How do Sign Language Interpreters Increase Opportunity in a Weak Economy?
How often do we as sign language interpreters think about the demands placed on an interpreter scheduler? Brandon Arthur challenges us to reach out and become true partners with this integral position in many of our worlds for the goal of our mutual benefit.
One of the main giving hands in the sign language interpreter economy is the scheduler of interpreting services for the local interpreting agency, university, or VRS company. These daring individuals play an extremely important role in the livelihood of most sign language interpreters. So, when it can literally mean the difference between thousands of dollars and ample opportunity or zippy, why are they so frequently unappreciated?
Why Ingratiate?
As a sign language interpreter, if you truly consider the impact a scheduler can have on the opportunities presented to you, it is clear that to invest in them is not just a good idea—its’ critically necessary. These are the folks who control who gets called first, offered the high profile and multiple day assignments, and pair interpreters for requests needing more than one.
So, what do you do to ingratiate yourself to these workers of logistical magic? How do you ensure you are considered among the first contacted when an opportunity presents itself?
What follows are suggestions for developing the type of working relationship that will position you top-of-mind with the sign language interpreter schedulers you work with.
Return Calls & Email
If you have ever sat near the desk of a sign language interpreter scheduler, you know that they initiate and receive hundreds of phone calls and emails week-in and week-out. Surprisingly, much of this correspondence seeking to pair artists with opportunity goes unanswered.
Even if you have the good fortune to be booked for the time inquired about by a scheduler, keep the karma of gratitude on your side and return their correspondence. It will go a long way to build the type of working relationship that will keep you at the front of the line when the sexy work comes in.
Take a Personal Interest
When returning these phone calls, take a few minutes to inquire as to how these logistical talents are personally. Find out about their lives, their kid’s lives, and the things that get them juiced about life outside the job. Coordinating logistics is an intense and thankless job. Pausing to take a personal interest shows that you aren’t just a taker, but you are a giver as well.
It’s easy to give to those that give.
Be a Partner
It is important to think of a scheduler as a partner. As partners, each of you has a job to do and both contribute to the success of any given opportunity. Therefore, do what partners do,
- Regularly offer appreciation for a job well done
- Always give them the benefit of the doubt
- Should a conflict or a mistake occur, address it with them directly before escalating it
- Take the unsexy job when they are in a tough spot, even if it is inconvenient
- Occasionally drop by the office to say a hello
- Extend a small appreciation gift on occasion (something on administrative professionals day is a no brainer)
- When encountering information that is relevant to their personal life, send it to them
To be a partner is to have a partner.
A Smart Investment
There are a number of places to make investments in your career as a sign language interpreter that is for sure. With that said, I can think of fewer investments that costs so very little and pay such a huge dividend.
These logistical field generals do a thankless job and one that makes doing our job more convenient. Let’s not make the mistake of mistreating or not appreciating them. It’s bad for the profession and bad form all around.
I double dog dare you to hug a scheduler and see what happens!
Leave a Reply
44 Comments on "How do Sign Language Interpreters Increase Opportunity in a Weak Economy?"
You must be logged in to post a comment.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Be a partner: yes! Develop a close personal relationship outside of work to guarantee your book is always full: distasteful. Using undue influence to win over schedulers is not ethical. Because both parties have a lot to gain from filling jobs, care should be taken from both sides and the power-balance should be something all should respect. Keep the CPC at the forefront when accepting jobs… I personally support certified interpreters as schedulers. For one, they at least (in theory) are held to the standard of the CPC.
Melinni,
Thanks for joining the discussion.
I agree that there are folks, other than certified interpreters, that are qualified to schedule interpreters. With that said, I think all those scheduling interpreters need to be familiar with the CPC and the logistical challenges faced by working interpreters. Schedulers that have this understanding and awareness make a more valuable partner in the process of service provision.
AMEN!
I prefer the business model of an independent working interpreter. I am my own scheduler. This is mostly due to the fact that I live in a location where it is possible due to volume of work. I think we need a new paradigm of service provision that is not solely based on the agency model.
