Perform better localization tests
Your way-in to new opportunities
From the bottom of my heart mind
Fresh stories from a Spanish Copywriter.
I’m not the biggest fan of the resumes. Yes, they can give you some idea about a professional, some background… but give me 10 minutes with that person and I’ll know more.
Still, I get we need them from time to time.
Lucky me, I have a decent CV with my academic experience, a nice picture and all my working background.
I also have a not bad website (Textonality.com, check it out!) and some samples of my work to show.
Buuuuuuuuuuuuuut, still with all that… in the localization industry it is very common to use a test to (yes, guess) test the copywriter’s skills. I’ve done dozens of them: I passed some of them, so I got the job; and failed in some of them too.
I’m all in for honesty and we should share our failures too. The last test I took was for a very important client few weeks ago and they just told me two days ago that they decided to moved forward with other copywriter. All good.
I love tests. They give you the chance to show who you are and how you work in a very real and specific situation. Doesn’t matter your background or experience if you can’t really perform. And is very fair, if you ask me.
So I want to share some tips I use on this kind of applications.
Don’t be shy: ask!
Sometimes you don’t get a proper briefing and you don’t know exactly what to do or what are the expectation. Ask. And if they don’t give you the answers, explain well why you did what you did.
Justify your copy
I already talked about this in other issues. You NEED to make them understand why you wrote what you wrote, why you chose a specific tone of voice/word/strategy. Help them will make them help you.
Think, then write, then review, then think again
Is a test. Either if is paid or not, is important, so take your time. Think about how to approach it, write what they ask you to write, review (1, 2, 3 times or more) and then read it again checking the briefing.
Respect the format
If they ask you to send a Google Doc, do it. Word format? Do it. A specific font or size? Do it, do it, do it. Also it will gives you extra point if you present your test in a nice and clear way.
Paid test or free tests?
This can be a topic for a future newsletter. I’d say in general, better try to get paid for the test (at the end you are gonna invest time and energy on it). But sometimes, if the test is short or if you really want this client, can skip it.
Now you! How do you deal with tests? Any crazy story about it? Do you like them (like me) or hate them? I’d love to know it.
Market-in
Resources to reach your peak level.
💡 Maybe is not on LinkedIn anymore, but lay-offs are still happening, specially in the tech industry. If you are in this situation, I might be able to help.
Outside the desk
Where the magic really happens.
⛰️ After few days in Valencia, I’m on the road again for Asturias, in the north of Spain. Great food, chill weather, amazing nature.
🏄♂️ And back to surfing after a year without trying! I used to surf a lot when living in Cape Town and is something I really missed.
📖 On the book side, I’m combining a crime novel (located in the Basque Country) with the biography of Jose Manuel Calderón, a former Spanish NBA player.
Make it global, baby
If you want to work with me, this is the way.
🚀 Want to take your brand to the next Spanish level? Hit the “reply” bottom and let’s talk.
📬 Want to appear in one of the next issues? Let’s see how we can work it out.
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All the best for the rest of your week,
💙 Ricky from Textonality.com 💙