Interpreters

Most employers, especially government branches or those with highly visible interpreter needs, look for workers with at least one to two years of experience, some many more. The employer may also be looking for more than just interpreting experience. For example, companies that hire interpreters in their customer service departments will also want to hire workers who have office/customer service experience. Interpreters in the health care setting will need to have experience working in the health care field. In general, the more responsibility associated with a particular job, the more experience that will be required.

Interpreters should be able to speak at least two languages fluently, without strong accents. 

Interpreters must have good hearing, a sharp mind, and a strong, clear, and pleasant voice. They must be able to be precise and quick in their translation. In addition to being flexible and versatile in their work, both interpreters and translators should have self-discipline and patience. Above all, they should have an interest in and love of language.

Interpreters must be honest and trustworthy, observing any existing codes of confidentiality at all times. The ethical code of interpreters is a rigid one. They must hold private proceedings in strict confidence. Ethics also demands that interpreters not distort the meaning of the sentences that are spoken or written. No matter how much they may agree or disagree with the speaker or writer, interpreters must be objective in their work. In addition, information they obtain in the process of interpretation must never be passed along to unauthorized people or groups.

The U.S. Department of Labor lists several other skills and traits that are either required or beneficial to people that have an interest in working in this field. These include concentration (interpreters sometimes have to be able to focus on one person speaking when there may be several others speaking at the same time), cultural sensitivity, dexterity, and excellent writing, listening, and speaking skills. Freelance or self-employed interpreters must also have very good business and marketing skills.