Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Interpreter/Translator

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.


Job Description: Interpreters interpret the spoke word for a non-native speaker while translators translate documents into another language for companies, governments and organizations.

Education: A bachelor’s degree usually required; post-graduate work relating to the language a plus.

Skills: Spoken and written fluency in a specific language.

Job outlook: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “employment of interpreters and translators is projected to increase 22 percent over the 2008–18 decade, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Higher demand for interpreters and translators results directly from the broadening of international ties and the large increases in the number of non-English speaking people in the United States. Both of these trends are expected to continue throughout the projections period, contributing to relatively rapid growth in the number of jobs for interpreters and translators across all industries in the economy.” Languages in demand include Portuguese, French, Italian, German, and Spanish, while demand is growing for Arabic and other Middle Eastern languages, and for Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. American Sign Language is also expected to grow. Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.

Possible employers: The BLS says that “urban areas, especially Washington, D.C., New York, and cities in California, provide the largest numbers of employment possibilities.” Governments, companies, organizations, public and private schools (preschool, elementary, secondary and university levels), and associations all need translators and interpreters.

Preparation: Make sure your interpretation and translating skills are up-to-date. Take a refresher course or receive certification in your preferred language.

Get your foot in the door: Offer to translate a short document for free or at a greatly reduced rate, or do a free consultation in interpreting.

Now available on Kindle and Smashwords: HomeWork, which gives details on 50 at-home jobs or businesses.

Until next time,

Sarah