# So am I pretty much unemployable? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 17, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417 "2016-01-17T17:29:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![tonyfop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/85f322/32.png) [@tonyfop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tonyfop)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2016, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417/41 "2016-01-18T00:27:11Z")
Have you looked at anything in the diplomatic realm? I looked into it a little when I left the military, but I don’t have the skills to pick up another language. The State Department always has jobs available for people with translation skills… ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2016, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417/42 "2016-01-18T01:23:14Z")
> [@HeXen](#): > > I know this guy who speaks Russian. He started his own translation company online from his home and companies pay him very good money to translate Russian to English documents of some sort. It’s nothing for him to earn a few thousand a week. Hmmm, I know several people who speak Russian, none of them make this kind of money. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2016, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417/43 "2016-01-18T04:45:05Z")
I haven’t read through this entire thread but you can check with Amazon. The wife of a co-worker was recently hired by Amazon to translate Japanese\<-\>English and she largely works from home. She is younger (20’s) but I doubt Amazon cares about the age of their translators as long as they’re proficient. ---
**Author:** ![GythaOgg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/49beb7/32.png) [@GythaOgg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GythaOgg)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2016, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417/44 "2016-01-18T15:32:37Z")
> [@wellanuff](#): > > Good for your daughter. Is she with Disney in the U.S., or in Japan? If she is learning Japanese in the U.S., my hat is off to her. I had to go live in Japan for a few years before I got to that level, and I doubt I could have done it without going the “immersion” route. > > I got JLPT 1 in 2003, but that was because I hadn’t heard of it before then, and my then wife said I should take it just for the sake of having the certification. (I had been translating for about 15 years by then with all of the work I could handle, so I didn’t see the point.) When I went to take the test, people were cramming for the test in the hallway whereas I was just winging it, and I started to get nervous (“maybe I should have studied…”) but I passed. Didn’t ace it or anything, but I passed. > > Thanks for the tip on Language Line. I’ll look at that. She’s working for Disney in Florida, currently in the College Program (even though she graduated last year) and has been told she has a job waiting for her with them in May when her program ends. Disney LOVES hiring people who can speak foreign languages, and they get quite a few guests from Japan. She studied Japanese through high school and college, and spent her Junior year of college doing study abroad in Japan at a very small college near Tokyo. She actually took the JLPT 3 in Japan. She’s studying for level 2, as time allows. You just winged it? Wow! That’s a notoriously hard test. Congrats to you! ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2016, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417/45 "2016-01-18T16:01:03Z")
If you live somewhere with a lot of Japanese-speaking people, perhaps you could teach english to them (and offer other language services) out of your home – find some japanese-language websites like a craigslist equivalent in your area, and advertise english-language services (teaching, translation, help with forms, etc.) cheaply (at first, at least) from your home. Might be a small income that would give you something to do, and interact with people. ---
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2016, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417/46 "2016-01-18T16:26:44Z")
> [@](#): > > I have no desire to try to resume a freelance career. If I was to go back to translating, I would want to do it as an in-house translator. And I don’t even know if such jobs exist anymore, or if it is all outsourced. You might not want to resume a freelance career, but it might be a good starting point. It’ll help you build a network and give you a pool of companies that might be interested in hiring you. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2016, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417/47 "2016-01-18T16:30:46Z")
> [@wellanuff](#): > > Lastly, I am a lousy interview. I can smile and make eye contact, etc., and have a decent appearance, **but I can’t think fast verbally. Small talk and answering questions that require any sort of thought or insight are minefields for me.** Either I can’t think of anything to say, or I start to ramble, nesting parenthetical comments within parenthetical comments. Even I start to think, as I ramble, “Jesus Christ, what are you doing? Get it back on track!” Does the issue of not being able to think quickly happen only when you’re under stress? When you’re not under stress, can you think quickly? When you wrote this thread, how easy was it to write it out? What you describe sounds like a form of social anxiety disorder. When you’re on the spot, it can be hard to think because the stress and anxiety is making it harder to think. This can be helped with drugs and therapy. Toastmasters would also be a type of therapy where you could practice being in that stressful situation regularly so that you (hopefully) get used to it and have less stress. But more traditional therapies can also help. I take propranolol when I’m in a stressful situation to prevent the physical symptoms of anxiety (flush skin, high voice, excessive sweating, etc). It doesn’t directly help with the mental aspect, but I’m much better able to handle the situation without worrying about sweat dripping from my face. You may never be an extrovert and you may never look forward to an interview, but you can take steps to make yourself handle these situations better. From what you describe, I can’t see how you’ll make it past the front door in either a traditional job or a freelance one. In pretty much all cases you’ll need to convince someone you’re the right person for the job. If you can’t, there’s a long line of people who also want the same work. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2016, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417/48 "2016-01-18T16:42:37Z")
> [@AngelSoft](#): > > Hey that language skill can get you places 🙂 Look into customer service even. I know the casinos where I live are always looking for people who are fluent in any of the Asian languages because they get so many tourists from that area. And even if it doesn’t involve your language skill, customer service is gonna pay better than retail or fast food… Especially consider Hawaii and California as those areas get massive numbers of Japanese tourists. New York and Florida are also pretty good, West Virginia not so much. I’ve heard that the US territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands also get a fair amount of Japanese tourism. ---
