LOCRE RUITER MAY - JUL 2019
YOUR INDUSTRY NEWSLETTER INSIDE: The industry's top earning roles Funniest reasons for NOT taking a job! How's Technology changed the industry? Interview with Lilt's Roberto Sastre Are PMs just cogs in the production machine? Work with Adaptive PLUS: The hottest jobs on the market across the globe
WELCOME TO THE LATEST
LOCRE RUITER Welcome back to LocRecruiter, brought to you by Adaptive Globalization. A newsletter focused on the topics of career development and recruitment in the industry, both from the employer and employee perspective.
It seems we're always saying 'it's been a busy quarter', but I just think that's the language localization market as a whole. As we reshape the whole digital and offline content creation industry, in the current market, language services has seen growth of 5% since 2016 (Market Reporter). It just highlights how important LS is in the modern world, and how the work we are doing together is
Published quarterly, this
helping shape the future. I'm
publication is a new forum for
excited to see how the next few
news, issues and hot topics,
months pan out, we're certainly
straight from the sales team here
busy here at Adaptive and hope
at Adaptive.
you enjoy the coming pages.
David James David James CEO Adaptive Business Group
ADAPTIVE GLOBALIZATION'S
HOT EUROPEAN JOBS
Dutch Translator (Gaming) – Dublin, Ireland – €30,000 + relocation Business Development Manager – Munich, Germany – up to €55,000 Senior Italian Linguist – Amsterdam – €2,500 - €3,300/month + bonus Project Manager (Italian & German speaker) – Italy – €32,000 + benefits German-English Medical Translator – Mannheim, Germany – €50,000+ Italian Language Lead – Northwest Italy – €30,000 Sales Manager – Milan, Italy – €70,000 + commission and benefits To explore job opportunities, visit our website or get in touch with our recruitment team: info@adaptiveglobalization.com
THE TRANSLATION INDUSTRY’S TOP-EARNING CAREER PATHS ADAPTIVE’S RECRUITERS ARE OFTEN ASKED BY CANDIDATES HOW THEY CAN BUILD
THEIR CAREERS TO RAISE THEIR MARKET VALUE AND EARNINGS. HERE WE SHARE OUR
MAP OF THE PATHS WHICH LEAD TO SOME OF THE TOP-PAYING ROLES IN THE GLOBAL
LANGUAGE SERVICES INDUSTRY.
First things first - you don’t have to be a salesperson to make big bucks. Often when Adaptive is approached by candidates looking to up their earnings in the language services industry, there’s an expectation that only the high-flying BDM's and Csuite management are making top money. After all, BDM's are on commission plans and signing big customer deals can be very lucrative. And it’s true – top BDM's and Sales Managers can be making as much as anyone on this list.
So here we go - four routes to
hiring, account management
top-paying roles if cold calling
and ensure that their
isn’t your thing:
company’s service offering
1. BUSINESS UNIT LEADERSHIP Broad-ranging VP titles usually
continues to be competitive and evolve with the market.
Start Point: Project Manager, Account Manager, BDM
signify a role that is a mix of client relations, operations and
Key Skill: Ability to combine
specific expertise in a particular
rounded business skills with
area. Professionals in these
deep subject-matter
positions are in charge of
expertise
‘business units’ which operate like mini-companies within the larger organization, focused on
Salary Range: $100k -$160k / £80k - 100k / €85k - 120k
one specific area – such as services to the Life Sciences market or engineering services. This means the VP’s responsibility is wide, often covering a
2. INTERNAL TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT
But they’re not the only people
separate profit and loss account
with strong pay packages in
for their unit. VPs leading these
At the highest level,
the industry. In fact, we’ve left
areas can come from a variety of
technology managers need
sales out of our list below to
backgrounds, but have often
to be more than just experts
offer alternate options to
worked their way up an internal
in localization workflows.
translation and localization
hierarchy where their increasing
They lead to areas such as
industry professionals looking
experience makes them more
networking, security,
to build their careers.
