I think this is a problem we all have.

To hear from outsourcers how they choose among several translators, which factors weigh most in the decision.

I am sharing a few Quotation headers that have yielded positive results. I am interested in other translators' successful "strategies" have been, and whether other outsourcers would necessarily have responded well to the examples below: 1. "Immediately available" as a Quotation header + short sample translation has worked for me. Oursourcer said that he/she liked my sample translation the best. But I do believe that price (lower end of my rate range) and availability played a part. 2. Location is sometimes important: 2 jobs obtained using the line "I grew up in that part of the world, so am familiar with xyz". (Middle of my rate range, one was with 300+ word sample text after initial screening.) 3. If all else fails, utter honesty: (a) "I mentally edit xyz brochures all the time" (Low rate, but great collaboration with outsourcer); or, (b) "I have worked with [Organisation 1] and translated [Organisation 2 + specialisation] documents I would also urge agencies and outsourcers to use the "Submit through ProZ" option, so that translators can used the "Submit Quote" button. It makes the translator's job easier, and makes the agency's/oursourcer's job easier when accepting or declining quotations.

+1 to Martin Riordan: "To hear from outsourcers how they choose among several translators, which factors weigh most in the decision."

It would be nice to get an idea on how much information we should ad to our bid to be still interesting.

If our bid is not the choosen one, how do we get to know why we were not selected? How do we get feedback?

I also want to hear from the outsoucers what is the criteria they use to choose the translators.Even now I´haven´t done any translation through proZ.I´be been my particular ones , mainly in the field of chemistry,but Iwould like wide it through this site.

what outsourcers prefer: short & concise or more detailed CVs?

I would also like to know about the outsourcers' criteria to choose translators. Especially about rates, if a low rate reflects to the outsourcer's eyes a low quality translation.

I am now in the process of getting my ProZ profile and references completed and updated to reflect my qualifications in the best way possible, before applying online for translation jobs. Hearing from outsources and colleagues about details on this topic will be of great help for me.

Sometimes I do not know what to do after applying for a job. I would like to know what should I do after I submit my CV.

I would like to know the do's and don't's in order to attract clients, the common mistakes, slipups and some tips too.

How is it possible that, after so many years at Proz.com, with a complete profile, an extensively detailed CV and project history, I have hardly been contacted through this means? I've been working on a freelance basis since 2002 for major (really major) pharmaceutical companies, but always by my own means. According to customers, I am a reliable translator, I offer reasonable rates and I work fast and team-minded. But outsourcers via Proz contacted me only 2x long after their initial bid (please consider that I have submitted many, many, many quotations). I am almost sure that rates are the key, and fear that low-rate offerers always win. What do you think about this situation? Do you also think that far-too low rates prevent us from being chosen by translation agencies?

Hi, can you tell us what would be the 3 top most important issues to attract the client's attention