Wordfast

Term from Translation industry explained for recruiters

Wordfast is a popular software tool that helps translators work more efficiently. It's what's known as a Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tool, which means it helps translators remember and reuse their previous translations, maintain consistency in terminology, and work faster overall. Think of it like a very smart word processor specifically designed for translators. It's similar to other tools like SDL Trados or memoQ, and it's particularly popular because it's more affordable and easier to learn than some alternatives. When you see Wordfast mentioned in a resume, it indicates that the candidate knows how to use professional translation technology.

Examples in Resumes

Translated over 100,000 words of technical documentation using Wordfast

Increased translation productivity by 40% through effective use of Wordfast and its translation memory features

Managed large-scale localization projects with Wordfast and Wordfast Pro

Typical job title: "Translators"

Also try searching for:

Translator Localization Specialist Translation Project Manager Linguistic Engineer Language Specialist Technical Translator Translation Coordinator

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you handle a large translation project with multiple translators using Wordfast?

Expected Answer: A senior translator should discuss project setup, terminology management, translation memory sharing, quality control processes, and how to maintain consistency across multiple translators.

Q: How do you ensure terminology consistency in large projects?

Expected Answer: Should explain using Wordfast's glossary features, creating and managing term bases, and implementing quality checks to maintain consistent terminology throughout projects.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What are the advantages of using translation memory in Wordfast?

Expected Answer: Should explain how translation memory saves time by reusing previous translations, ensures consistency, and helps maintain quality across similar content.

Q: How do you handle file formatting issues in Wordfast?

Expected Answer: Should discuss handling different file formats, maintaining original formatting, and troubleshooting common formatting problems during translation.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic features of Wordfast you use most often?

Expected Answer: Should be able to describe basic translation memory usage, segment navigation, and simple project setup in Wordfast.

Q: How do you start a new translation project in Wordfast?

Expected Answer: Should explain the basic steps of creating a new project, selecting source and target languages, and beginning translation work.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic Wordfast navigation and features
  • Simple document translation
  • Use of existing translation memories
  • Basic terminology management

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Efficient use of translation memories
  • Advanced terminology management
  • Multiple file format handling
  • Quality assurance procedures

Senior (5+ years)

  • Large project management
  • Team coordination
  • Advanced quality control
  • Translation memory maintenance and optimization

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No experience with any CAT tools
  • Unable to explain basic translation memory concepts
  • No knowledge of file format handling
  • Lack of quality control process understanding