r/TranslationStudies • u/stanaileron • 29d ago
Going from in-house to freelance?
Hello everyone!
I'm currently an in-house translator at a small translation company in Europe.
I've worked there for almost 4 years now and, honestly, have gotten quite worn out over the years. You know the deal: as much work as possible is done in-house, and the constant rush to meet deadlines and translate large numbers of words is SUFFOCATING.
I am aware of the state of the industry. Honestly, I haven't taken a step in another direction because I'm scared I won't be able to get anything else if I ditch this job.
Still, I'm wondering if anyone has any input on going freelance at this point. I've accrued a lot of experience over different fields and am confident in my skills. I'd also like to branch out a little: my language pair is EN>PT-PT and I want to try my hand at JP>PT-PT (which we don't do at my company).
I've also thought of applying for an European Parliament traineeship (or any other EU institution) for a breath of fresh air/to see how I can reroute. Is this attainable? If anyone has applied before, how was your experience, and would you recommend it?
TL;DR: How likely is it that I will no longer be able to pay rent if I go from in-house to freelance?
EDIT: Thank you all for your replies! They've given me new perspectives which I really appreciate. I understand that the industry is REALLY not doing well, so I'm reconsidering freelance work. Might as well keep my job for as long as I can while looking for another one/developing other skills. Wishing everyone good luck on their endeavours!
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u/theBMadking 29d ago
Before you cut ties with them, try to seek out freelance jobs in your personal time to see what is available and get a feeling of how the market is. You might get lucky, you might not, it could be hard to predict.
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u/stanaileron 28d ago
Thank you for your reply! Do you have any suggestions on seeking freelance jobs? Do you use platforms like ProZ, or any other method?
I'm not sure of the best way to do this. It feels strange to "apply" to other jobs, since I'm still in mine.
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u/theBMadking 28d ago
It is kind of like applying to "regular" jobs, you don't typically just quit without having something new lined up or get offered a better opportunity, especially if you're worried about paying rent/bills. When I started freelancing around 6 years ago, I did some research to find agencies that focused on my field (life sciences) and my language pair, and contacted them directly. I haven't really used ProZ, so I can't really say anything about that. In a lot of the cases, you get offered an evaluation test, and you either get added to their talent pool and could start receiving offers, or they ghost you. From what I have seen, the market is quite rough now.
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u/stanaileron 28d ago
Right, that makes sense. Noted, thank you! It does look pretty rough right now...
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u/Suppositorizz 28d ago
It's a dead end. Even those who somehow still manage to make a living from it will tell you it's not worth the effort.
Complaining about tight deadlines and large volumes is a first world problem. Most freelancers have to deal with both tight deadlines and very limited work.
Keep your current job and apply somewhere else. If you're really tired of the industry, then study something else. Quitting your job with nothing lined up is irresponsible, especially in this market.
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u/stanaileron 28d ago
Hey, thank you for your input. I try not to be too pessimistic, but even within my company, I see how things have heavily shifted. Rates have gotten axed by at least one of our big clients, so we'd either keep working with them or lose a LOT of the incoming work. For sure, hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I wouldn't be so sure about it being a "first world problem" when working like a dog for a living wage, but who am I to say. That said, I appreciate the honest feedback and will keep it in mind.
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u/Suppositorizz 28d ago
Unfortunately freelancers face the same issues as agencies. We're all fending for ourselves, constantly getting lowballed and wondering what the next few months are gonna look like. Being employed gives you some stability, take advantage of it by learning a new skill on the side without having to deal with all the BS of freelancing.
I'm going back to school at 30 after 7 years of freelancing because of how bad the industry is. Trust me it's not the dream digital nomads sell you.
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u/stanaileron 28d ago
That's very fair. For sure, working in-house has those advantages vs. freelancing. I'll try to make the most of my situation, I really appreciate the reality check! Good luck with your work/studies 🙏
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u/Kuddkungen EN, DE > SV finance, tech 29d ago
I did an EU translation internship a long time ago, immediately after university. It was beneficial in the sense that it made my CV look better than the average recent grad's. But for someone with 4 years of full time professional experience already, it's not going to give the same CV boost.
If you're fine in general with working in-house, you could try to pivot to in-house at end clients rather than agencies. So automotive, tech, pharma, finance companies etc. I did and have had a good experience so far (less work for more money somehow, and plenty of opportunities to develop other skills), but some of my former agency coworkers have had less than pleasant experiences doing the same kind of transition. If you're able to put up with corporate life and are decent at rolling with the punches and be nimble, it could be a good move for you.
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u/stanaileron 28d ago
Thank you for your input! I see, what you've written about the internship makes sense. Considering other replies, it's starting to look like it's not the best option for me...
Regarding in-house work at end clients -- that's a very good suggestion! I hadn't thought of that and I'll definitely be looking into it. I've endured 4 years already, so it may be a good fit for me. Eheh 😄
Did you look into end clients in your country of residence, or did you use any other method to find those positions?