Enjoyed your response!… So true!… I’m actually a working interpreter in CA.. from Houston TX.. so, I’m gonna keep your info “at-hand” when i come to visit family during the holidays, gonna check out the agency– USING YOUR NAME!! Just teasing.. Yes, this could be a very SHOCKING situation.. Good luck and blessings to your future :).. again- thanks for the feedback! gefs
Hey Brandon,
Did I mention the guy (who runs his own agency) that I hired to sub for me while I was at a week long workshop? who solicited the job from my employer and lowered his rate? who then sent terps who possessed NO credentials? AND the bottom line to my ex-employer: He is cheaper!(this had been a potential two year plus assignment). Are there any ethics?
Ahhhhh too many stories, too little time!
Kitty
Sad. Sad. Sad. Unfortunately, the race to the bottom is a fast one.
Showing integrity, respect to consumers, keeping things confidential, being on time, not posting your “guess where I worked” blasts off Facebook, will get you a lot more work than kissing up to the scheduler. I think the deaf consumers are realizing what is really happening in our profession. I would be thrilled to see the consumers putting their foot down on this hypocrisy.
As a consumer, I would hope that my request for communication access are based on my communication needs, and the interpreters skill.
I hope it is not based on if an interpreter went out for body shots on Friday night with the scheduler, or if the interpreter takes the job because they have a house payment due.
The bottom line should always be, the consumer’s communication needs and the skill level of the interpreter. Period.
Squirrelly Girl,
Thanks for adding the perspective of a scheduler to the discussion.
Are there additional courtesies, other than not replying to inquiries, that you would encourage interpreters not to forget in order to remain on a local scheduler’s radar?
CMH,
Thanks for joining the discussion.
You make a great point and one that has been missing in this thread. Ensuring that we understand how the scheduler prefers to communicate and what their operating protocol is is key. In your experience, is it as simple as asking the scheduler their preference relative to your responses to inquiries?
Good tippers get prompt attention of underpaid staff at restaurants and bars. Scheduler pay is not on par with interpreter pay. Interpreters depend on these schedulers for assignments. Treat them well and you will make a decent living.
@ “Treat’em well” ummmmmmmmm tips? First horse in the second race? Not sure where you are located, but, these schedulers in our state are living well, ummmmm not from my “tips”.
I agree with you, Treat’em well. Make the small investments, framed as Aaron shares above – a focus on keeping the customer happy, and your professionalism will keep you near the front of the opportunity line.
@Greggory: 40 years in this business, almost EVERYTHING has happened to me! (and I’ve been grabbed many times)
Greggory,
I am pleased to know that StreetLeverage has been both entertaining and professionally beneficial for you. 🙂
I look forward to your continued participation on the site.
Excellent article and excellent ensuing discussion. Brandon, Thank you for this important contribution and valuable information. As professionals we should take heed.
Moose
Cheryl,
You are too kind. Thanks for your comment and participation on the site.
[…] http://www.streetleverage.com – Today, 1:41 AM […]
Absolutely true! I’ve become so friendly with one booker ( scheduler ) that I’m already beginning to miss her now the clients one year contract has finished . Our parting emails were touching . We became friends over the airwaves and I was always at the top of her appointment book . Taking an interest in the person at the other end of the pen , so to speak, added another layer of pleasure to the assignment .
Hi!
Ditto the comments above about not kissing up to schedulers to ingratiate yourself to rustle up work opportunities.
Be responsive, timely, provide excellent customer service, be consitently responsive and flexible, show respect, be thankful, offer creative solutions to challenges, work well with team interpreters, be honest and professional and enjoy your work.
I absolutely do not try to relate on personal levels and give gifts. That is shmoosing.
SH
[…] the cost of additional fees or a reduction in fees or to cover sickness or double bookings. Knowing the gatekeepers of bookings helps i.e. agency booking staff. It was reported recently that one interpreter put […]
This has always seemed like common sense to me. Now it may be due to the fact I coordinated interpreters for 5 years, but even before that I would always return calls and emals, even if it was just to say “I’m unavailable”.
I let them know when I finish a job. I can’t count how many other jobs I went to because I called in to report I was done/available.