You may need a sworn German translator because you are going to Germany or because you are involved in something, such as a lawsuit against a German company. You might even be looking for a professional German translator to translate your website. Maybe you are looking for a native German translator with German document translation services to translate your CRM, your documentation or your advertising campaigns… The list is long, but you are in the right place.
Hi, I’m Paula, project manager and translator from German to English and from English to Spanish. I would be happy to assist you at comercial@tradupla.com. Or, if you prefer, you can contact Pilar, the founder, at: pilar.pla@tradupla.com or +34 677899554
If you would like any additional information, follow the index below.
According to statistics published by the INE, more and more Americans are looking for work in Germany.
There are many difficulties that exist when looking for work in Spain, especially for younger people. Therefore, moving abroad when you’re in search of job opportunities may be your only option.
In this segment we are going to tell you what documents you will need in order to find a job in Germany, Switzerland or Austria, to name a few. Moving forward you will need to have a German-English translator that specializes in certificates. If instead you decide to try your luck at finding a job in Spain, you could even become a professional German translator yourself. Here’s how.
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Work as a professional German to English translator. How easy is it to get a job in Spain?
Have you ever thought about studying German and giving it a shot at finding a job in American territory?
You’re in luck. There are currently many companies that require English to German translation services and vice versa. Learning this language is somewhat complex, but it can open doors to a really promising professional future.
You can also get a job as an official translator from German to English at a translation agency, such as Tradupla.
Whatever the case may be, the first thing you should keep in mind is the type of training that this position requires. Also, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get familiar with the opportunities a position like this has to offer.
Requirements to work as a professional German translator
Although it is common in Spain to find German to English translation services, we can also find some that go the other way… We are talking about the translation from English into German and, yes, we get further in depth from German to other languages and vice versa.
You can work as a translator from English to German, or from German to French, German to Russian, etc. The most important thing in translation is that you always translate into your mother tongue. This is the case with Catalan, Galician or Basque: you can work as a German to Catalan translator or as a German to English translator.
In any case, you must have an advanced level of German. This can be achieved by majoring in a translation and interpretation degree and can be outlined with some course.
There are currently more and more academies that teach German classes at various learning levels.
The next step, in the case of wanting to work as a sworn translator in German, is to obtain the MAEC certification. This allows us to perform official translations that are set within the European and international legal scope, including certified German translation services if that is, in fact, what tickles your fancy.
Reasons to learn German
Although it can be covered in more than one way, we want to focus on three fundamental reasons to learn German:
- The first, and the one that drives this next segment, is to work in Spain. There are many American companies with operations in Germany, or German businesses based in Spain such as Siemens, Bosch or BMW.
- To work abroad. A topic we will get more into a little later on. In addition to Germany, Austria and Switzerland also speak this language, and it is the most spoken language in Europe after Russian.
- For training. Again, whether you are looking for work in Spain or abroad, or for one’s own personal development, German contributes to knowledge.
German is not an easy language to learn, but it will give you a unique sense of satisfaction and added value.
How to get a job as a good German translator?
Although the fastest way to get a job is to work for a company or a translation agency, you can also get clients and work as a freelance German translator.
With the first option, you don’t have to worry about attracting and soliciting attention from clients. Your only concern will be translating. Working as a freelancer, you’ll first have to acquire a client base and advertise.
In both cases, you must meet a number of requirements in order to stand out as an official quality German translator.
The first thing is to know how to differentiate yourself. Having the German language is cause enough already for setting yourself apart in a company and to appeal to clients. However, you must combine English, Spanish, and if you can, become a good German-English sworn translator.
The quality of the work is also important. Look after each translation you do and ensure that the client gets the satisfaction they deserve. Only then will you get more work, and with more work comes more experience. It is the satisfied customers who will then pass on more work from other clients by good word of mouth.
Another requirement is to offer your services in other countries. Even if you are working from Spain, you can introduce yourself to a German office or another place where English is necessary. In these places they may want the opposite translation, an official German to English translator.
