Newish Japanese>English translator - how to negotiate contract/pay?
April 25, 2017 11:45 AM Subscribe
I'll be working remotely from home. This is the first job I've taken in which negotiation is a factor - I'm worried I'll either sell myself short, or end up pulling an Icarus. Rate of pay is per word when translating documents, and per hour if I end up interpreting through phone. Catch: They want to hire me through a contracting agency, and negotiations will be through them. I'm doing internet research, but could use some friendly MeFite advice for negotiating rate of pay, what to ask for/bring up, what to watch out for, etc.
I've already been offered the position, probably because I have a friend who works for the company...
he's STEM though, and knows little regarding the details of my job. It's a remote gig so I can work from home, which is is a big plus for me.
I'll be translating technical documents for a relatively well-known auto supplier located in the Midwest. I've never attempted any sort of technical translation, but I've taken a look at some example documents and believe I can get up to speed soon enough. They also might try and wean me into interpreting for them, once I've done enough translating to pick up on the terminology. They mentioned the possibility of becoming a direct hire a half year or so down the road, depending upon my performance of course.
The contracting house seems reputable enough, and they boast on their website about their "amazing benefits package." But from what I understand - and correct me if I'm misinformed - their purpose is to push my pay as low as is feasible for the sake of my employer. I'm not a big fan of playing hardball (haggling with car salesmen makes me queasy), and am hoping that I'm just catastrophizing what will turn out to be a relatively muss-free chat.
What questions do I need to be asking the agent during the negotiations? What points should I bring up, what should I ask for and what should I make sure I have set in stone? Are there any red flags I should be watching out for? Should I just take down info and give myself time to consider their offer?
I'd especially like to hear from any translators who have been through this type of process, to get some suggestions regarding a reasonable rate of pay to ask for (again - per word when translating documents, and per hour if I end up interpreting). Should I shoot high assuming they'll try to bring me down low?
BUT I would appreciate any and all advice/strategies for coming out of the call feeling like I didn't get the short end of the stick.
Let me know if I'm leaving out any details that would help in giving advice. Thanks in advance, MeFites!
I've already been offered the position, probably because I have a friend who works for the company...
he's STEM though, and knows little regarding the details of my job. It's a remote gig so I can work from home, which is is a big plus for me.
I'll be translating technical documents for a relatively well-known auto supplier located in the Midwest. I've never attempted any sort of technical translation, but I've taken a look at some example documents and believe I can get up to speed soon enough. They also might try and wean me into interpreting for them, once I've done enough translating to pick up on the terminology. They mentioned the possibility of becoming a direct hire a half year or so down the road, depending upon my performance of course.
The contracting house seems reputable enough, and they boast on their website about their "amazing benefits package." But from what I understand - and correct me if I'm misinformed - their purpose is to push my pay as low as is feasible for the sake of my employer. I'm not a big fan of playing hardball (haggling with car salesmen makes me queasy), and am hoping that I'm just catastrophizing what will turn out to be a relatively muss-free chat.
What questions do I need to be asking the agent during the negotiations? What points should I bring up, what should I ask for and what should I make sure I have set in stone? Are there any red flags I should be watching out for? Should I just take down info and give myself time to consider their offer?
I'd especially like to hear from any translators who have been through this type of process, to get some suggestions regarding a reasonable rate of pay to ask for (again - per word when translating documents, and per hour if I end up interpreting). Should I shoot high assuming they'll try to bring me down low?
BUT I would appreciate any and all advice/strategies for coming out of the call feeling like I didn't get the short end of the stick.
Let me know if I'm leaving out any details that would help in giving advice. Thanks in advance, MeFites!
Best answer: You might want to check out proz.com. As a translator, you can become a member (but you can also browse for free) and there are jobs posted on there by companies/individuals needing translators. There is also a forum where other translators discuss fees. It might also be a good place to pick up a job or two and get some experience (most of them are freelance/short-term and done remotely).
posted by bearette at 1:38 PM on April 25, 2017
posted by bearette at 1:38 PM on April 25, 2017
This slide deck on pricing should also be interesting for any freelancer. Although it's focused on designing products or technology-based services, it poses some interesting questions about how to determine price.
posted by My Dad at 1:39 PM on April 25, 2017
posted by My Dad at 1:39 PM on April 25, 2017
Best answer: Indeed, bearette. Posting there would net you better results than posting here, although I did go and find some average rates for you.
