Breaking into the localisation industry
Advice from our HR Manager
The localisation industry is one that continues to grow and with it, opportunities for school-leavers, university graduates and others to forge a career within the industry.
As the increasingly digital arena allows for more businesses to “go global”, companies that provide translation and communications services for customising product and marketing communications to local markets find themselves in high demand. Consequently, these companies need more and more employees to meet the demand.
Here are a few tips from our HR Manager on how to land a job in the industry.
1. Make sure you’re suitable for the position
It is always appreciated when the CVs sent through match the job on offer. There’s no point in sending your CV in for every single position. You will be rejected (or worse – ignored) so many times that it will make you feel despondent. There’s also no point in applying to be a Subtitle Editor if you’ve spent the last 10 years working as a sound engineer. At the very least, you should have some training and/or experience in the field or position you’re interested in. Read the advertisement carefully so that you know exactly what the position entails and requires.
2. In-house or freelance – be honest
At times, we have freelance work available and at other times, we may need a new full-time team member. Know what it is you are looking for before you apply. If you are really a freelancer, but you apply for full-time position too, you run the risk of being employed for just a short while, until the perfect contract comes along – this wastes everybody’s time. Know what type of employment you want – and stick to it.
3. Empower yourself with information
If you’ve been sent an assessment before an interview, don’t be afraid to ask questions! Nobody expects you to have all the answers, so we are quite happy to provide you with guidance. Rather empower yourself with information than be too afraid to ask and then lose out on the opportunity.
4. Prepare for every interview
Do your preparation before an interview. Research the company; research the processes if you don’t understand them; research your role if you’re uncertain about something; and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Those who stand out in an interview are inevitably the people who took the time to get to know the company before the interview. The more you know, the more questions you can ask and the more questions you can ask, the better you will understand if the role is right for you or not.
5. Demonstrate your teamwork
Our industry relies on teamwork and – even though our staff work independently – being able to work as part of a team is vital in the localisation game. You may be required to work in multiple languages that you don’t understand – a good working rapport with your teammates means you can rely on one another. It’s essential that every member of the team puts their best foot forward, so as to minimise delays in production. If someone in the team has let the side down with poor quality work, it may only become apparent when the episode airs. During your interview – or even in your cover letter – demonstrate how you are a team player and what that means to you.
6. Show your desire to grow
In a fast-growing industry, the people who are continuously growing and learning are those who are quickly promoted into new roles. Tell your interviewer how and why you plan to grow with the company. We are only as good as our weakest link, so your enthusiasm for growth and development will not go unnoticed.
If you are logical, organised and detail-oriented, with impeccable communication skills and the ability to juggle tasks and projects without dropping the ball, the localisation industry may just be for you.