Finally, try to always be learning, training, and working towards your craft. Although languages do not usually change over time, it is always smart to stay familiar with the cultural, political and social changes.
German translation rates
Now we enter the most demanded issue by people who want to work as a German translator but are doubtful.
How much do we charge? What rates do we apply for each translation service?
Well, let’s break down how much the German to English translator should charge online or in person. Freelancers have their own rates that may vary. If you work for a company, they will either pay you a price per job or a monthly salary.
If you are employed, you should do some research on market price that exists for the standard German-English translator online. You can also look at what a standard sworn translator charges from German to English.
These two vary because the level of difficulty is not quite the same.
After that, if you are just starting out, lower your rates by 20% at the beginning and then raise them when you start to steadily have enough work.
For example, we have done a little research for you, and we found that, the rates for end customers in Spain are:
- A rate from 5 to 6 cents (per word) if you translate from English or French to Spanish. This is the rate of a freelancer. The rate charged by an agency ranges from 7 cents and depends on the field of expertise.
- A rate from 6 to 8 if you translate into English.
- A rate from 6 to 7 if you translate from German.
Rates imposed by an agency are slightly lower since they usually send you a lot of work.
This also means that, depending on the difficulty of the translation, it could vary to a lesser or greater amount.
What do I need to get a job in Germany, Austria or Switzerland? A sworn German translator to translate your official documents
As we’ve mentioned before, the difficulties in finding a place of employment in Spain are ever-so increasing. Many people are forced to change their place of residence, even outside country borders. One of the most sought-after destinations is Germany, the European powerhouse of the moment.
Over 300,000 Americans have found work in Germany since 2011. What’s more is there are more and more Americans living in Germany that are now advising to go on forums and Facebook pages.
Jobs in high demand by Americans in Germany
Employment opportunities in Germany are higher than in Spain. High levels are maintained in almost all sectors, especially in the economic, health, automotive and information technology industries.
Even so, we are going to leave you with a list that indicates the Infoempleo website on the most demanded positions by Americans in Germany.
- Nurses/geriatric assistants, massage therapists.
- Information Technology Specialists
- Economic experts, financial consultants
- Engineers (mechanics, automotive)
- Medical specialists
- Trade workers: electricity, mechanics, painting, welding…
Also, let’s point out the positions that are overmanned in Germany:
- Administrative assistants
- Caregivers and cleaners.
- Retail clerks
- Language and literature teachers
- Farm and garden workers
- Warehouse and transport workers
- Unskilled workers
- Social workers and Homeopaths
Documentation for working in Germany, Switzerland or Austria
A German-English legal translator has “work” to do for when people want to move to Germany, Switzerland or Austria.
In Germany, companies take into account how you present your CV and this should really be properly translated. You will also have to translate any university degrees, certifications, contracts, etc. To do this, you will have to find a sworn translator to German in Barcelona, Malaga, Madrid, Valencia …
On top of producing a CV, you’ll also have to come up with a cover letter. Surely the technical translator from German to English will have experience and can help you direct it specifically for your potential employer in the best way possible .
Also, when travelling to a German-speaking country, you will need to provide certificates and training qualifications translated from English or Spanish to German. You will need to send translated copies, never the originals.
Also, according to information found on the SEPE website, you never want to forget these when travelling for a long period of time:
- Driver’s license and others.
- Check the procedures of arrival in the country
- CV and cover letter translated into German, also recommended in English.
- Photocopy of birth certificate and family book
- Passport size photographs.
- Passport or ID.
- European Health Insurance Card..
- Sworn translation of diplomas and main certificates into German.
See you soon!
To be the best German translator you just need to find a little perseverance and pleasure in learning the language.
We hope that by sharing this guide, it will be of good use to you. Both for working in Spain as a German translator into your mother tongue, and for living abroad.
The role of a German translator is essential these days, as there are more moves being done between the two countries now more than ever.
And you, do you agree that this language is fundamental for society today?
Well, you just have to start learning it, and soon enough… You’ll learn to love it!