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Cover letter example

Translator cover letter example

Translation agencies and in-house teams read the cover letter as a quality sample. It must be flawless in the target language, show your language pairs and specialisations at once, and explain how you work with terminology and deadlines.

Any error in the letter itself will end the process.

Cover letter example

Replace the parts in brackets with your own details.

Subject: Freelance translator EN/DE > FR, technical documentation

Dear [Vendor Manager Name],

I am a freelance translator working from English and German into French, my native language, and I would like to join [Agency]'s pool of translators for technical and industrial projects. I saw on your website that you work with manufacturers in mechanical engineering and energy, which is my main specialisation.

Over the past [x] years I have translated maintenance manuals, safety instructions, specifications and training materials for equipment manufacturers, mostly through agencies. I work in Trados Studio and memoQ, maintain a termbase for each regular client and run QA checks before delivery. When the source text is unclear, I send grouped questions early rather than guess.

I also handle post-editing of machine translation for a software publisher, which has made me fast at deciding when a sentence can be kept and when it must be rewritten. I can deliver formatted files in InDesign and XML, which saves desktop publishing time.

I am happy to take a test translation in my fields and to send references. My CV is attached.

Kind regards,[First Name Last Name][Phone][Email]

What to highlight

  • Language pairs and direction
  • Specialisations backed by examples of document types
  • CAT tools and file formats you handle
  • Your approach to terminology and revision
  • Availability and typical capacity

Mistakes to avoid

  • Sending a letter in a language that is not your target language without reason.
  • Writing 'I translate everything' instead of naming fields.
  • Forgetting to mention the CAT tools the agency uses.
  • Generic praise of the agency without having looked at its sectors.

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Frequently asked questions

Should I state my rates in the letter?

Agencies usually ask for rates in their application form or after a test. You can mention that you work per word or per hour, but leave precise figures for a separate exchange so the letter stays focused on quality.

Is a test translation normal?

Yes, agencies commonly ask for an unpaid test of a few hundred words. Accept it for agencies you want to work with, and translate it under real conditions, including research and revision.

Should I write to agencies or direct clients first?

Most freelancers start with agencies, which send regular work and handle billing to end clients. Direct clients pay better but expect you to manage the whole project, so they suit translators with a clear specialisation.

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