Once you receive your 40-hour interpreting training certificate and complete your portfolio, you’re ready to interpret!🤩⁠

You decide to work with an agency and get an offer for your very first assignment and what is the first thing you do?…🤔 Prepare for the encounter, of course! It is the first part of the pre-encounter stage. ⁠

You need to find out the following information:⁠

• Languages and regional dialects requested⁠
• Date, time and length of the session⁠
• Detailed location (for on-site assignments)⁠
• Contact name and details⁠
• Type and topic of the meeting⁠
• Any documents to be used and/or sight translated⁠

If you are covering a remote session, follow the same steps, but you also need to make sure:⁠

• You have a clear understanding of what platform you’re using to connect and that you have a link and troubleshooting instructions⁠
• You are in a HIPPA compliant environment⁠ (and that you have completed your online HIPPA training!)⁠
• Test your internet connection, audio and video⁠
• The camera is positioned at a right angle, with good lighting and a clear and professional background⁠
• Finish your coffee/water, use the bathroom, get your pet and littles out of the office BEFORE you log on 😁⁠
• Connect early⁠!⁠

Whether you’re interpreting onsite or remotely, make sure you look professional and have everything you need such as a notebook for note-taking, water, tissues, etc.⁠

Preparation and more stages of the encounter are covered in The Community Interpreter International (TCII) interpreter training.⁠

For more information on our upcoming training visit our training page or call at ⁠(302) 499-3030.