's expert-designed resume templates. You can also find cover letter templates that work to get you noticed by employers.
Sample interpreter resume
The interpreter resume example below incorporates all the information from above into a full-designed resume template, so you can see how a final resume will look:
124 Conch Street, Bikini Bottom, CA
•
lydia.richardson@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/lydia–richardson123
Experienced interpreter with a Bachelor of Arts in Translation and Interpretation, previously served as a Language Specialist. Skilled in delivering precise and culturally nuanced language services, with a strong background in facilitating effective communication across diverse linguistic contexts. Proficient in both written and oral translation, adept at managing complex linguistic projects, and committed to excellence in language accuracy and client satisfaction.
Language Specialist
2020
-2022
LinguoDynamics Solutions (Irving)
- Successfully translated 500+ technical documents, improving cross-departmental communication and reducing project turnaround time by 30%
- Led language training workshops for 200+ employees, enhancing multilingual proficiency and increasing overall staff productivity
- Implemented a new translation software, increasing translation accuracy by 25% and reducing costs by 15%
Foreign language proficiency
Simultaneous interpretation
Consecutive interpretation
Active listening skills
Cultural awareness sensitivity
Problem-solving proficiency
CIOL DipTrans
ATA Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Quick tips for an interpreter resume
Tips to write the best resume
- Make your interpreter resume short and to-the-point. A length of one page is ideal for junior roles, while two is acceptable for senior applications.
- Review your resume thoroughly and correct any errors before sending it, to avoid unnecessary harm to your chances.
- Add your relevant education details, including any high grades such as your GPA or degree result.
- Quantify your successes by providing figures and other evidence that shows how your skills have made a difference to your employer.
- Adapt your resume depending on the job you're applying for. Take a look at the job description and make sure you reference all the required key skills and experience.
Steer clear of these common resume writing errors
- Don't add work experience that's unrelated to the role you're applying for, as it isn't likely to help your chances of success.
- Don't use an email address that creates an unprofessional impression. Instead, create an email address for job applications based on your name.
- Don't forget to keep your header up-to-date with every application, to make sure you don't include old contact information.
- Don't add any hobbies or interests unless they directly showcase a skill or experience that's relevant to the job.
- Don't use complex and elaborate formatting that can make your interpreter resume less readable and more difficult for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan.
How to make an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to streamline their hiring process. They can store and process data, including applications and applicant data, quickly and efficiently. One of the jobs ATS applications are increasingly responsible for is initial candidate screening. The systems can quickly scan and rank resumes based on how closely they match the job description. When you're writing your interpreter resume, there are several things you can do to make sure your resume stands the best chance of passing the ATS stage.
Create an ATS-optimized resume by following these quick tips:
- Use a traditional resume format, such as reverse-chronological or functional. These will give your resume a structure that's easier for ATS systems to scan.
- Use of job description keywords throughout your resume will help it rank higher in the ATS scanning stage, as it will more closely match the requirements laid out in the job description.
- Use clear headings that break your resume up into readable, scannable sections that match the standard content employers expect from a resume.
- Use a resume design that includes clean, professional design elements to give your content space to breathe. This might include clear, readable fonts, subtle color accents and simple design elements.
- Keep your resume as concise as possible, to make it easier to read, and for ATS software to scan.
If you need help creating a professional resume, take a look at our expert career articles and variety of resume examples created by careers experts.
Frequently Asked Questions for an interpreter resume
It's generally not advisable to add a personal photo to your resume. While a photo can add to the visual appeal and design of the document, it can also risk introducing bias into the selection process.
If you're applying for a creative role that requires you to make public appearances or be captured on camera, these are situations where a personal photo can benefit your resume. Roles that include acting, modelling, presenting, meeting clients or public speaking may all require a personal photo.
After writing your interpreter resume, you'll want to write an accompanying cover letter that helps your application stand out.
Check the job description to see whether a full, formal cover letter is necessary. In some situations, it might be more suitable to simply send a brief email to introduce yourself and accompany your resume.
If you decide you want to write a traditional cover letter, follow the standard letter-writing conventions around layout and structure. In the main body of the letter, write an opening paragraph to introduce yourself and explain why you're applying for the interpreter role. Your second paragraph is typically where you highlight your key relevant skills and achievements. Finally, close by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and leave a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to make contact with you.
You can create a professional cover letter in just a few simple, easy-to-follow steps using Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates.
Writing an interpreter resume with no experience needn't be a daunting task. There are still plenty of ways to impress hiring managers with your resume. Use a functional resume format instead of the standard reverse-chronological structure. This emphasizes your skills and education over your work experience. Optional sections at the end of your resume can play a stronger role if you're lacking relevant work experience. Use certifications and training, hobbies and interests, volunteer roles and internships to show you've got the necessary skills for the job.
Choosing a suitable typeface for your resume is a key decision, as it will help to set the tone for your resume. Pick a font from a serif or sans serif font family that has a clear, readable form and makes your document look as professional as possible. Set the font size between 10 and 12 to maximize readability. For jobs in the creative sector, sans serif fonts can often be more suitable as they evoke a contemporary, dynamic style. As such, it's worth considering a sans serif font for your interpreter resume.
The best resume format for you depends on two things. Firstly, it depends on your experience level. Secondly, it depends on the type and level of position you're applying for. If you're applying for a junior position or changing careers, you might want to consider a functional resume. This highlights your skills and education over your work experience. On the other hand, if you're experienced in your industry or applying for senior positions, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format is usually best. This places most emphasis on your work experience.
Key points for your interpreter resume
The key to a strong resume is to showcase your relevant skills and achievements through your work experience and other activities. Choose a resume structure that makes the most of your relevant experience, whether through work or other activities, and be sure to tailor your resume to match the job description.
Use Jobseeker's resume templates, other tools and resources to create an application that impresses employers. Sign up today to access a wealth of valuable resume and cover letter resources. Jobseeker's expert-designed cover letter generator can help your applications make a strong first impression on hiring managers. Find detailed cover letter examples to complement your resume and get your application noticed.
Sources:
(1) Careers for creative people, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/creative-careers.htm
(2) Occupational Outlook Handbook, Craft and Fine Arts, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/craft-and-fine-artists.htm
