Recording a short introduction video as part of the agency application process - a new normal?
Thread poster: Alena Trainova
Alena Trainova
Alena Trainova  Identity Verified
Australia
Local time: 20:15
English to Russian
Mar 11, 2021

I was wondering whether it is becoming a normal part of the application process for T&I agencies to request translators (and interpreters) to record a short video introducing themselves.

In the last few months I have come across such a request a couple of times and I am not sure what to make of it. Perhaps it could be useful for the identification of interpreters carrying out assignments but how can such a requirement be justified in respect of translators?

I would li
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I was wondering whether it is becoming a normal part of the application process for T&I agencies to request translators (and interpreters) to record a short video introducing themselves.

In the last few months I have come across such a request a couple of times and I am not sure what to make of it. Perhaps it could be useful for the identification of interpreters carrying out assignments but how can such a requirement be justified in respect of translators?

I would like to know what people think about it and whether you would be prepared to provide such a recording.

Thank you
Collapse


bris97
 
Sadek_A
Sadek_A  Identity Verified
Local time: 13:15
English to Arabic
+ ...
No, it's not new. Mar 12, 2021

It was there several years ago, but voluntarily. And such videos were uploaded on companies' YT channels and their social media webpages, to promote those companies' standing on the market.
Alena Trainova wrote:
whether you would be prepared to provide such a recording

Only after they have agreed on a timed-volume (i.e. x of words in x time) and rate that are proper, in writing.
And, they can't use the video for any other purpose than introduction; so, not in marketing, tendering, etc., unless of course they agree on a remuneration for that additional use, again in writing.
Additionally, such an additional use must be stopped if they no longer send work.


 
Thayenga
Thayenga  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 10:15
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
It might be... Mar 12, 2021

because they want to see your face, while they are mostly unwilling to show theirs.

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
 
Alena Trainova
Alena Trainova  Identity Verified
Australia
Local time: 20:15
English to Russian
TOPIC STARTER
thank you for sharing your thoughts Mar 15, 2021

I was very hesitant and decided not to do it. The lack of transparency as to the exact purpose and the intended use of such recordings does not inspire much confidence.

Daryo
IrinaN
Adieu
 
Adieu
Adieu  Identity Verified
Ukrainian to English
+ ...
Odd Mar 28, 2021

Perhaps they are thinking of applying escort agency-style marketing to the interpreting industry. In that case, all I can say is they better pay STUNNINGLY WELL (triple digits per hour, first digit not a "1")

As for text translators... hell no. Tell them to Zoom you if they want to verify your identity, intellect, sanity, and/or sobriety, and forbid them to keep any recording thereof.


Alena Trainova
 
Mr. Satan (X)
Mr. Satan (X)
English to Indonesian
I've seen several. Mar 28, 2021

Although I'll never apply to any one of them unless I'm desperate. I just can't justify doing it since I don't see how this would be needed at all for doing written translations. For interpreters, maybe? But for introverts starring wall of texts all day? Eh, I'm not convinced.

Sadek_A wrote:

Only after they have agreed...


Oh, boy. I can sense troubles coming this way.


 
Sadek_A
Sadek_A  Identity Verified
Local time: 13:15
English to Arabic
+ ...
Perhaps profession forces to be indeed introverts staring at text, but... Mar 28, 2021

...not the point.
Novian Cahyadi wrote:
I don't see how this would be needed at all for doing written translations. For interpreters, maybe? But for introverts starring wall of texts all day? Eh, I'm not convinced.

Companies involved with those recordings are not interested in whether you are intro- or extra-.
Their main need for those videos is to try and squash the allegation they're using machine translation!
And, make no mistake, they might be using machine translation and continue to do so. They just need you to be their human image! That's why the whole thing needs an air-tight TOUs on your part!
Novian Cahyadi wrote:
Oh, boy. I can sense troubles coming this way.

Do kindly explain what troubles, and whose way?


 
Adieu
Adieu  Identity Verified
Ukrainian to English
+ ...
... Mar 29, 2021

Sadek_A wrote:

...not the point.
Novian Cahyadi wrote:
I don't see how this would be needed at all for doing written translations. For interpreters, maybe? But for introverts starring wall of texts all day? Eh, I'm not convinced.

Companies involved with those recordings are not interested in whether you are intro- or extra-.
Their main need for those videos is to try and squash the allegation they're using machine translation!
And, make no mistake, they might be using machine translation and continue to do so. They just need you to be their human image! That's why the whole thing needs an air-tight TOUs on your part!
Novian Cahyadi wrote:
Oh, boy. I can sense troubles coming this way.

Do kindly explain what troubles, and whose way?


So they want to use you for free video advertising? Even before they ever give a single paid job (IF they ever do)?


Christine Andersen
 
Matthias Brombach
Matthias Brombach  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 10:15
Member (2007)
Dutch to German
+ ...
Nothing new: ... Mar 29, 2021

Adieu wrote:
So they want to use you for free video advertising? Even before they ever give a single paid job (IF they ever do)?
... Think of all the EU tender applications agencies are asking you from time to time, for the only purpose of submitting your CV while they take their cheapest "resource" when they finally have won the bid.

[Bearbeitet am 2021-03-29 07:53 GMT]


Adieu
Alena Trainova
 
Sadek_A
Sadek_A  Identity Verified
Local time: 13:15
English to Arabic
+ ...
..... Mar 29, 2021

Adieu wrote:
So they want to use you for free video advertising? Even before they ever give a single paid job (IF they ever do)?

They wanting it doesn't mean you giving it. That's why you need to decide whether you want to record and in exchange for what. If they don't accept your terms, then they don't deserve your investment.

Edited to add: in case of a legit company that has already agreed on (1)rate, (2)volume and (3)verification-only purpose of the recording, in writing, then their intent would be to eliminate scammers, identity-thieves, and the likes. Note that those kind of legit companies don't just ask for a video, they also require degree copy and ID copy. But, if they are NOT committing to the 3 provisions, then they could well be using you.

[Edited at 2021-03-29 07:36 GMT]


Alena Trainova
 
Mr. Satan (X)
Mr. Satan (X)
English to Indonesian
titles.txt Apr 1, 2021

Sadek_A wrote:

...not the point.
Companies involved with those recordings are not interested in whether you are intro- or extra-.
Their main need for those videos is to try and squash the allegation they're using machine translation!
And, make no mistake, they might be using machine translation and continue to do so. They just need you to be their human image! That's why the whole thing needs an air-tight TOUs on your part!


You do realize that it was just a flavor text, right?


Do kindly explain what troubles, and whose way?


Letting corporations giving you a pinky-promise wink wink. Yeah, that never ends well.


 


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Recording a short introduction video as part of the agency application process - a new normal?







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