Benefits

What are the benefits of working with SDL as a freelancer?

Our extensive resources, experience and professionalism are just some of the many plus points of working with SDL - one of the World's leading suppliers of localization services to the IT, engineering, e-business & Multimedia sectors. In addition, SDL's registered freelance translators are guaranteed entry on the SDL Vendor Database, accessed by more than 350 project managers and linguists throughout the world-wide SDL group.

We could have written many things about the advantages of working with SDL International but what better than direct feedback from current freelance translators on the Vendor Database. This will enable you to see just how we build up our partnership with external resources in the middle and long terms.

SDL has been one of my main clients since 2005. I do all sorts of translation work for them, mainly in the areas of IT and marketing, from small jobs of less than 1,000 words to larger projects that last for a month or more. The team are very familiar with my specialist subject areas and I’m never asked to translate anything that I wouldn’t feel comfortable with. Many of the project managers have been there ever since I started working with SDL and we’ve always had a very good working relationship. Deadlines are always reasonable and I’m never expected to perform tasks that fall outside the scope of my work as a translator – files are prepared for translation and reference material is provided along with clear instructions. This helps me do a better job as a translator. It’s clear that quality is very important to SDL. They give me feedback on a regular basis, which is surprisingly rare in this business and of course always appreciated.

JJ – Freelancer working with SDL since 2005

I started working as a freelance translator for SDL in February 2011 and received my first assignment shortly thereafter. SDL’s processes have always worked well - POs are issued in a timely manner and the project managers respond promptly to queries or comments. There have never been any doubts about when, what or how I’m expected to deliver a translation. I definitely rank SDL among my favourite clients – because I can concentrate on translation without worrying about technical or administrative issues.

PC – Freelancer working with SDL since 2011

To me, working with SDL has always been rewarding. As a partner they are professional, reliable and well organized. Working for SDL as a freelance translator means being well integrated in their working team of project managers, proofreaders and translators. Communication is always smooth - I can contact them for questions at any time during the translation and always get answers without delay. They in turn provide me with feedback and comments. This helps to promote high quality, which is always a top priority when working with SDL, making cooperation a more rewarding experience. Their planning is always good and instructions are clear. Through an online vendor portal I have constant access to a clear overview of all my projects, deadlines and purchase orders, past as well as present. All in all, working with SDL is smooth, rewarding and stimulating, making them an ideal partner for a freelance translator.

AB – Freelancer working with SDL since 2010

Working as a freelancer for SDL has been a great pleasure. I had the opportunity to spend some time in the SDL office getting to know the translation tools and the outstanding, quality-oriented translation team they have. All projects are very well managed and we get feedback so we can continuously improve on quality and client satisfaction. All questions are always answered, and suggestions are always heard and duly considered. Because of this, even though I work from my home office some 400km from the main office, I feel part of their in-house team. I have had great opportunities and was faced with challenging jobs that have definitely added to my work experience and have been truly rewarding to my career as a translator, all as a result of the mutual trust between SDL and me.

TN – Freelancer working with SDL since 2008

I’ve been working for SDL since 1998. What I most appreciate about SDL is that they really value their freelance translators and they have a strong focus on delivering high quality jobs to their clients. They try to assign you projects that suit your profile. The end client benefits from the expertise of dedicated translators/project managers who perform a great job, and the translator is also happy with the recognition for his good work, with this long-term, friendly relationship and with his high productivity, enhanced when the subject is one with which they are very familiar, and SDL delivers a high quality service to its end clients, which is the most important thing of all. So, I would wholeheartedly recommend SDL. This has been a great partnership for me and I hope it stays this way for many years to come.

GA – Freelancer working with SDL since 1998

To work with SDL is always a pleasure: they are nice people to talk to, their project teams are highly skilled, very professional and cooperative. Any problems that arise during the course of a project are dealt with and taken into account.

US – Freelancer working with SDL since 2002

We have been working with SDL since about 1995 and the relationship with the company has always been excellent. We have been working in collaboration with their very professional and pleasant project managers, who are always available to discuss the project planning, help us with the project setup, and support us in problem-solving, quickly and effectively. Instructions about the projects have always been clear and unambiguous, with precise deadline details and strong support in the event of any problems arising.

NG – Freelancer working with SDL since 1995

I have always found SDL to be courteous and fair-minded. The projects are usually well suited to my specific domain and deadlines and deliverables are indicated clearly and without ambiguity. I always know who the project managers and language co-ordinators are and they in turn generally know in which projects I have been involved in the past, thus allowing for a continuous relationship to be built. It is nice to deal with people you are familiar with and this also helps to solve problems quickly and efficiently.Purchase orders are most of the time handed over at the beginning or shortly after a project and consequent payments are made punctually. Generally speaking, SDL treats its freelance translators with regard to their needs and demands and recognition of their skills.

SR – Freelancer working with SDL since 1998

I have collaborated with SDL since the beginning of this year and I must say that this company really cares for their freelance translators.

PL – Freelancer working with SDL since 2011