What kind of professional background should one have before starting work as a professional translator?

The first thing I tell people who want to know how to become a translator is to get some sort of accreditation or certification. Having credentials provides documentation that you have the skills required to translate or interpret professionally. Many universities offer advanced degrees and professional certifications in translation, and we have a separate post dedicated to the subject: Top U.S. Translation Schools. Want to be a translator? The American Translator’s Association offers certification programs for translators. Want to be a judicial or medical interpreter? Organizations such as the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators and theInternational Medical Interpreters Association offer certifications as well. Finally, check to see if your state offers accreditation programs for translators / interpreters. Being certified through one of these organizations is also helpful because you will be listed on their website directories, where potential clients requiring your services can find you. Overall, certification may not be required to be a successful translator or interpreter, but if you’re starting out in this industry, it is the best place to start.

Another resume builder is to take language proficiency tests such as the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) or other language proficiency tests to show potential clients that you are indeed fluent in your specific language.Shameless Plug Alert: we also offer language proficiency tests and DLPT training here at ALTA.

The next step is to gain experience. All of us have had to start out doing internships or working entry-level jobs in order to climb the ladder, and the language industry is no exception. If you’re enrolled at or live near a college, take classes in translation / interpreting and look for opportunities to perform translation or interpreting work on campus for various departments. It is crucial to get experience where you can show samples of your work to potential clients and get recommendations.

After getting credentials and some experience, it’s time to market yourself to law firms, police stations, hospitals, government agencies, and language agencies that may need translators or interpreters in your area. Most translators / interpreters work for clients on a contract basis, not as full time employees. A great way to market your services is to start a website or blog and join the active community of online language professionals. Also, make sure you have your resume and rates ready! The best indicator that an aspiring translator or interpreter is not a professional is when they have no idea what their rates should be! If you don’t know what rates to charge, call other interpreters and translators and find out what theirs are.

As you progress as a translator / interpreter, there are other areas to consider as well. What specialized industry or industries can you translate or interpret for? Do you keep up with industry terms and trends? Are you computer savvy and knowledgeable regarding translation memory software? Can you provide simultaneous as well as consecutive interpreting? If you have had success as a translator, maybe you could consider diversifying and becoming a certified court or medical interpreter. Overall I hope I have not discouraged anyone from becoming a translator or interpreter. My purpose here is to provide a helpful guide to entering this highly competitive industry. Below are some links to articles about what it’s like to be a professional translator, and the paths others have taken to success. Good luck!

In my opinion you must be a certified specialist with a university degree, then an interest to learn (to improve your source and target languages), as I think a professional translator-interpreter must do the following:

- Read extensively in those languages you translate from/to.

- Pay attention to the news in all your working languages.

- Take steps to make yourself a more knowledgeable and well-rounded person.

- Spend time abroad (intercultural communication is the key to understand more including slang, proverbs, etc... ).

- Develop your writing, research, analysis, and public speaking skills (for interpreters).

- Get computer savvy.

And that would be it!

A professional translator must pass through the experience of translating first and using the dictionary a lot , not less than ten years in a field. And that is why not all translators are professionals , most of them are just trying to give an interpretation of the target texts. NO EXPERIENCE means NO PROFESSIONALISM. 

he must have had some kind of info background or some experience working or being exposed to the targeted profession 

In my vision there are some basic keys before starting work as a professional translator, you should be well aware of the language, communication & culture skills.

 First, gather all the elements that make up the complete translation project. For example, when translating a technical manual make sure to include the binder cover, index tabs, registration cards, or any other items that will be used together.

The translator must understand the interaction between all the elements and translate them as a unified whole. Your translator must understand your overseas audience's lifestyle, psychological make-up, and buying habits as thoroughly.

I think understanding both languages is very important besides deeply knowledge in cultures of the target language is extremely necessary to express the meaning exactly as native intend 

it is all about knowledge and how to be professional in your work an always know the updates in this filed

So, if you read my previous post you’ll know that I was in a pretty bad situation two and a half years ago; I had no job or money, my long-term career plan was destroyed and I was going to Canada with no working visa in hand. This forced me to consider online-based work.

A professional translator should have knowledge of the translation problems and strategies in order to deal with them

The professional background should one have before starting work as a professional translator is professional translator background.

In short, TEACHING. 

                                     You teach and learn from their mistakes and yous at the same time.