Got a classic translation offer today:
Rates 60 to 70% below market for absolute amateurs (me being regarded as someone with a "very suitable profile").
Unpaid revision if client isn't satisfied.
Payment at earliest a month and a half after delivery.
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Haven't definitely turned down the offer yet.
Wanted to ask if they're OK with me getting wasted on the job first, since they clearly have no interest in paying for quality work.
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In all seriousness, many industries are in the process of being amateurized, as service providers constantly cut remuneration to "cut costs".
The idea that you need an advanced degree to do X job is, in a lot of industries, essentially client-facing marketing. It's a sham.
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The idea that you can get a trained professional to accept a 75% pay cut is, mostly, complete BS.
Instead, you get a bunch of university students to do work they aren't qualified for, then drag the market rate down over time with whatever exploitative pay they'll accept.
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I don't know how many industries this is true for, but if you can do translation, copywriting etc., and you're looking for a job:
Just ignore whatever qualifications the ad asks for. Chances are, they're looking for someone willing to be paid a lot less than those candidates.
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Considering I'm currently employed in a different industry, also with no qualifications, this is probably true in a lot of contexts.
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If you want well-paid work in one of the affected industries, chances are you need to do one of these things:
- Go freelance AND get really good at marketing your services
or
- Sign with some official entity that delivers categorically high pay
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Neither is my method. I went with
- Go freelance AND muddle through AND rely on weird luck and/or negotiation skills
Probably not a best practice. I'm considering revising it for myself, too.