FWIW, I find the idea of paying $0.13/word for technical Jp -> En to be laughably cheap. Then again, in that lang pair I usually am working in silicon tech, where the rates are predictably higher. Technical Jp -> En at $0.09 is likely to be terrible.
posted by BrunoLatourFanclub at 1:41 PM on April 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
FWIW, I find the idea of paying $0.13/word for technical Jp -> En to be laughably cheap. Then again, in that lang pair I usually am working in silicon tech, where the rates are predictably higher. Technical Jp -> En at $0.09 is likely to be terrible.
posted by BrunoLatourFanclub at 1:41 PM on April 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
TBH, as BrunoLatourFanclub's comment indicates, Proz.com is not really the greatest "marketplace" for translators. The translators FB group I mentioned is better, although I suspect they will give you the same advice I gave above: a fair rate is whatever makes sense for you. That's what's worked for me.
posted by My Dad at 2:11 PM on April 25, 2017
posted by My Dad at 2:11 PM on April 25, 2017
Best answer: The contract shop may have an amazing benefits package, but I'd be very surprised if that's for you: I would think that would be for the people it employs full time, not contractors.
That said, they may not be trying to chisel you on rates. I've dealt with a big company that funneled all their contract translators through an outside agency; I think that was for tax purposes, and perhaps to insulate themselves from any accusation that they were treating employees as contractors to cheat the government on FICA withholdings (which has happened, but not in our industry, so far as I know). In that case, most of my interaction was with the end-client, but I invoiced the outside agency and was paid by them. It was a weird setup, but it wasn't shady.
I don't generally negotiate rates: my rates are "take it or leave it." If I'm approached by someone, I'll ask what they're offering before I mention a rate.
posted by adamrice at 4:15 PM on April 25, 2017 [3 favorites]
That said, they may not be trying to chisel you on rates. I've dealt with a big company that funneled all their contract translators through an outside agency; I think that was for tax purposes, and perhaps to insulate themselves from any accusation that they were treating employees as contractors to cheat the government on FICA withholdings (which has happened, but not in our industry, so far as I know). In that case, most of my interaction was with the end-client, but I invoiced the outside agency and was paid by them. It was a weird setup, but it wasn't shady.
I don't generally negotiate rates: my rates are "take it or leave it." If I'm approached by someone, I'll ask what they're offering before I mention a rate.
posted by adamrice at 4:15 PM on April 25, 2017 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: Thank you everybody, that's good to know! I'll let you know how it goes :)
posted by CottonCandyCapers at 9:12 AM on April 26, 2017
posted by CottonCandyCapers at 9:12 AM on April 26, 2017
"FWIW, I find the idea of paying $0.13/word for technical Jp -> En to be laughably cheap. Then again, in that lang pair I usually am working in silicon tech, where the rates are predictably higher. Technical Jp -> En at $0.09 is likely to be terrible.
Are you saying that in the sense of "an agency paying a translator $0.13 per word would be laughably cheap" or "a customer paying a translation agency $0.13 per word would be laughably cheap"?
posted by Bugbread at 11:27 PM on April 27, 2017
Are you saying that in the sense of "an agency paying a translator $0.13 per word would be laughably cheap" or "a customer paying a translation agency $0.13 per word would be laughably cheap"?
posted by Bugbread at 11:27 PM on April 27, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
How much per our would it take to answer this question?
Generally I would offer a range, and take that hourly rate as the minimum, and then tack on 25 to 50 percent as the maximum on that range. If you're working for an agency, be aware they are going to take a cut of your hourly rate, so pitching that range is important.
In terms of "standard rates" in the JE translation and interpreting field, you're competing with seasoned pros located in high-cost Japan, the US, UK and Aus as well as folks working from low-cost countries such as India and the Philippines... and even China.
So the standard rate is very, very broad, which is why it is important for you to determine which rate works best to meet your financial goals, and accept nothing less.
Be aware that not everyone values JE translation and interpreting. For example, the Tokyo Olympics will be relying on mostly volunteer interpreters. The other day, Nikkei was looking for volunteer interpreters for an all-day event.
Truly professional JE interpreters will charge US$600 to $1000 a day to do interpreting.
The trick, and this goes for any kind of freelancing, is finding clients who will pay you what you need. They are out there. It sounds like you are just starting out in JE translation and interpreting, so, even if this company pays you a lower rate (that still allows you to meet your financial goals!), you'll be gaining experience.
I've found that even a little bit of experience can be leveraged into much higher-paying jobs -- I have become more familiar with a particular vertical, understand the "culture" of it, and can present myself as a "pro." That's how I get higher-paying clients as a freelancer.
I don't do a lot of JE translation anymore (I find freelance writing is just as or more lucrative, and is easier to do), but I do belong to the FB JE translators group. MeMail me if you'd like to join.
posted by My Dad at 12:03 PM on April 25, 2017 [1 favorite]