| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Do you accept requests for urgent projects? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
|
|---|
| | Michael Harris 
Germany
Local time: 11:49
Member (2006)
German to English
most of the time, but only if I have time and the deadline / wordcount is not completely ridiculous.
| | | | Billh
Local time: 10:49
Spanish to English
+ ...
| I charge extra per word for "urgencia" | May 25, 2015 |
and as I am apparently one of very few legal translators who can sustain over 10000 words a day this probably accounts for most of my work and earnings.
I flatly refuse to work on just part of a job or project with other translators, I do it all or none at all. I also refuse to work on translations started or touched by other translators. In both cases for reasons of extra work and reputational risk............
| | | | Angus Stewart
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:49
Member (2011)
French to English
+ ...
| Yes, most of the time | May 25, 2015 |
Michael Harris wrote:
most of the time, but only if I have time and the deadline / wordcount is not completely ridiculous.
I answered yes, as a substantial proportion of the potential projects clients approach me with fall into the urgent category.
| | |
|
|
|
Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 10:49
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
| Only from repeat clients | May 25, 2015 |
Not necessarily regular ones, but they must already have paid me at least once, on time and with no hassle. In fact their previous project(s) must have been hassle-free in terms of administration. I don't put myself out for clients who make my life difficult. OTOH, when a regular client needed me to work past 2 a.m. a few monthe back, I obliged.
Note to new translators: accepting urgent jobs from clients you know nothing about is stressful and could end up in payment issues. Perfor... See more Not necessarily regular ones, but they must already have paid me at least once, on time and with no hassle. In fact their previous project(s) must have been hassle-free in terms of administration. I don't put myself out for clients who make my life difficult. OTOH, when a regular client needed me to work past 2 a.m. a few monthe back, I obliged.
Note to new translators: accepting urgent jobs from clients you know nothing about is stressful and could end up in payment issues. Performing all the necessary steps (checking whether the company is legit, checking reputation, getting the invoice and other contact details and, most importantly, tying down the terms and conditions of the job) takes time. Skip this due diligence at your peril. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Sometimes, depending on several factors | May 25, 2015 |
First of all: Who for? For my regular clients I would for sure accept immediately, as keeping my clients happy keeps me happy as well, but I would probably hesitate for a new client, unless the project seems interesting, the money is good, the client has a good reputation and I’m available...
| | | | DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
+ ...
As far as I work directly I always accept rush jobs, which are just more lucrative and higher-priority. Of course, if there are two rush jobs, I usually take the smaller one first.
I used to think that switching to and fro is rather annoying and nuisance, but it gave me a habit to reread and recheck not only the source, but also the previously translated parts. Shortly, instead of changing activities I often enjoy changing the text/part for a while. Yep, it's kinda refreshing.
... See more As far as I work directly I always accept rush jobs, which are just more lucrative and higher-priority. Of course, if there are two rush jobs, I usually take the smaller one first.
I used to think that switching to and fro is rather annoying and nuisance, but it gave me a habit to reread and recheck not only the source, but also the previously translated parts. Shortly, instead of changing activities I often enjoy changing the text/part for a while. Yep, it's kinda refreshing.
No pending, just rescheduling) ▲ Collapse
| | | | | If the client sounds reasonable | May 25, 2015 |
I know my regular clients, and of course I help them out when I can.
I have in fact started working for several good clients by taking urgent jobs, if the scenario is:
Agency receives a job request -> all their regular translators are busy or on holiday -> they have to find a 'new' translator -> the job gets urgent while they are looking for one.
If the job is small, the risk is not always high, and if I can, I often press it in for them after quick checks ... See more I know my regular clients, and of course I help them out when I can.
I have in fact started working for several good clients by taking urgent jobs, if the scenario is:
Agency receives a job request -> all their regular translators are busy or on holiday -> they have to find a 'new' translator -> the job gets urgent while they are looking for one.
If the job is small, the risk is not always high, and if I can, I often press it in for them after quick checks of their website and the Blue Board. That gut feeling has proved trustworthy, or I have been lucky.
I have indeed found one or two clients that way who never had any 'ordinary' jobs; everything was urgent. I give up on that type fast too - I genuinely do not have time to drop everything and do their job first every time.
However, I have an understanding husband and no small children, so it is no big problem to take urgent jobs and take time off later. Others have done that for me when I had more family ties, and it helps a lot if someone can be flexible! ▲ Collapse
| | |
|
|
|
John Cutler
Spain
Local time: 11:49
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Sometimes... | May 25, 2015 |
If I feel like there's something in it for me that outweighs the stress involved, sure.
| | | |
and only if the conditions on both sides make it possible to be done to a high professional standard.
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 11:49
Spanish to English
+ ...
Especially from my direct clients. Am not so keen on "urgent" requests from agencies or other sources.
My take on it is that if everything is being classed as "urgent", the company or client is not being professional enough to plan their "projects" properly, i.e. factoring in the time required for things like drafting and translation of texts.
I'm willing to bet that very few of the many clients asking for urgent translation work give up their weekends or other quality time ... See more Especially from my direct clients. Am not so keen on "urgent" requests from agencies or other sources.
My take on it is that if everything is being classed as "urgent", the company or client is not being professional enough to plan their "projects" properly, i.e. factoring in the time required for things like drafting and translation of texts.
I'm willing to bet that very few of the many clients asking for urgent translation work give up their weekends or other quality time to ensure that deadlines are met. ▲ Collapse
| | | |
1. It's for a regular client, and
2. The time frame is doable.
Some of my clients pay extra for rush work, which is a nice incentive.
| | |
|
|
|
Anthony Baldwin
United States
Local time: 05:49
Portuguese to English
+ ...
| depends entirely upon | May 25, 2015 |
1. my availability
2. the nature of the project to be completed
3. the feasibility of completing the project according to required terms
4. my prior relationship to the client
5. the compensation offered
| | | | Julian Holmes
Japan
Local time: 18:49
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
...on condition that some kind of monetary incentive is involved, like most of you all have already stated.
Since 'rush' or 'urgent' necessitates some kind of sacrifice in terms of time and, in the worst case, burning the candle at both ends, a 30% surcharge on weekdays and 60% on weekends is a reasonable price to pay.
This would be the response from a lawyer or a doctor, if they even agree to help you out.
Mind you, this proviso is for infrequent customers... See more ...on condition that some kind of monetary incentive is involved, like most of you all have already stated.
Since 'rush' or 'urgent' necessitates some kind of sacrifice in terms of time and, in the worst case, burning the candle at both ends, a 30% surcharge on weekdays and 60% on weekends is a reasonable price to pay.
This would be the response from a lawyer or a doctor, if they even agree to help you out.
Mind you, this proviso is for infrequent customers only.
For regular customers, I try to accommodate all of their requests within reason. I always try to take the rough with the smooth and bend like bamboo in the wind. Ideally it should all balance out in the long run.  ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Before I forget | May 25, 2015 |
I hope those of you who were so horrified by the environmental implications of dinosaur translators printing out jobs for checking are aware that this pales into insignificance next to the environmental impact of the palm oil in your biscuits... Just saying.
| | | | | Pages in topic: [1 2] > | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: Do you accept requests for urgent projects? | CafeTran Espresso | You've never met a CAT tool this clever!
Translate faster & easier, using a sophisticated CAT tool built by a translator / developer.
Accept jobs from clients who use Trados, MemoQ, Wordfast & major CAT tools.
Download and start using CafeTran Espresso -- for free
Buy now! » |
| | Wordfast Pro | Translation Memory Software for Any Platform
Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users!
Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value
Buy now! » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