and more valuable. They head up
compliance, training,
technology change
customers and versatile
and are well versed in CAT
management, data recovery
operational skills – organization,
tools, but also work to
and more. Their focus is on the
planning, financial
develop strong client
role technology plays in helping
management and personnel
relationship skills throughout
the company reach strategic
leadership. As operations
their careers. Often
goals and impacting overall
candidates move up the career
professionals in this space
P&L. Localization career paths
ladder, they broaden their
work on the client side for at
typically go from specialist to
generalist business skills and
least a few years, building
generalist with candidates
combine them with their expert
inside knowledge from the
building a base in CAT tools,
knowledge of localization
buyer perspective.
internal and client workflows
processes to eventually step up
At the top of the tree, Global
and then rounding out
and take overall responsibility.
Managers for solutions teams
generalist IT competencies to
build some of the most
Start Point: Project Manager,
advanced workflows in
QA Manager
commercial localization.
Specialist, Localization
Key Skill: Ability to design and
Start Point: Localization
Technology Manager,
maintain efficient teams and
Engineer, CAT Tools
Localization Engineer
workflows to deliver reliably
Specialist, Project Manager,
and profitably for customers
Account Manager
Salary Range: $120k - $150k / £90k - £120k / €95k - 130k
Salary Range: $130k -$150k / £100k - £120k / €100k - €130k
4. CLIENT SOLUTIONS DEVELOPMENT
Key Skill: Ability to think
continue progressing.
Start Point: CAT Tools
Key Skill: Ability to visualize and implement technology changes which make high-value improvements to the global organization
Salary Range: $120k-$180k / £95k - £140k / €100k-€150k
3. OPERATIONS & GENERAL MANAGEMENT
creatively to create unique technology-based workflow solutions
A specialist team within most LSPs, solutions professionals
***
focus on bridging the gap between sales, production and
Adaptive Globalization
IT. Their focus is building
recruits within the translation,
A great goal for Project
creative solutions for
localization and language
Managers! Many of the
prospective and existing
technology sectors from
industry’s top-paid professionals
customers, which involves
entry-level to VP+.
in operations (production)
customizing, integrating and
leadership started ‘in the
potentially selecting new tools
You can check out Adaptive
trenches’ as PM's. Growth in this
to bring together clients’
Globalization’s vacancies for
career channel comes from
existing technology systems
PMs, Account Managers, Loc
deep first-hand knowledge of
and those used by the LSP.
Engineers, BDMs and more in
internal workflows, aptitude for
Many client solutions experts
our job listings here.
working directly with key
get their start in engineering
***
ADAPTIVE GLOBALIZATION'S
HOT UK JOBS
German Transcreation Account Manager: London UK – £32k + benefits Business Development Manager: London - up to €55k + commission Sales Director UK: London - up to £70,000 + commission Business Development Manager: remote-based role - £60k + commission Senior Project Manager: London - £30,000 + benefits
Localization Assistant (native Chinese): Cambridge - £22,000 per year (gross) bas To explore job opportunities, visit our website or get in touch ***with our recruitment team: info@adaptiveglobalization.com
IS TECH CHANGING THE WORLD OF TRANSLATION? With companies like Lilt coming from the incubation of Google, being built by Google Researchers, we wanted to find out how much it has changed the face of the industry and what it might in the future. So Adaptive Globalization's UK Language Services Recruitment Director, Alex Ross-Scott, sat down with Roberto Sastre - Head of Revenue EMEA at the company.
HOW IS TECHNOLOGY CHANGING
THE LANGUAGE SERVICES INDUSTRY Lilt was started by John DeNero and Spence Green, because they believed that a person’s native language shouldn’t limit their ability to learn, grow, and support themselves. Using consumer tools, such as Google Translate, technology has empowered people to pull translated information on demand. Of course, they offer no quality guarantee, but that is an acceptable compromise given the speed and convenience benefits. With this, you can't help but think how important the everchanging technology is to our industry - and how it can change the face of Language Services further. We sat down with Roberto Sastre, who has seen it all - since starting in the industry almost 30 years ago.
