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Interpreter And Translator skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Experts
Laura Polhemus Ph.D.,
Katty Kauffman
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical interpreter and translator skills. We ranked the top skills for interpreter and translators based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.6% of interpreter and translator resumes contained transcription as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an interpreter and translator needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 interpreter and translator skills for your resume and career

1. Transcription

Here's how interpreter and translators use transcription:
  • Utilized automated transcription tools and databases for rapid analysis and dissemination of actionable intelligence in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
  • Performed and supervised identification, acquisition, recording, transcription, and translating of assigned signals.

2. English Language

Here's how interpreter and translators use english language:
  • Read foreign language communications and perform immediate written/verbal translations as well as written/verbal summaries into English language.
  • Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into Arabic or English languages, orally or transcribed.

3. Security Clearance

Here's how interpreter and translators use security clearance:
  • Granted security clearance after a rigorous background check in order to work with confidential medical and legal governmental documents.
  • Position required use of military and law enforcement terminology, as well as Homeland Security clearance.

4. Law Enforcement

Law enforcement is the task of certain members of the community who work together to uphold the law by identifying, preventing, rehabilitating, or prosecuting others who break society's laws and norms. The phrase refers to the police, the judiciary, and the correctional system.

Here's how interpreter and translators use law enforcement:
  • Displayed linguistic skills to support law enforcement and intelligence analysis efforts for the Drug Enforcement Administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
  • Evaluated and monitored linguists in support of intelligence collection, analysis and reporting, consensual and non-consensual law enforcement wiretap operations.

5. Target Language

The target language is the language in which a text, document, or speech is translated into the final language. It is a foreign language that a non-native speaker intends to study or learn, as well as the individual elements of the language they want to learn. The target language is the opposite of the source text, which is the initial text to be translated.

Here's how interpreter and translators use target language:
  • Repeat the original message accurately and completely in target language without adding, omitting or changing key information or intended meaning.
  • Provide limited translation services, effectively writing in English and target language to effectively render discharge information using EPIC.

6. Vice Versa

A vice versa is a Latin expression that means - the other way round. That is, what we just said also applies in reverse (opposite) order.

Here's how interpreter and translators use vice versa:
  • Translate or interpret both from English and Japanese into Mongolian and vice versa2.
  • Performed simultaneous interpretation of international conferences from Slovak to English, and vice versa.

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7. Language

Here's how interpreter and translators use language:
  • Provide advance level information to investigative personnel regarding assigned language to include history and culture of assigned language (Spanish).
  • Provided a translation service primarily for thesis and abstracts and informal interviews/meetings in English/Portuguese language on as and when required basis.

8. Source Language

Source Language refers to the language that is then translated. The source language is then translated into the target language, or receptor language. For many translators, the source language is the translator's second-best language, while the target language is native to the translator.

Here's how interpreter and translators use source language:
  • Translated oral and written conversations from the source language to English using correct grammar and punctuation.
  • Proofread and helped compile laser-alignment and burner surveys in source language (English).

9. DOD

Definition of Done (DoD) is a set of deliverables that are needed to devise software. These deliverables are valuable to the system and can be exemplified by writing code, coding comments, unit testing, integration testing, design documents, release notes, and so on.

Here's how interpreter and translators use dod:
  • Supervised six DoD civilians conducting classified transcriptions of over 1400 signals intelligence intercepts daily.
  • Supported intelligence gathering operations for DoD and DoS.

10. Translation Services

Translation Services turn spoken words or texts into another dialect. During the interpretation cycle, somebody with expertise in two dialects takes the words and context and places it into another dialect for others to understand.

Here's how interpreter and translators use translation services:
  • Provided technical interpretation/translation services domestically and at manufacturing facility abroad.
  • Provided Spanish interpretation and translation services to families of special needs children and professionals involved, in a medical educational environment.

11. Farsi

Farsi, or the Persian language, is a modern Iranian language written in Arabic and spoken mainly in Persian Gulf and Iran.

Here's how interpreter and translators use farsi:
  • Developed materials as well as teaching Farsi to military personnel.
  • Prepared incoming students by teaching introductory course in Persian Farsi.

12. Verbal Communication

Here's how interpreter and translators use verbal communication:
  • Transcribed verbal communications, executed document exploitation, studied foreign language documents for key information and translated foreign language documents competently.
  • Interpret and translate written and spoken communications; transcribe and analyze verbal communications reporting results to management and command personnel.