**Author:** ![\_Raven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/_raven/32/20435_2.png) [@\_Raven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Raven)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2016, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417/49 "2016-01-18T17:31:33Z")
I should think you’d be highly employable, especially in the Chicago job market (where I assume you did your financial work). Enough international trade and cultural exchange goes on there to keep good Japanese translators and teachers employed steadily. Tell me you’ve at least looked through the Chicago papers’ want ads, or registered your skill set with the state’s employment program and other agencies. ---
**Author:** ![\_Raven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/_raven/32/20435_2.png) [@\_Raven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Raven)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2016, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417/50 "2016-01-18T17:46:08Z")
Try: [Client Services Specialist - Japanese/English Bilingual](https://uboc.taleo.net/careersection/10090/jobdetail.ftl?job=506716&src=JB-10205) … will communicate and negotiate with Corporate Banking Department (CBD) customers… MUFG - Chicago, IL 60606 (Loop area) Among other [Bilingual Japanese jobs at Indeed.com](http://www.indeed.com/q-Bilingual-Japanese-jobs.html) ---
**Author:** ![\_Raven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/_raven/32/20435_2.png) [@\_Raven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Raven)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2016, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417/51 "2016-01-18T18:03:50Z")
And perhaps the broadest link: [(Google: ) \*\*+\*\*chicago jobs japanese-translators](http://www.google.com/search?num=100&q=%2Bchicago+jobs+japanese-translators) (Or [(Google: ) \*\*+\*\*chicago jobs bilingual-japanese-english](http://www.google.com/search?num=100&q=%2Bchicago+jobs+bilingual-japanese-english)) ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2016, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417/52 "2016-01-18T18:55:36Z")
> [@ddsun](#): > > … > I would also recommend that you seek out a placement services agency or expert. … This. Sign up to as many placement and recruiter agencies as possible, and let them carry the burden of networking and initial contacts. It’s their job to try and market you in a good light. Also consider international recruiting. ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2016, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417/53 "2016-01-18T19:25:01Z")
Are you in a major metropolitan area? I ask because I know a couple, the wife of which was born in Croatia and speaks/reads/writes several Slavic languages well. She found a job working at a hospital as a medical translator. The area where they live has a large number of Eastern European immigrants, many of whom do not speak English well or at all. She interprets between patient and doctor. She worked for a while as a nurse and has a good understanding of medical terms, so this was a natural fit. ---
**Author:** ![wellanuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@wellanuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wellanuff)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2016, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417/54 "2016-01-19T02:33:29Z")
Man, you guys are great. Thanks to everyone for the constructive and helpful suggestions, and encouragement, along with doses of reality. There is a lot to follow upon. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2016, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417/55 "2016-01-19T03:09:43Z")
Good luck, **wellanuff** , and do come back and let us know what happens. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2016, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417/56 "2016-01-19T03:37:36Z")
> [@wellanuff](#): > > I have no desire to try to resume a freelance career. If I was to go back to translating, I would want to do it as an in-house translator. And I don’t even know if such jobs exist anymore, or if it is all outsourced. In my industry most translations are outsourced, because They need to translate into several languages; They like a single source. You’d want to work for the translation company - in-house at the outsource, as it were. I don’t know for a fact, but I assume the translation companies hire remote workers. Most companies do now. So, no, you’re not unemployable. You’ve got a good skill set for someone who doesn’t schmooze well with others. ---
**Author:** ![T.M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ad7895/32.png) [@T.M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T.M)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2016, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417/57 "2016-01-19T11:12:04Z")
I think Astro has got it about right, Your problem is not a lack of qualification it is a very poor self image. You only need two answers, I can do that and I do not know I have not tried yet both show you in a positive light Yes I am capable of doing that job, yes I am willing to learn. I am 72, five years ago I over heard some one in a pub complain that he could not find a driver, so I joined the conversation and said to him I can do that. I arrived at his office next day at 9 am expecting a small truck, I have spent the last 5 years driving him in his Bentley. I cannot spell, my grammar is atrocious (thank God for spell check) my point is I come on this site and others and have my say I have never allowed my lack of ability to stop me trying ---
**Author:** ![Katriona](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/katriona/32/113_2.png) [@Katriona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katriona)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2016, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417/58 "2016-01-19T17:55:50Z")
> [@j666](#): > > In my industry most translations are outsourced, because They need to translate into several languages; They like a single source. > > You’d want to work for the translation company - in-house at the outsource, as it were. I don’t know for a fact, but I assume the translation companies hire remote workers. Most companies do now. > > So, no, you’re not unemployable. You’ve got a good skill set for someone who doesn’t schmooze well with others. At my company, at least (medical software), we do have an in-house translations team. I’m a technical writer, so we work pretty closely with them for translating all of our client-facing documents. Might be worth looking into in your area. ---
**Author:** ![HeXen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@HeXen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeXen)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2016, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417/59 "2016-01-19T22:29:57Z")
> [@Mr.Nylock](#): > > Hmmm, I know several people who speak Russian, none of them make this kind of money. Depends how many clients you have I guess. Him and his wife both have their own but their from Russia so I guess that helps getting clients from there. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-am-i-pretty-much-unemployable/743417.md?page=2)