14 Interpreter Interview Questions (With Example Answers)
It's important to prepare for an interview in order to improve your chances of getting the job. Researching questions beforehand can help you give better answers during the interview. Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various interpreter interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.
Common Interpreter Interview Questions
- What is your first language?
- What languages are you fluent in?
- What is your interpreting experience?
- What is your education and/or training in interpreting?
- Are you a certified interpreter?
- How well do you know the culture(s) of the language(s) you interpret?
- Do you have any specialized knowledge or experience that makes you particularly suited to interpret in certain settings or for certain topics?
- What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful interpreter?
- What do you do to prepare for an interpretation assignment?
- What challenges have you faced while interpreting, and how did you address them?
- Can you provide an example of a particularly successful interpretation you’ve done?
- On the flip side, is there an interpretation you’ve done that didn’t go as well as you’d hoped? What could you have done differently?
- In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing interpreters today?
- Do you have any advice for aspiring interpreters?
What is your first language?
An interviewer would ask "What is your first language?" to a/an Interpreter because it is important to know what language the interpreter is most comfortable with. This will ensure that the interpreter is able to accurately communicate the message to the person being interviewed.
Example: “My first language is English. I grew up in an English-speaking household and attended an English-speaking school. I have always been comfortable communicating in English and have never had any difficulty understanding or expressing myself in the language.”
What languages are you fluent in?
An interviewer would ask "What languages are you fluent in?" to a/an Interpreter because it is important for the Interpreter to be able to communicate with people who speak different languages.
Example: “I am fluent in English, Spanish, and French. I am also proficient in Italian, Portuguese, and Russian.”
What is your interpreting experience?
There are several reasons why an interviewer might ask about an interpreter's experience. First, the interviewer wants to know if the interpreter has the necessary skills and knowledge to do the job. Second, the interviewer wants to know if the interpreter is familiar with the subject matter of the interpretation. Finally, the interviewer wants to know if the interpreter has the necessary experience to handle the interpretation process.
Example: “I have been interpreting for over 10 years. I have experience in a variety of settings, including medical, legal, and business settings. I am comfortable working with both simultaneous and consecutive interpretation.”
What is your education and/or training in interpreting?
This question is important because it allows the interviewer to gauge the interpreter's qualifications and expertise. It also allows the interviewer to determine if the interpreter is familiar with the specific topic or subject matter that will be discussed during the interview.
Example: “I have a bachelor's degree in interpreting from a well-known university. I have also completed a professional training course in interpreting.”
Are you a certified interpreter?
An interviewer would ask "Are you a certified interpreter?" to an Interpreter to ensure that the Interpreter is qualified to do the job. It is important to have a certified interpreter because they have been trained to interpret accurately and effectively.
Example: “Yes, I am a certified interpreter. I have been working as an interpreter for over 10 years and have received my certification from the National Association of the Deaf.”
How well do you know the culture(s) of the language(s) you interpret?
The interviewer is trying to gauge how well the interpreter understands the culture(s) of the language(s) they interpret. This is important because it helps the interviewer determine how accurately the interpreter will be able to communicate the message from one culture to another.
Example: “I am very familiar with the culture(s) of the language(s) I interpret. I have lived in or traveled to the countries where the languages are spoken, and I have studied the cultures extensively. I am able to accurately convey the nuances of the cultures to my clients.”
Do you have any specialized knowledge or experience that makes you particularly suited to interpret in certain settings or for certain topics?
An interpreter may have specialized knowledge or experience in certain settings or topics that makes them particularly suited to interpret in those settings or for those topics. This specialized knowledge or experience can help the interpreter to better understand the context of the situation and to provide more accurate and precise interpretations.
Example: “I am a certified medical interpreter with experience working in hospitals and clinics. I am also proficient in American Sign Language, which makes me well-suited to interpret for deaf or hard-of-hearing patients. In addition, I have extensive experience interpreting for Spanish-speaking patients, which makes me ideal for working in settings where Spanish is the predominant language.”
What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful interpreter?
An interviewer may ask "What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful interpreter?" to an interpreter in order to better understand what qualities the interpreter believes are necessary for success in the role. This can help the interviewer to gauge whether the interpreter is a good fit for the position and whether they have the necessary skills and attributes. Additionally, it can give the interviewer insight into the interpreter's professional development goals and how they plan to improve their interpreting skills.
Example: “There are several qualities that are important for a successful interpreter. First, they must have a strong command of both languages. They must be able to understand the nuances and subtleties of both languages in order to accurately convey the meaning of the original message. Second, they must have excellent listening and memory skills in order to keep up with the fast pace of interpretation. Third, they must be able to think on their feet and be quick-witted in order to handle unexpected situations that may arise during interpretation. Fourth, they must be able to remain calm and professional under pressure. And finally, they must have a deep understanding of culture and etiquette in order to avoid any potential misunderstandings.”