13. Military Operations

A military operation refers to the coordinated military actions of a government, or a non-state actor, in response to an emerging situation. These measures are devised as a military plan to best resolve the situation in the favor of the state or actor. Corresponding and reflecting similar framework for operations any organized components within the armed forces which prepare, prevent, or fight the war are also called military operations.

Here's how interpreter and translators use military operations:
  • Provided linguistic support for military operations and interpreted during interviews, meetings, interrogations, conferences, liaison and rapport building.
  • Assisted US Military operations ensuring that the military operates within legal and framework which apply to military regulations.

14. Transcribing

Transcribing is the primary skill of a transcriptionist. It is the process of translating audio or visual materials into written forms, ensuring accuracy in every word. In some projects, a transcriptionist may also write down and describe gestures.

Here's how interpreter and translators use transcribing:
  • Provided support by translating and transcribing reports and operations from Spanish to English for Homeland Security Investigations.
  • Required extreme attention to detail in transcribing transmissions; relating background information.

15. Urdu

Here's how interpreter and translators use urdu:
  • Listened carefully to conversations and provided verbatim interpretation in Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.
  • Provided key translations in Urdu language, and became the Area Specialist for linguistic, cultural and regional matters.
top-skills

What skills help Interpreter And Translators find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What Interpreter And Translator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Laura Polhemus Ph.D.

Advanced Assistant Professor, Bethel University

We are continuing to see more and more virtual interpreting. Knowing how to use technology, how to set up a background and lighting for optimal viewing, and having strategies for making interpreting happen smoothly on various virtual platforms is essential. The Center for Atypical Language Interpreting offers many resources that will prepare you to work with individuals from a variety of language backgrounds. There are many Deaf individuals obtaining advanced degrees and working in high level positions. Knowing how to behave with the utmost professionalism in a multitude of work settings and having strong academic language skills in both American Sign Language and English are important in working with these individuals.

What type of skills will young Interpreter And Translators need?

Katty KauffmanKatty Kauffman LinkedIn Profile

US-based Freelance Interpreter, member of AIIC, representative of the VEGA Outreach and Mentoring Network, International Association of Conference Interpreters

Interpreters need a range of skills, which fall roughly into three categories:
- Skills covered by your university program. These include technical skills in Simultaneous Interpreting, Consecutive Interpreting and Sight Translation, as well as professional ethics. Ethics are increasingly important at the moment when, because of Covid-related health restrictions, many of us are, unfortunately, having to work without a boothmate until normality returns, and still need to maintain a high level of trust with agencies and clients.
- Skills you may not have covered in school, which are vital as a freelancer. You need soft skills to help you network and engage with potential clients. Applying for pre-candidacy and subsequently joining AIIC as a full member can also raise your visibility within the industry.
An understanding of how to run your own business is also essential. Know what contract you are being offered, how to write an invoice, and which tax structure is best for you. If you are planning on working for yourself, be aware of what is happening with the PRO Act (H.R.2474) and the consequences it may have for freelance workers.
-Technical skills. On the business side, you are creating your own brand, so nowadays, you need a website and a social media presence. Understanding the workings of various RSI platforms and the equipment you need is also fundamental.

What hard/technical skills are most important for Interpreter And Translators?

Angélica Amezcua

Graduate Assistant, Arizona State University

Ph.D. in Spanish Linguistics with a focus on Spanish Heritage Language Pedagogy
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about Interpreter And Translator

List of interpreter and translator skills to add to your resume

Interpreter And Translator Skills

The most important skills for an interpreter and translator resume and required skills for an interpreter and translator to have include:

  • Transcription
  • English Language
  • Security Clearance
  • Law Enforcement
  • Target Language
  • Vice Versa
  • Language
  • Source Language
  • DOD
  • Translation Services
  • Farsi
  • Verbal Communication
  • Military Operations
  • Transcribing
  • Urdu
  • Hindi
  • Interpretation Services
  • Medical Terminology
  • Blogging
  • Language Services
  • Government Agencies
  • Thai
  • US Army
  • Consecutive Interpretation
  • PowerPoint
  • Training Materials
  • Cultural Awareness
  • LEP
  • DEA
  • Combat
  • Somali
  • Interpretation Support
  • Government Officials
  • Korean Language
  • Afghan
  • Simultaneous Interpretation
  • Creole
  • Kurdish
  • Social Services
  • Amharic
  • Similar Language
  • HUMINT
  • ANA
  • Ministry
  • Romanian
  • Croatian
  • SIGINT
  • Informed Consent
  • Language Analysis

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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