AR-S: Roberto, firstly, thanks so much for your time - it's always great to catch up. First and foremost, let me ask you how you managed to end up in the world of translation and localization?
RS: My pleasure, Alex! It was by accident, to be
Roberto Sastre (above)
honest, like most people. I studied Computer Science and learned programming got speaking with a recruiter about my next move. At the time
and from there I just managed to find myself in the business!
there was positions available in several multinationals like Microsoft & Intel setting up in Ireland, having the language fluency for several languages coupled with the technology
AR-S: So, you've been in the game for around 30 years now - in that time - what has been the biggest change you've noticed?
background opened up the opportunities for me in the localization industry.
RS: Technology is always the big disrupter in the industry, first with CAT tools, Terminology
AR-S: So when was that, when did you start out?
Management systems, workflow systems called Translation Management Systems (TMS), MT
RS: Wow, that was back in 1990. I started out talking to a startup called Softrans that was doing translations, they asked if I would take a position as a Project Manager, which sounded exactly like the Programme Management job I was looking for but now I know it's very different
always evolving in the background (Rule Based, then Statistical, now Neural) every new technology development brings changes to the industry, the way we work, the economic and operational models impact the different stakeholders every time.
AR-S: Do you see tech changing the industry further and, if so, how?
RS: The pace at which technology is changing is exponentially exhilarating; especially with the new development in AI and Deep Machine Learning, Voice Recognition and Predictive
AR-S: How will AI and Neural
older it is, or disconnected the
Translation. These are now part
Machine Translation disrupt
more hard it is to keep up with
of the industry and early
the industry?
the pace.
adaptors are reaping the
benefits.
RS: It already has! AI
New companies with the latest
algorithms are being
technology do not have these
AR-S: Have all of those things, AI,
specifically developed for the
barriers and provide customers,
Voice Recognition, Predictive
industry that enables NMT to
and localisation professionals the
Translation, changed the role of
work with Translators in real
most productive working
a translator on a daily basis?
time, exponentially increasing
environment.
productivity and reducing
RS: Not always for the better, as
costs to achieve high quality
AR-S: And finally, what attracted
many companies are adopting a
translation to human
you to joining Lilt?
MTPE model (Machine
standards
Translation & Post Editing) which
RS: I knew AI was going to
is not a working environment
Three KPI’s that the industry
change the industry and wanted
favoured by most translators,
always is measured against
to join a company which is at the
specially if they do not want to
and now its achievable at very
forefront of it in terms of
work as a quality reviewer, or
high levels.
research and development
editor.
offering services powered by the AR-S: With the use of
latest technology.
It stifles the work environment
technology, what are the
and lowers the translators take
biggest challenges for Project
home pay and in many cases
Managers and operations in
drives them out of the industry.
general? We're going to touch
Adaptive Globalization recruits
Thankfully new models such as
on PM's a bit later on in
within the translation,
Predictive Translation, and
LocRecruiter so, for me, this is
localization and language
Adaptive Machine Learning
quite an important question.
technology sectors.
works and learns from the human
translator who is in control and
RS: Change is the big
You can check out Adaptive
working with the technology not
challenge, the more
Globalization’s vacancies in our
for it.
technology you have, the
job listings here.
***
REJECT JOB OFFER
8 OF THE STRANGEST REASONS FOR REJECTING A JOB As recruiters we sometimes are faced with bizarre reasons for candidates not to accept a role, most of the time it's a push-back on the normal bits and bobs (salary, location, commute time, etc.) but every now and then we see an excuse which raises an eyebrow or two...
ADAPTIVE TOP 8 REASONS FOR REJECTING A JOB
8 "Seems too fun..."
One candidate once got to the final stages, going through two interviews in the office and meeting the team, but that's when they decided the role wasn't for them. They said the company culture was too friendly, and the team seemed like they had a bit too much fun...
