Translators predominantly work with business, technical, legal and scientific written materials. These include letters, reports, articles and books. However, translators can also translate fiction books. The work incorporates:

• reading documents
• writing and editing copy
• using software and bespoke applications to upload content, if required by a client
• preparing summaries
• consulting with experts in a specialist field, if required
• developing contacts and building relationships with clients.

Some translators may specialise in a particular type of work or in a particular industry sector: for example, specialising in translating technical, legal or financial documents.

career progression can come from taking on a project management or team coordination role

• Translation companies/agencies
• Commercial and industrial organisations, such as manufacturers
• Local, national and international governments and international bodies such as the United Nations
• Other public sector bodies, such as the police.

Many translators are freelancers or work for agencies; they can be paid per word.

Vacancies are typically advertised by recruitment agencies, careers services and jobs boards, as well as on the websites and in the publications of relevant professional bodies, such as the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) and the Institute of Translation and Interpreting. Posts within government and international bodies are often advertised directly on their websites.