| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How often does a client assign a project to you after you have completed a test?".
This poll was originally submitted by Mario Laima. View the poll results »
| | | | Martha Schwan 
Brazil
Local time: 16:13
Member
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| Tests are scam | Dec 28, 2019 |
I do not wish to do tests anymore because they always come with a supposed "test" and the reality is that the document is an actual translation.
They do not come back anymore with the results or an actual translation job.
| | | | | I don't keep track | Dec 28, 2019 |
For me it has been a rarity. Typically, I take the test, pass the test, fill in numerous forms, then never hear from the client again. Because of this, I'm now very wary of entering into any kind of initiation process with new agencies.
| | | | | I don't remember | Dec 28, 2019 |
I have taken very few tests over my 50-year career. Many of my freelance clients either knew my work from when I was a full-time translator in an international organization or came to me by word of mouth. About 10 years ago I was approached by a prospective client who offered me a short paid translation, which I realized was probably a test because it was quite difficult and included common pitfalls. They are now one of my two best customers.
[Edited at 2019-12-28 10:15 GMT]
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Kay Denney
France
Local time: 21:13
French to English
I don't keep track but the number of applications far exceeds the number of jobs gained.
However, those clients I have managed to garner this way are all wonderful clients. Even the agency that told me I probably wouldn't hear from them again in that the job they advertised for in my language pair was a one-off Because they were up-front about it, that makes it OK. And then because in fact they have had other jobs in my language pair and they have contacted me about them!
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Clients request translations, they don't "assign", and there is no reason for a test. My certification that I earned after stringent examination should be enough. For agencies, they can try the quality of my services with smaller projects first if they are not sure.
| | | | | I don’t keep track | Dec 28, 2019 |
As I’ve been translating full-time since 1985 (plus a few years part-time) I always find amusing when I’m asked for a test (free or not), though I understand that sometimes it might be useful to see how a translator treats this or that particular turn of phrase. If I’m really interested in a job I'll be happy to do a translation test, providing we have already agreed on price and payment and there is no deadline set for the test, so I can do it at my own pace. I would rather do a translati... See more As I’ve been translating full-time since 1985 (plus a few years part-time) I always find amusing when I’m asked for a test (free or not), though I understand that sometimes it might be useful to see how a translator treats this or that particular turn of phrase. If I’m really interested in a job I'll be happy to do a translation test, providing we have already agreed on price and payment and there is no deadline set for the test, so I can do it at my own pace. I would rather do a translation test than sending diplomas, references and the like and having to fill endless forms. Anyway, that’s how I got some of my best clients (direct clients and translation agencies) and some of my highest-paid assignments. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | A lot of tests (US), few rewards | Dec 28, 2019 |
I did a bunch of tests in the US this year for Eng to Fr (CA) and I rarely "pass" them, meaning that after completion I get a generic email saying they went with another candidate, or something similar.
I've been employed full time for different companies, no problems, no tests for the past 6 years.
I've always wondered why I was not picked for these other jobs. Most of which were in the US. Fake tests? Too many translators to compare my test with?
No clue.
Keep on ke... See more I did a bunch of tests in the US this year for Eng to Fr (CA) and I rarely "pass" them, meaning that after completion I get a generic email saying they went with another candidate, or something similar.
I've been employed full time for different companies, no problems, no tests for the past 6 years.
I've always wondered why I was not picked for these other jobs. Most of which were in the US. Fake tests? Too many translators to compare my test with?
No clue.
Keep on keeping on! ▲ Collapse
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| I could not put a percentage on it | Dec 28, 2019 |
I don't do a lot of tests, but I have been sent jobs after completing tests. I have actually worked for several years for the client after a test. I think this happened more often earlier in my career, i.e. something like 12-15 years ago.
I was once told that I rearranged the order of words in my translation, or did not keep to source-language syntax, so I ´failed´ the test! I have continued nevertheless to rearrange the syntax where I felt it necessary.  ... See more I don't do a lot of tests, but I have been sent jobs after completing tests. I have actually worked for several years for the client after a test. I think this happened more often earlier in my career, i.e. something like 12-15 years ago.
I was once told that I rearranged the order of words in my translation, or did not keep to source-language syntax, so I ´failed´ the test! I have continued nevertheless to rearrange the syntax where I felt it necessary. 
I have also dutifully completed tests, and then never heard from the client again. One client still sends me Christmas greetings, but never any work. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Lincoln Hui
Hong Kong
Local time: 03:13
Member
Chinese to English
+ ...
| How do you even keep track? | Dec 28, 2019 |
I don't know whether to envy or pity the people who have that sort of free time to pay attention. It's also not remotely important; if you do 20 tests in a year and only 1 becomes a true lead, but that one client ends up doing six-figures business with you, do you really care about the 19 tests that didn't amount to anything?
| | | | Ali Sharifi
United States
Local time: 15:13
English to Persian (Farsi)
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| I have never got a job through tests. | Dec 28, 2019 |
I am with Proz.com for about 7 months.
I have had three test but never heard back from the testers.Lincoln Hui wrote:
I don't know whether to envy or pity the people who have that sort of free time to pay attention. It's also not remotely important; if you do 20 tests in a year and only 1 becomes a true lead, but that one client ends up doing six-figures business with you, do you really care about the 19 tests that didn't amount to anything?
| | | | | Almost Never Do Them, And Only If They Pay For Them | Dec 28, 2019 |
Although my best and/or most loyal clients have, generally speaking, not expected me to do a "test", there have been occasions when I have done a preliminary sample, but only if the client pays for it, so they can get a feel for my style.
In the latter case, it's almost always just a formality, because their minds are just about 100% decided, when they contact me initially, that they're going to go with me, anyway.
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Dan Lucas
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:13
Member (2014)
Japanese to English
| Take a view before you do the test | Dec 28, 2019 |
I don't often do tests unless there is a concrete project waiting in the offing.
If I cannot form a firm (positive) opinion on the client requesting the test, I don't take it. It's not difficult. Signing up with clients on spec has almost never been worth it for me.
Regards,
Dan
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Lincoln Hui wrote:
do you really care about the 19 tests that didn't amount to anything?
Yeah, because I don't like people wasting my time.
| | | | DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
+ ...
| Free* Compliance & Tractability test | Dec 28, 2019 |
If an updated tailored CV, portfolio/samples, credentials, references, and a short interview is not allegedly enough to prove one's proficiency, then it's not what they are looking for, alas. Yet it's high time to ask for their credentials and solvency proofs, isn't it?
Although many middlemen say that FREE* tests are to just select "best"(?) specialists, they often do forget about the volume and purpose abuses, picking most needy PEMTs. Most such intermediaries deliberately sacrifi... See more If an updated tailored CV, portfolio/samples, credentials, references, and a short interview is not allegedly enough to prove one's proficiency, then it's not what they are looking for, alas. Yet it's high time to ask for their credentials and solvency proofs, isn't it?
Although many middlemen say that FREE* tests are to just select "best"(?) specialists, they often do forget about the volume and purpose abuses, picking most needy PEMTs. Most such intermediaries deliberately sacrifice high quality for higher volumes—especially at the expense of voiceless bottom-feeders from developing countries.
Moreover, at least in the CIS, filthy and greedy agencies--directly or via dummies--often do split real projects into "free* tests" for professional translators and then offer "free* tests" for professional editors/proofreaders as well. Profit!
No, I have neither worked with/for agencies, nor I would ever consider such a subcontract self-limitation. ▲ Collapse
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