7
"I thought I saw a rat"
in an interview and claimed that
6 "It's too cold"
the company had a rodent issue!
Are you one of those people who is
Fairly self explanatory, they were
ALWAYS cold? Or do you hate office politics regarding the A/C? This candidate was, they were a little chilly during the interview.
5 "The office is haunted..." Some people see the supernatural and a client once told us that they'd been rejected because of an alleged ghost amongst the sales floor. No further reports of spooky goings-on have been made.
4
"I had a bad dream about taking the job"
Superstitious? Apparently this potential candidate said they had a bit of a nightmare (literally) surrounding taking the job, so they thought that was reason enough to decline a second interview.
3
"My family told me not to"
The relocation was too far away from this person's family, and they said they were going to miss them too much...
2 1
"I didn't like the smell" Sometimes it can get a bit potent if everyone's using the microwave and eating at their desks!
"I saw my ex nearby, can't risk it!" Our favourite. Apparently on the way back from the interview a candidate saw their ex-partner strolling by, and they decided that an awkward encounter was too risky.
Have you heard a better one? Perhaps you have an idea for our next Top 10! Let us know: marketing@adaptivebusinessgroup.com
ADAPTIVE GLOBALIZATION'S HOT
USA JOBS
Transcreation Project Manager: Los Angeles - $50,000-$60,000
Globalization Solutions Architect: Seattle – $90,000-$120,000
AVP AI Enablement: Seattle - $100,000-$130,000 base
Strategic Accounts Director: San Francisco – $90,000-$100,000 + commission
Localization Project Manager - LATAM:
Buenos Aries , Argentina - up to
$30,000
Business Development Manager: Chicago
- $80,000-$90,000 + Commission
To explore job opportunities, visit our website or get in touch with our recruitment team: info@adaptiveglobalization.com
TRANSLATION & LOCALIZATION PMS - JUST COGS IN THE PRODUCTION MACHINE? ASK TWENTY PEOPLE IN THE LANGUAGES INDUSTRY WHAT THE ROLE OF A PROJECT
MANAGER IS AND YOU’LL GET TWENTY DIFFERENT ANSWERS - BUT WE WANTED TO KNOW
-
ARE PMS JUST COGS IN THE PRODUCTION MACHINE?
Ask twenty people in the languages industry what the role of a Project Manager is and you’ll get twenty different answers. In the eyes of some, they are the beating heart of a language agency - the problem-solvers and miracle-workers who endure exhausting schedules to satisfy outrageously demanding clients and deliver against impossible deadlines. Others hold a different view.
placing Project Managers with
translation projects to a
agencies of all shapes and sizes
group of pre-qualified
have helped us form our own
translators, while another is
perspective.
masterminding the delivery of a multi-million-dollar
So, are PMs just cogs in the production machine?
WHAT'S IN A NAME? To begin with, ‘Project Manager’ is a very broad term for a diverse
localization program and guiding demanding, expert clients through complex project cycles.
KEY CUSTOMER LINKS
industry sector, and at times it
Although it’s the BDMs who
can almost seem a total misfit
usually hunt for new business
with what the role can include.
and introduce new clients to
PMs hold very different
language agencies, PMs can
responsibilities from one
have a vital role to play in
company to the next.
the retention and growth of these accounts once they’re
For them, PMs are replaceable
Depending on where you work –
parts in a production engine,
a major agency with thousands
which can be swapped out or
of employees across a sprawling
PMs are usually entirely
re-organized without much
global office structure or a 10-
separate from sales in most
thought or impact.
person regional LSP – life can be
people’s minds, and seldom
very different.
earn any kind of commission,
Our experience of recruiting
on board.
but they can have a big
within the translation and
One ‘PM’ can spend their day
impact on how long
localization industry and
quietly assigning document
customers remain with an
SCOPE OF SKILLS
competency with tools. A senior
project management staff
PM is a key production asset
are extremely high.
