• Recruiters can’t tell which language combinations you master
• ATS keywords for language pairs are omitted, reducing match rate
• Clients may assume you lack the required expertise

• Create a dedicated "Languages" section
• List each language pair with proficiency level (e.g., English → Spanish, native)
• Include relevant certifications (e.g., ATA, DELE)

Languages: English, Spanish, French

Languages: - English → Spanish (Native) – Certified ATA - English → French (Professional) – DELF B2

• “Translator” alone blends with hundreds of candidates
• Hiring managers miss niche expertise (e.g., legal, medical)
• ATS may not match specialized keywords

• Replace generic titles with specific ones (e.g., "Legal Translator – English/Spanish")
• Add a subtitle that highlights industry focus

Professional Experience Translator, XYZ Agency, 2018‑Present

Professional Experience Legal Translator – English/Spanish, XYZ Agency, 2018‑Present

• Recruiters skim for results, not responsibilities
• ATS scores lower when bullet points lack action verbs and metrics
• You appear as a task‑doer rather than a value‑adder

• Start each bullet with a strong verb
• Quantify results (e.g., words translated, turnaround time)
• Show impact on client satisfaction or revenue

- Translated documents for clients. - Managed translation workflow.

- Delivered 150,000+ words of legal contracts per quarter with 99.8% accuracy, reducing client revision time by 30%. - Streamlined workflow by implementing memoQ, cutting project turnaround by 20%.

• Hiring managers look for tool proficiency quickly
• ATS may miss tool names if buried in paragraphs
• Lack of clarity suggests limited tech skills

• Create a separate "Tools & Technologies" section
• List each tool with proficiency level (e.g., Advanced)
• Mention tools within achievement bullets when relevant

Experienced with CAT tools. Used SDL Trados occasionally.

Tools & Technologies: - SDL Trados Studio – Advanced (used for 3+ years, 200+ projects) - memoQ – Proficient (implemented workflow automation)

• Clutters the resume and distracts from core translation skills
• ATS weight drops when irrelevant keywords dominate
• Recruiters may question your career focus

• Remove jobs that don’t showcase language or translation work
• If kept, frame them to highlight transferable skills (e.g., communication, research)
• Keep the resume to 1‑2 pages focused on translation

Sales Associate, Retail Store, 2015‑2017 - Assisted customers with purchases. - Managed inventory.

Freelance Content Editor, 2015‑2017 - Edited multilingual marketing copy, sharpening attention to nuance and terminology—skills directly applicable to translation quality control.