A networking tale June 3, 2009
Posted by Jill (@bonnjill) in Business practices, Random musings.trackback
I just got a phone call from someone in Wisconsin looking for a state-certified translator recognized in Spain to translate some official documents for him. He asked if any of my NOTA members were a “traductor jurado” (sworn translator – thanks to @nj_linguist on Twitter for helping me with the term and its spelling). My first reaction was to tell him no and refer him to the ATA member directory, but then I realized the directory probably didn’t offer a search field for that. At that point I had a flash of brilliance (if I can call it that…). I suggested he contact my former mentor at Kent State and ask her for the names of some KSU graduates living in Spain – and specified one person who I think might best be able to help because he is active in the translation industry in Spain. I knew that from talking with Marian Greenfield several years ago, because she had told me he had said hello when she was invited to speak there.
Networking truly pays off. Maybe not for me in this case, but it feels good to know I was hopefully able to help him and at least point him in the right direction. When he called me he was getting pretty desperate. I hope my past connections – even if I haven’t spoken with them in 15 years – will be able to help him. It’s always a good idea to be able to refer colleagues who might be able to help even if you can’t. They might return the favor some day.
It pays indeed… I am a translator, I am Spanish… but, unfortunately, I am not a certified sworn translator, otherwise you would have had a solution very close at hand 🙂 Still, I could have referred you to some, so there you have it, the six degrees of separation all over the place.
Just kidding. But it is true that networking can be a very valuable source of feedback. Like you say, maybe some day the favour might return to you. 🙂
A sworn translator doesn’t have to be the best choice? Take a mexican in the US – don’t you think he’s better at spanish? 🙂
K Mio