1 - My network

1.1 - What is My Network?

The "My Network" feature allows you to maintain lists of your trusted friends and colleagues at ProZ.com, for use with various collaboration features around the site. Click here to manage your network.

1.2 - What can I do with it?

Once you have added colleagues to your network, you can easily get in touch with them via your network list. You can also track their site activity (forum, KudoZ, articles) via the "My network" link under the "My ProZ.com" tab. More collaboration features are planned in the near future.

2 - My lists

2.1 - What are "My Lists" of members, and what can I do with them?

As you search and browse through the freelancer directory, you can select members from the directory and add them to "lists". Every member has at least two lists by default: an "IN" list (intended for favorite members) and an "OUT" list (a list of members to avoid). Additional lists can also be created, such as "Good ESL-ENG interpreters in Argentina".

Lists can show availability and your comments about each member. ProZ.com members can send group messages to entire lists or to selected members of a list, via email or ProZ.com messaging.

Manage your lists by selecting My ProZ.com -> My Lists from the main menu.

2.2 - How can I send email or a ProZ.com message to members of my lists?

ProZ.com members can send a group message to lists of up to 100 members. Tick the checkboxes next to the list members you want to contact, and then click the "mail selected" button. To toggle all checkboxes for a list, click the checkbox at the top of the column.

On the subsequent page, enter your message, and choose whether you want your message sent by email or via ProZ.com messaging.

2.3 - Are there any restrictions on the content of list messages?

List messages may not contain advertising of any product or service (including your own services) or offensive or personal remarks. ProZ.com messaging and profile mailing features are provided to allow members to receive messages without disclosing their email address, for outsourcers to contact translators, and other types of communication, but NOT FOR ADVERTISING. Writing to offer your services, sending CVs or generally looking for translation work is NOT ALLOWED.

3 - Translation teams

3.1 - What is a ProZ.com translation team?

ProZ.com translation teams allow a group of translators to act as a single entity, taking job quotes, setting rates, collaborating on projects, and more. Teams also get a short URL in the form of http://www.proz.com/team/.

3.2 - Who can be a part of a ProZ.com translation team?

Any ProZ.com user can be part of a team. However, only ProZ.com members can create a new team, invite other translators, and have control over the team's settings.

3.3 - What collaboration tools are available to team members?

A team workspace is provided in which team members can communicate in a private forum, share files with other team members, and ask and answer KudoZ questions privately among the team.

3.4 - How can I create a team?

Only site members can create a team. To create a translation team, select My ProZ.com->My teams from the main menu, and then select "Create team". You will be asked to fill out a simple form with information about your team, including the name, slogan, logo, and contact email address. Most information is optional, and all information can be modified at any later time.

After completing and submitting the form, your team will be created. You will be presented with links to specify the team's language pairs, pricing, and most importantly, invite others to join your team. The link to your team(s) will appear on your profile page.

3.5 - How can I invite other translators to join my team?

On the "Edit team members" page, either type the person's name into the "Invite by name" field, and select from a list of matching users, or enter the person's ProZ.com user ID.

Those invited will be notified by email and asked to accept or decline the invitation.

3.6 - How can a job quote be made on behalf of a team?

Team leaders can always quote on behalf of their team. Team members (as opposed to team leaders) can also quote on behalf of the team. By default, however, team members aren't presented with the option. Team leaders must grant each user access using the "Edit team members" link on the team page, and checking the "Can quote" option under the member's name.

Those team members who are allowed to quote for the team will be presented with a new option when quoting:

This quote is on behalf of:

3.7 - I want to leave the team, what should I do?

If you want to leave your team, you need to contact the team leader and ask him/her to remove your name from the team page. If the team owner doesn't reply to your request, please submit a support ticket and ProZ.com staff will ensure you are removed from the team.

4 - Mentoring/apprenticeship

4.1 - What is the experimental mentoring/apprenticeship program?

This experimental and optional pilot program is intended to provide a means for full members who would like to be mentored to meet members who are well-established enough to take on an apprentice. When two people agree to work together in this capacity, they will do so closely, with a set of mutual responsibilities, for a defined period of three months.

It is envisioned that this program may prove useful to some of those who, for example, have completed formal training in translation but have a lack of practical experience and have not yet developed a complete group of clients. For mentors, the program may provide a useful means not only of sharing one's experience, but also of finding new partners for growing translation teams. In this respect, and given that there is a defined period for the apprenticeship, the program may prove similar to the "internship" programs that often lead to full-time employment in other industries.

4.2 - What are the guidelines and requirements for the mentorship / apprenticeship program?

To view the guidelines and requirements for the mentoring/apprenticeship program, please take a look at the following announcement.

4.3 - Who may participate in the mentoring / apprenticeship program?

Participation in the program is open to members (students and professionals).

4.4 - Is there a required amount of time and work I need to commit to weekly to participate in the program?

Each pairing will be able to exercise a degree of discretion regarding the amount of time and work that is taken up. So, in that sense, a mentor or apprentice (the actual pairing) would ideally be working, participating, etc., the amount of time each has agreed upon at the beginning of the three month commitment.

4.5 - Am I allowed to have more than one mentor/apprentice?

If you are a member (student and professionals) and have the time to participate in both pairings (and your other mentor/apprentice does not object), then you may have two actual pairings.

4.6 - Where can I sign up to participate in the mentoring / apprenticeship program?

You may sign up for the mentoring / apprenticeship program on the Exchange page.

Note: All participants will be asked to agree to a disclaimer before being able to participate in the program.

4.7 - I found a mentor/apprentice that has agreed to work with me, who do I need to notify?

Mentors and apprentices are required to register their pairing to site staff through the on line support page.