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Want a stronger resume? Use our extensive library of professional resume examples as practical starting guides. You’ll also find ready-made content with our helpful Resume Builder – simple click, customize, and download.

Looking for cover letter ideas? See our sample Freelance Translator Cover Letter.

Find out what is the best resume for you in our Ultimate Resume Format Guide.

How to Format a Freelance Translator Resume

Usually, we advise our readers to use a hybrid or chronological format when writing their resumes. These formats specify dates and lay out previous employment outlines, making it easier for potential hiring managers to visualize your previous experience.

However, as a freelancer, you could format your translator resume with a functional layout. The functional resume, or skills-based resume, forgoes the usual work history section to create multiple detailed skill summaries and skills lists to highlight your technical abilities. You can use this format to demonstrate your polylingual written, spoken and comprehensive translation skills.

We created a sample jobseeker to demonstrate how you can use the different resume formats to summarize your experience. We structured a functional entry and typical chronological resume as your sample guides.

Chronological Resume

Candidate A

  • 7 years in workforce
  • 1 years at this job
  • AA Mandarin

Work Experience

Freelance Mandarin Translator, JP Morgan Asset Management
February 2021 – March 2022, New York, NY

  • Written and orally fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese
  • Partnered with JP Morgan’s international asset management teams to translate and summarize international business and trade agreements
  • Occasionally provided real-time interpretation and translation of oral conversations between international banking partners.

Functional Resume

Candidate B

  • 7 years in workforce
  • 1 year at this job
  • AA Mandarin

Professional Skills

Spoken Languages

  • Conversationally and technically fluent in French, German and Mandarin
  • Conversationally fluent in Tagalog, Spanish and Cantonese.
  • Comfortable interpreting and translating oral conversations verbatim and simultaneously to reduce wait times

Written Languages

  • Proficient written skills in Spanish and Cantonese
  • Adept technical written skills in French and Mandarin
  • Advanced German writing skills

Freelance Translator Resume FAQ.

How do I write a freelance translator resume?

How you write your freelance translation resume will vary depending on your training, fluency and professional experience. Although your resume format may vary, your document will always include the following information:

Relevant education: Include academic courses, certifications and accommodations for your verbal and written fluency skills and language comprehension.

Demonstrate freelance translation skills: This section builds on your education and includes the technical application of your fluency, such as translating documents, interpreting conversations, and adapting to formal and informal dialogue.

Add practical experience: Use quantifiable metrics such as the number of translated words per hour or the financial value of a translated contract to boost your work history section.

Add contact information: Place your name and contact info at the top of your freelance translator resume. Your impressive translation skills and experience can’t help you if hiring managers have to dig for your phone number.

What skills do you need to be a translator?

Depending on the job and business, hiring managers will look for unique skills. However, it’s safe to feature the following desirable skills on your translator resume:

  • Advanced language knowledge in two or more languages
  • Excellent comprehension skills
  • Strong writing skills
  • Research knowledge
  • Cross-cultural knowledge
  • Interpretive skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Verbal communication skills

You can also boost your resume and technical translation skills with these frequently requested resume skills. These soft skills can help showcase your collaborative and interpersonal skills, making you an appealing candidate for large, interactive teams.

How do I write a cover letter for a freelance translator?

Your resume summarizes your technical knowledge — your freelance translator cover letter quantifies it using one or two highly detailed examples of your experience. Our detailed cover letter writing guide can help you write a personable and professional message. Our builder can help you quickly prepare your resume and letter drafts with a subscription.