What Is a Part Time Translator and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

As a part-time translator, you translate live speech, audio recordings, or written documents from one language to another. You work less than 40 hours per week in this position. You may work with a specific person as they travel through a foreign country or facilitate communication for multiple parties at an event. You may perform translation duties for groups or individuals, interpret legal documents, or assist new immigrants with tasks like opening a bank account. Your responsibilities include using your language skills to communicate context, intonation, meaning, and emotion as clearly and accurately as possible to the intended individual or group.

Obtaining a part-time job as a translator involves having both written and spoken fluency in a second language. Your qualifications should include a certificate or post-secondary degree in the second language. Many government institutions hire translators, and state, federal, or municipal websites often advertise for these jobs. Newcomer services within your community also need translators, and visiting these places in person or online can help you find part-time positions. Many internet freelancer job boards advertise translation work as well, and these may only require you to take a writing or speaking competency test. Offering language lessons is often another way to find translation work.