Translator CV Example and Writing Guide
Translation clients look for language pairs, subject specialisms and quality. List your pairs and direction, word counts, specialisms (legal, medical, technical) and CAT tools.
What employers look for in a Translator
- Language pairs and fluency
- Subject specialisation
- CAT tools
- Accuracy and consistency
- Deadline reliability
Translator CV example
Use this sample as inspiration. Replace every number and detail with your own real achievements.
Your Name
Translator
City, Country · phone · email@example.com · linkedin.com/in/yourname
Professional profile
Professional translator with 8+ years translating legal, technical and marketing content between English, Arabic and French. Translated over 3 million words with consistently high quality scores. Proficient in SDL Trados, memoQ and terminology management.
Experience — key achievements
- Translated 3M+ words of legal, technical and marketing content with 98%+ quality scores
- Localised a mobile app and website into Arabic, supporting a successful launch in 6 markets
- Built and maintained term bases that improved consistency across a 5-person team
- Delivered urgent translations within 24 hours for corporate and government clients
- Proofread and reviewed 500K+ words of other translators' work
- Subtitled 100+ videos for e-learning and marketing campaigns
Skills
Translation · Localisation · Proofreading · Transcreation · CAT Tools (Trados, memoQ) · Terminology Management · Legal Translation · Technical Translation · Subtitling · Cultural Adaptation · Research · Deadline Management
Entry-level Translator CV profile
No experience yet? Lead with education, projects and transferable skills. Here is a profile you can adapt:
Languages graduate fluent in English, Arabic and French with experience translating academic and business documents. Accurate, culturally aware and skilled in CAT tools. Seeking a junior translator position.
Career objective version: Accurate and culturally aware translator seeking a role to deliver high-quality translation and localisation across languages and industries.
Typical Translator responsibilities
Do not copy duties straight onto your CV. Instead, turn each one into an achievement with a number — for example, how many, how much, or how much faster.
- Translate documents accurately
- Localise content for target markets
- Proofread and edit translations
- Maintain glossaries and term bases
- Meet deadlines and quality standards
Key skills for a Translator CV
Read our guide to the CV skills section and how to use CV keywords.
Certifications worth listing
- Certified translator (ATA, CIOL, NAATI)
- Language proficiency (C2)
- Trados certification
Requirements vary by country and employer — always check the job advert and the relevant licensing body.
How to write a stronger Translator CV
- 1
Put your target job title — "Translator" — directly under your name so recruiters and ATS see the match immediately.
- 2
Open with a three-line profile: experience level, two or three core skills and one measurable result.
- 3
Write experience bullets as action verb + task + result. Aim for a number in at least half of your bullets.
- 4
Mirror the exact skills and tools named in the job advert, but only those you genuinely have.
- 5
Use a clean, single-column layout and save as a text-based PDF unless the employer asks for Word.
Applying abroad?
CV conventions — photo, length, personal details — change from country to country. Read the guide for your target market:
Translator CV — frequently asked questions
What should I include in a Translator CV?
Include a short professional profile, reverse-chronological experience with measurable achievements, a skills section and your education. Employers hiring for translator roles especially look for: language pairs and fluency, subject specialisation, cat tools.
What are the best skills for a Translator CV?
Strong translator CVs usually feature skills such as Translation, Localisation, Proofreading, Transcreation, CAT Tools (Trados, memoQ), Terminology Management. Match the exact wording of the job advert and prove key skills inside your experience bullets.
Which certifications help a Translator CV stand out?
Depending on your country and level, useful credentials include Certified translator (ATA, CIOL, NAATI), Language proficiency (C2), Trados certification. List them with the year achieved or your expected completion date.
How long should a Translator CV be?
One page for students and early-career candidates; two pages for most experienced professionals. Senior or highly specialised candidates may need more, but every line should be relevant to the role.
Can I create a Translator CV for free?
Yes. The BuildCVFast builder is free to use. Choose "Translator" as your job title to load a starting profile, skills and bullet points, then edit them with your own details and download a PDF.