As well as their degree of client
and likely to be involved in
interaction, PM roles can also
training and mentoring of
Conversely, agencies who
vary hugely when you add in
peers.
fail to place the same value on both PM selection and
elements like technology, vertical market specialism or
In other LSPs, however, ‘senior’
development tend to
project type.
may just reflect the fact that
struggle to build high-
someone has remained in the
performing companies in the
Some LSPs define PM roles
role for a certain time-frame
long term.
tightly, keeping them focused
and earned promotion through
on a core set of administrative
longevity – perhaps without
So, while structurally PMs
responsibilities while dividing
developing the value-add skills
may be positioned at the
other production areas across
of client management or
centre of the production
separate teams or outsourcing
building a strong technology
engine, in our view they’re far
partners.
skill set.
from being interchangeable cogs.
Other agencies develop and train PMs to be multi-skilled mini
With so much complexity... what do we think?
That engine powers the LSP, and great project managers
production units, equipped with hands-on skills in anything from
Based on our years working
can help set the course for
MT to DTP and able to handle
with project management
the long-term success of any
whatever a client throws at
professionals all across the
language agency.
them.
translation and localization industry, we firmly believe that
What do you think, are PMs
PMs working in this set up can
PMs can be of critical
just cogs in a machine?
be highly creative problem-
importance to LSP success, and
solvers who use their range of
the hiring and training of a PM
skills to come up with ways to
team should be done with every
deliver for clients under tight
bit as much care and strategy
deadlines or with limited
as an appointment to any other
resources.
department, including sales.
You can check out Adaptive
At Adaptive, our experience
Globalization’s global list of
backs this up – the most
Project Management
demanding language agencies
vacancies in our job listings
we support with project
here.
WHAT MAKES YOU 'SENIOR’? In some agencies, being
management recruitment are
awarded the title ‘Senior Project
the ones who are among the
Manager’ shows that you’ve
fastest-growing in the industry.
achieved outstanding results, worked above and beyond to
They focus on quality at every
keep clients happy and (usually)
level of their hierarchy, and
developed a high degree of
their standards for selecting
***
***
ADAPTIVE BUSINESS GROUP
WE'RE HIRING!
Our team is growing - check out some of our exciting roles across the globe!
ADAPTIVE DIGITAL Recruitment Executive
Specialising in Digital Marketing recruitment. 1x role in Tunbridge Wells, UK & 2x in Berlin, DE
Recruitment Executive Recruitment Consultant Senior Consultant
Depending on experience: Specialising in Digital Marketing recruitment: New York, US
ADAPTIVE GLOBALIZATION Recruitment Executive
Depending on experience: Specialising in Translation & Localization recruitment New York, US
ADAPTIVE TECH Recruitment Executive
Specialising in Software Sales recruitment across different verticals in Berlin, Germany
Recruitment Executive Recruitment Consultant Senior Consultant
Depending on experience: Specialising in Software Sales recruitment across different verticals New York, US
Recruitment Executive Recruitment Consultant Senior Consultant
Depending on experience: Specialising in Software Sales recruitment across different verticals San Diego, US
If you're interested in any of these roles please contact: geraldine.persand@adaptivebusinessgroup.com (EUR) emily.schnieder@adaptivebusinessgroup.com (US)
GET IN TOUCH:
OUR OFFICES Adaptive can provide you with a range of packages, if you are interested in discussing your business needs, or for specific information, please do not hesitate to contact your Adaptive Globalization team at one of our global locations.
UK
DE
Kenwood House 1 Upper Grosvenor Road Tunbridge Wells TN1 2EL +44 (0) 208 123 0036
OberwallstraĂ&#x;e 9, 10117 Berlin +49 (0) 30 71 57 8990
NY
SD
171 Madison Ave Rm 1107 New York NY 10016 +1 (646) 583 1507
512 Via De La Valle #302 Solana Beach, CA 92075 +44 (0) 208 123 0295