How to Hire An Interpreter

Sometimes people who are searching for interpreters have the impression that there are very few of them around. Most of NorCRID's members are working interpreters in the Bay Area and Northern California. A helpful analogy is to think of interpreters like the roads in our area. Most of the time, there are plenty of lanes to go around, but that is not the case during peak traffic times and rush hour.

Hiring an interpreter can seem expensive. Interpreters earn a living from their work just like other professionals. We have families and partners and children and homes just like you do. In addition, unless interpreters are staff interpreters, they pay their own health insurance and self-employment (employer) taxes, fund their own retirement plans, and spend more money on their cars than people who have a regular and predictable commute.

Here are a few tips to improve your chances of successfully hiring the right interpreters when you need them:

• Call about two weeks in advance of your meeting. Call as far ahead as you can for meetings, medical appointments and special events. Planners often forget about or overlook the need for interpreters. Calling at the last minute, or even 3 or 4 days ahead, may result in disappointment.

• Try to be flexible when scheduling meetings and appointments. We may be available at a slightly different hour or on another day.

• Establish ongoing relationships with individual professionals. Interpreters who work with you regularly will try to accommodate you.

• Treat interpreters like professionals. Interpreters who enjoy working with you will try to make their schedules fit your schedule. Know when you need to hire interpreters in teams.

• Choose an agency service provider and work with their staff to anticipate busy times when the demand for interpreters is high both during the day and by season.

• Pay interpreters on time and according to local standards. You should pay for mileage and parking. You might consider paying travel time in the Bay Area if getting to your place of business or your event is difficult.

• Create a staff position if you have ongoing communication needs.

To learn more about selecting an interpreter click here.