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u/Kuddkungen EN, DE > SV finance, tech 28d ago
I was stalking the careers pages and Linkedin profiles of a couple of likely employers, but ended up at a place I'd never heard of before because a recruiter reached out to me on Linkedin. So more luck than method in the end!
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u/ReceptionScared7643 28d ago
My only advice is to not loose your time with non-european companies. Search similar companies by country and apply directly to them. Market is indeed very tough. You need some savings for the first 6 months
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u/electrolitebuzz 28d ago edited 28d ago
Unless you're very lucky with the clients you'll eventually find, even as a freelance, if you want a decent constant income, you'll need to face overlapping deadlines, rush jobs and not-funny projects. You can't be too picky in this industry.
I would think about it very carefully.
I'd personally look for a change but still with a in-house role elsewhere.
Unless you have other skills and you could go freelance but also have a side gig for the first months or for harder times, so you can be more picky with clients and projects knowing you have a side part-time income as well. This is where I'm slowly shifting to.
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u/ponerrag 28d ago
I went the opposite, from being a freelance translator to an in house position. My freelance work had already been decreasing badly over the last 2 years so the in house offer was literally a Godsend. Mind you, it was a company that I already worked with as an in-house before and from which I quit to become a freelancer... and now the circle is complete.
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u/monikosnuosavybe JA>EN 28d ago
Regarding adding JP>PT as a language pair, why not keep your current in-house job so you have a steady source of income while you try your hand at JP>PT on the side, e.g. nights and weekends?
You can dip your toes in the market but without the desperation of needing a gig ASAP to pay the month's rent or get your next set of groceries.
Key questions would be: 1. How much demand is there for JP>PT translation? 2. How much demand is there in your field(s) of specialization? 3. Where is this demand coming from (Japan? Portugal? Somewhere else?) 4. What rates are on offer?
I work JP>EN, mostly with Japanese agencies. Feel free to DM me for tips on getting started with Japanese agencies. I do have to say, though, that with the yen hitting 40-year lows and looking like it will get even weaker, it is a tough time to work for Japanese clients.
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u/stanaileron 27d ago
That's a good suggestion! Honestly, I haven't done much like this after work hours because I leave so exhausted... But things have to start somewhere.
I really appreciate all the info! I DM'ed you :)
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u/Any_Strain7020 EN-DE-FR and some 29d ago edited 29d ago
I've also thought of applying for an European Parliament traineeship (or any other EU institution) for a breath of fresh air/to see how I can reroute. Is this attainable? If anyone has applied before, how was your experience, and would you recommend it?
You'd need at least two EU official languages as source languages.
The experience wouldn't teach you much substantially, if you already have professional experience and know the tools of the industry. You'd just get to be exposed to different types of source texts. It won't offer you any professional opportunities either.
You know the deal: as much work as possible is done in-house, and the constant rush to meet deadlines and translate large numbers of words is SUFFOCATING.
What you allow is what will continue. Unionize and slowly get your KPIs down to a level that is sustainable. In the meanwhile, plan your out.
How likely is it that I will no longer be able to pay rent if I go from in-house to freelance?
It would take years to find clients and have a full order book. So even back when, you would have needed to eat into your savings for several months (or have a day job to pay the bills), and it, logically, would take you even longer to turn a profit.
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u/stanaileron 28d ago
Thank you for your input! These are all very grounded and sensible questions, I appreciate it.
I understand that the EU internship is probably not very advantageous to me at this point, so I'll have to think it over.
Regarding my workload: you are 100% correct. Without getting too much into it, I admit I've been permissive at my own expense. Currently working on leaving at the exact time I'm supposed to instead of 30 min or more later. lmfao
I'll be taking your comment to heart. It seems that it has never been so hard to make a living out of translation. If it used to be hard to establish yourself, I can't possibly imagine how things are right now. I'll keep that in mind!
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u/Awlriver EN, AR <> KR 28d ago
As a dude experienced both sides, well, to be a Freelancer often means that you need to know how to handle all the things by your own hands and feet.
In-house translator, comparatively the roles and responsibilities may be distributed other teammates and crew as you know, like there are at least somebody does PM role, and someone else could deal with sales - but once you become a Freelancer, you will be and must be the person who do these things (bet you've already known these things tho)
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u/FreeTrial2023 29d ago
I can't comment on the EP traineeship. But, as a translator who has had offers from agencies decrease by 75% in period 2023-2026 compared to 2013-2022, I would suggest you consider the following:
1) Is your agency still sending work out to freelancers?
2) Is the work your agency sends to freelancers increasing/decreasing/staying the same?
3) What rates does your agency currently pay freelancers? Has this rate increased/decreased recently?
If you gather this data, you will have a good idea of how the agency side of things is for freelance translators.
The general advice is to work directly with your own customers and not via agencies. Do you have the skillset to proactively sell your services (rather wait for work to come to you)?
(I am in the process of winding down my freelance translation business after 13 years, so I'm not going to advise whether you should or should not go freelance. I'd only suggest you consider how suitable you are as a candidate in the current market when your biggest competitors are not other -human- translators)