What do you do to prepare for an interpretation assignment?
There are many reasons why an interviewer might ask this question, but one reason is to find out if the interpreter is organized and prepared. It is important for interpreters to be prepared for their assignments because they need to be able to understand the source material and be able to convey that information accurately to the audience.
Example: “I always start by preparing a glossary of terms for the specific subject matter I will be interpreting. This ensures that I have a clear understanding of the terminology being used. I then review any relevant background materials, such as speeches or articles, to get a better understanding of the context in which the interpretation will take place. Finally, I practice my interpretation several times to ensure that I am able to deliver it flawlessly.”
What challenges have you faced while interpreting, and how did you address them?
Interpreters may face a number of challenges while interpreting, such as:
- Difficulty understanding the speaker
- Difficulty conveying the meaning of the speech to the audience
- Time pressure
- Emotional stress
It is important for interpreters to be able to identify and cope with these challenges in order to provide accurate and effective interpretation.
Example: “One of the main challenges I have faced while interpreting is dealing with different accents. This can be difficult to understand what the speaker is saying, especially if they are speaking quickly. I have addressed this by practicing my listening skills and trying to familiarize myself with different accents. Another challenge is dealing with technical jargon or terminology that I am not familiar with. In these cases, I have tried to do some research beforehand so that I am better prepared, or I will ask the speaker to clarify if I need more information.”
Can you provide an example of a particularly successful interpretation you’ve done?
An interviewer might ask this question to get a sense of the interpreter's skills and abilities. It is important to be able to provide an example of a successful interpretation because it shows that the interpreter is capable of effectively communicating between two parties.
Example: “I was once asked to interpret for a business meeting between two companies. Both sides were very pleased with the outcome of the meeting, and they attributed a lot of that success to my interpretation. I was able to effectively convey the meaning of what was being said and helped keep the conversation flowing smoothly.”
On the flip side, is there an interpretation you’ve done that didn’t go as well as you’d hoped? What could you have done differently?
There are several reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to an interpreter. First, it can reveal how the interpreter copes with difficult situations. Second, it can show whether the interpreter is able to learn from mistakes. Third, it can give the interviewer insight into the interpreter's professional and personal values. Finally, it can provide the interviewer with a sense of the interpreter's self-awareness.
Example: “There was one interpretation I did that didn't go as well as I'd hoped. I was interpreting for a meeting between two companies, and there was a lot of technical jargon being used. I didn't have time to prepare beforehand, and as a result, I wasn't able to keep up with the conversation. I could have done a better job if I had taken the time to research the terminology beforehand.”
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing interpreters today?
The interviewer is asking this question to get a sense of the interpreter's views on the challenges facing the profession. It is important to know what the interpreter thinks the challenges are so that the interviewer can gauge whether the interpreter is aware of the challenges and is prepared to address them.
Example: “Some of the biggest challenges facing interpreters today include:
1. Ensuring accuracy and consistency in interpretation
2. Maintaining confidentiality and impartiality
3. Managing work/life balance
4. Keeping up with industry changes and developments”
Do you have any advice for aspiring interpreters?
There are several reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to an interpreter. First, the interpreter may have a lot of experience and knowledge about the field of interpretation, and the interviewer wants to know what advice the interpreter would give to someone who is just starting out. Second, the interviewer may be considering becoming an interpreter himself/herself, and wants to know what advice the interpreter would have. Finally, the interviewer may simply be interested in the interpreter's opinion on the matter.
It is important for interpreters to have a good understanding of the field, as they need to be able to explain complex concepts to people who may not be familiar with them. They also need to be able to keep up with new developments in the field, as interpretation is constantly evolving.
Example: “There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best advice for aspiring interpreters will vary depending on individual circumstances and goals. However, some general tips that may be useful for anyone considering a career in interpretation include:
1. Get plenty of practice interpreting. This can be done through volunteering, internships, or other opportunities to interpret real-world scenarios. The more experience you have, the better prepared you will be when it comes time to tackle professional assignments.
2. Stay up to date on current events and trends. Knowing what is happening in the world will help you be a more informed and effective interpreter.
3. Be flexible and adaptable. Interpreting is a dynamic field, and successful interpreters need to be able to adjust on the fly to new situations and challenges.
4. hone your language skills. The better you know a language, the easier it will be to interpret accurately and effectively.
5. Develop a strong work ethic. Professional interpreters are in high demand, but there is also a lot of competition for jobs. Those who are willing to put in the extra effort to hone their skills and stand out from the crowd are more likely to be successful in the”