To select the language professional best suited to your needs, we advise you to consider several criteria – and not just cost. Ask the freelancers on your shortlist the following questions; their answers may help guide your final choice:
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Which types of text do you usually work with (commercial, academic, literary, etc.)?
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What is your experience as an editor/translator/writer/teacher (formal credentials, certification)?
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Are you familiar with the subject in question? What makes you qualified to deal with the material?
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Can you supply the variant of English (British, American, Australian, Canadian, etc.) I require for my text? Are you a native speaker of this variant of English?
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How soon are you available to work on my text, and when could I expect to have it back?
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Can you use the software required (MS Word, PowerPoint, HTML, LaTeX, Trados, etc.)?
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Do you have a word rate, an hourly rate, a day rate or a project rate?