If you come across a word that you're not sure how to translate, what are the steps that you take to figure out the correct translation?

First of all, I look for the meaning of the word in the dictionaries, and then I try google it in the target language in order to be sure that it is correct to use.

Translation is not a type of word to word meaning , this is a writing and communication art, so in my view, we can tranlate the idea not the words.

Consult a professional dictionary

Search it  in a dictionary, encyclopedia, ask an expert, an experienced person, a colleague, a friend, a family member, etc. Be resourceful not genius. 

1: understand the meaning.

2: search or ask an expert .

3: if non of the previous steps worked then try and translate and convey the meaning 

First step: Search.

Second step: Research.

I should look for the meaning from several perspective, and investigate the usage of the word in question and then choose the meaning which is figure the instrument accordingly.    

I have to check with the requester ( author of the letter) and see the meaning of this word in the content of the text. I check also if there is any attachment within the letter to understand the whole text.

I will try to understand the meaning fo the word with-in the structural framework & then submit the translation.  

I will keep reading the hole context and look up for the contextual clues to find out the meaning of the word

First: I will Search for the word in Dictionary Black`s law and find the right word and search again in the Farouqi Dictionary then i figure out the correct translation?