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Translator CV example

A translator’s CV has to answer three questions before anything else: which languages, in which direction, and in what subject.

Put the language pair in the contact lines, name the documents you translate and how many words a month, and give the tools and qualifications an agency checks. This example is a freelance legal and business translator applying for an in-house post.

Minimal design1 page
Translator CV example: fictional example, page 1. Full text is available below.
Read the example as text
Imogen Thornley
Legal Translator
Bristol · 07700 900256 · [email protected] · French and German to English

Profile

French and German to English translator with seven years’ experience, five of them freelance, specialising in legal and business documents: contracts, terms and conditions, company reports and compliance policies. Translates about 40,000 words a month for language service providers and direct clients, working to each client’s glossary and style guide. Post-edits machine translation and reviews other translators’ work. Holds the CIOL Diploma in Translation (Law). Looking for an in-house legal translator post.

Experience

Freelance Translator, French and German to English 2021–present

Translate contracts, terms and conditions, annual reports and HR policies for six language service providers and three direct clients, about 40,000 words a month.

Research legal and financial terms in each source country’s own references, and keep a glossary and translation memory for every regular client.

Post-edit machine translation for two agencies, following each agency’s quality checklist.

Review other translators’ work before delivery, with tracked changes and comments.

Deliver to the agreed deadline, with urgent jobs of up to 3,000 words turned round within 24 hours.

In-house Translator, Cabot Lingua Services, Bristol 2019–2021

Translated French and German marketing and technical documents in Trados Studio, and checked other linguists’ work in the quality team.

Education

Diploma in Translation (DipTrans), Law option, Chartered Institute of Linguists 2020

MA Translation Studies, Merit, Avonmere University 2018–2019

BA (Hons) French and German, 2:1, with a year abroad in Lyon and Leipzig, Avonmere University 2014–2018

Skills

Legal, financial and business translation

Trados Studio and memoQ: translation memories and term bases

Post-editing machine translation

Proofreading and quality review

Terminology research

Additional information

Associate member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting. Native English speaker.

Fictional example for a translator. Every person and employer in it is invented. Replace every detail with your own.

What language service providers and legal teams look for, and where this CV shows it

The job asks you toWhere this CV shows it
Reproduce text clearly, accurately and in the style intended by the authorContracts, reports and policies to each client’s glossary and style guide
Translate books, manuals and business documentsAbout 40,000 words a month of contracts, reports and HR policies
Use translation softwareTrados Studio and memoQ, with a memory and term base for each client
Research specialist legal, technical or scientific termsLegal and financial terms checked in each country’s own references
Proofread drafts done by others or by machines, as part of quality controlPost-editing for two agencies; reviewing other translators’ work

The left column follows the National Careers Service job profile for a translator.

Pay varies: the National Careers Service lists pay for a translator as variable (checked 17 October 2026).

Facts checked against National Careers Service: Translator on .

Skills to list for this job

The skills the National Careers Service lists for a translator, in CV wording. Put down only the ones you can show, each with where you used it.

  • Foreign languages
  • Strong written and spoken English
  • Thorough, with close attention to detail
  • Customer service
  • Clear written communication
  • Working independently
  • Flexible and open to change
  • Concentration
  • Competent with computers and everyday software
Choose them in the editor

From the National Careers Service profile, checked 17 October 2026.

A profile if you are starting out

This CV's profile is written for someone with experience. Here is the same job at the other level: copy it, or open it in the editor with this CV and write over it.

MA Translation Studies graduate translating French and German into English, with a three-month placement at a language service provider checking terminology and proofreading in Trados Studio. Translated volunteer projects for a refugee charity and spent a year abroad in Lyon. Looking for a junior in-house translator or project assistant role.
Use in the editor
Inside this example
  • Profile: 72 words here
  • Experience: 121 words here
  • Education: 35 words here
  • Skills: 23 words here
  • Additional information: 12 words here

How to write yours

01

Language pair and direction first

Write “French and German to English” in your contact lines and profile, because agencies search their databases by pair.

02

Name your specialisms

Legal, medical, technical or marketing: say which, and the kinds of document, so a project manager can match you to work.

03

Give your volume and tools

Words a month and the translation software you use tell an agency how much you can take on.

04

Show qualifications and membership

A DipTrans, an MA or membership of the ITI or CIOL is how a client checks your standard before a test.

Questions about a translator CV

What qualifications should a translator put on a CV?

The National Careers Service lists a degree or postgraduate qualification, such as translation studies or modern languages, or a professional body’s qualification, like the Chartered Institute of Linguists’ Certificate or Diploma in Translation. Give the qualification, who awarded it and the year.

How do I show my language pairs?

You’ll need to be fluent in at least one second language as well as English, with a good understanding of the culture of the people who use it, usually gained by living or working abroad (National Careers Service). Name each language pair and its direction, and give time abroad with its dates.

Should I list translation software on my CV?

Translators use translation software and proofread drafts done by others or by machines (National Careers Service). Name the tools you use, and say whether you post-edit machine translation.

How do I put freelance translation on my CV?

Most translators work freelance, or through translation agencies known as language service providers (National Careers Service). List freelance work as one role with its dates, the kinds of client and your volume.

Do translators need a background check?

You may have to pass enhanced background checks if your work is related to national security (National Careers Service). Mention a clearance only if you hold one and the advert asks for it.

Minimal and one page: a translator’s CV is also a writing sample, so clean English and a plain layout matter more than design. For an agency’s online form, switch to Plain.

Guides for this CV

Skills to put on your CV Education and qualifications Turning duties into results How to write a cover letter

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