Cover Letter

Although I have already almost three years experience in the translation industry (freelance), I am still new at this field. Languages and translation have always been my interest; that is the reason I have chosen to pursue translation studies.

I got my undergraduate degree in French Language and Literature, from the Aristotle University of Thessalonica, in Greece (2000-2005). During my studies in Greece, I have started to express my interest in translation. Some of the modules which I have taken were: - Translation and Greek Language
- Methodology of teaching French as a foreign language (F.L.E.)
- Planning of courses for the language learning
- Production of teaching material for language professional training
- Linguistic loans and translation problems
- Multilingual European Environment and Alternation of Codes
- Networks and Multimedia in the Sciences of Language
- Translation Theory, Methodology, and History

As soon as I finished my BA degree, I have started immediately my postgraduate studies, focusing on translation this time. I am now a Master of Arts graduate in Translation with Language Technology, from Swansea University, in Wales (2005-2006). The modules which I have attended were:
- Machine Translation
- Words, Terms and Concepts
- Language Technology
- Advanced Translation (English-Greek)
- Advanced Translation (French-English)/first term only
- Translation Theory
- Advanced English Language and Culture

During my summer holidays in 2005, I have taken part in the EU-action program "Leonardo da Vinci" in Pritzwalk and Berlin, in Germany (EU-Aktionsprogramms "Leonardo da Vinci", from 09/08/2005-30/08/2005, having obtained the following certificate:
• Zertifikat - Bildungsgensellschaft gmbH Prizwalk.

My three-year experience in translation now includes working with a few companies, where I provided my translation services by translating their main websites, as well as other legal documents (contracts, terms and conditions), from English into Greek (Transcom-Global, Carbon Free Investments, Solar Electricity Direct, Call Center International LLC).

Amongst others, I am specialized in translating medical reports, from Greek into English and French into English.

Having some initial experience, as a self-employer in the field of translation, I have developed good written and proofreading skills, with a keen eye for detail.
• Liaison with potential clients
• Creating and sending invoices to clients after the job is completed
• Good organizational skills/ability to meet with deadlines
• Microsoft Office Package (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Excellent keyboard skills (50-60 words per minute)

Recently, I have been working at a financial independent company in Swansea, Wales (FSDM - Financial Services Data Management). Through this field of work, I have managed to develop my abilities in Telemarketing and Research, as well as I have improved my vocabulary on Telemarketing and Research terms, something which might help me with potential translations in this field.

Europass Curriculum Vitae			Christiana Tziortziou http://ctziortziou.eurocv.eu Translation/Interpreting/Consulting
PERSONAL INFORMATION
First Name, Surname			Christiana, Tziortziou
Address 1			76, Andrea Avraamides street, Dasoupolis 2024 Nicosia Cyprus (CY)
Email			christiana.abertawe@gmail.com
Mobile			+357 96552471
Country Code			CY
Place and date of birth			Cyprus Nicosia, CYPRUS 12-03-1982
Gender			Female
WORK EXPERIENCE
Date (from - to)			02-2007 - to present
Name and address of employer			Christiana Tziortziou (me): 76, Andrea Avraamides st., Dasoupolis, P.O. BOX 2024, Nicosia, CYPRUS
Type of business or sector			Translation
Occupation or position held			FREELANCE TRANSLATOR
Main activities and responsibilities			I have performed translations of tenders, user guides, manuals, legal contracts and other documents on behalf of the following companies: - Lingua Service - Brussels, Belgium - Softland - Romania (http://www.backup4all.com/) - Call Center International LLC - Telecommunications, Michigan, USA - Green Energy Direct BVBA - Braschaat, Belgium (http://www.carbonfreeinvestments.com/) - Transcom-Global - Ankara, Turkey (http://www.transcom-global.com/) Into the following languages: English-Greek, Greek-English, and French-English. Having moved back in Cyprus after two years working in Swansea, Wales, I have worked with a few private companies, as well as individuals, translating mainly CV's, research proposals and other documents on solar energy.
Attachment(s)			green energy direct - to translate_EN+EL.doc general_privacy_statement_en + GREEK.doc English-All Lessons - updated 04-16_EN+GR.doc 770T_ST.pdf 770T-FR-EN_TT.doc
Date (from - to)			04-2008 - 11-2008
Name and address of employer			OFFICE ANGELS - Recruitment Agency: Caer Las Cymru: The Customs House, Cambrian Place, Swansea SA1 1RG, WALES
Type of business or sector			Charity organisation
Occupation or position held			Receptionist
Main activities and responsibilities			I was working on a temporary basis at the reception in Caer Las Cymru, a charity organisation. My main duties included: • dealing with members of the public and other volunteers of Caer Las Cymru • maintaining and updating computerised records and spreadsheets • filing and archiving • invoicing clients
Date (from - to)			06-2008 - 08-2008
Name and address of employer			OFFICE ANGELS - Recruitment Agency: FSDM Ltd: Oldway House, Swansea, SA1 1JA, WALES
Type of business or sector			Independent Debt Solutions provider
Occupation or position held			Customer Service Advisor - Market Researcher
Main activities and responsibilities			Giving advice to customers on debt problems and solutions, as well as giving them more information on the Credit Crisis in the UK. Through this field of work, I have managed to develop my abilities in Telemarketing and Research, as well as I have improved my vocabulary on Telemarketing and Research terms, something which might help me with potential translations in this field.
Date (from - to)			07-2007 - 03-2008
Name and address of employer			OFFICE ANGELS - Recruitment Agency: 118 Ltd - Conduit UK: 34a Orchard Street, Swansea, SA1 5AW, WALES
Type of business or sector			Telecommunications
Occupation or position held			CSR - CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
Main activities and responsibilities			I was with constant contact with customers of Vodafone UK • provide Customer Support to Vodafone customers • registration/upgrade of sim cards • registration of debit/credit cards into the customer’s account • processing payments of customers' bills • changing Price Plans/tariffs on customers' accounts This may not be a work within the field of translation, however, I have gained some experience in customer service. • ability to work well independently, as well as part of the team • ability to deal with customer queries and complaints quickly and efficiently
Date (from - to)			12-2006 - 05-2007
Name and address of employer			Translation Department, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, WALES
Type of business or sector			Translation with Language Technology
Occupation or position held			VOLUNTEER TUTOR/DEMONSTRATOR
Main activities and responsibilities			I was helping the students in the laboratory work in the Language Technology Module. My main responsibilities were: • helping students with different types of translation software • helping students whom some of them have a lower level of English • working in a busy environment / ability to remain calm when working under pressure During this volunteering work, I have been able to advance my level in different translation software (SDL Trados, Déjà Vu X, StarTransit)
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Date (from - to)			09-2005 - 10-2006
Name and type of organisation providing education or training			Swansea University, Wales
Main subjects/occupational skills covered			- Machine Translation - Words, Terms and Concepts - Language Technology - Advanced Translation (English-Greek) - Translation Theory - Advanced English Language and Culture During my MA, I have specialised in International Law on Shipping (Carriage by Sea, International Carriage of Goods, Multimodal Transport). I have also developped my skills in translation software (DVX, SDL Trados, and StarTransit along with other CAT tools) in order to advance my translation skills.
Name of certification awarded			Translation with Language Technology
Level in national classification (if appropriate)			MASTER OF ARTS - POST-GRADUATE
Attachment(s)			MULTIMODAL TRANSPORT_ST_TT.doc
Date (from - to)			10-2000 - 07-2005
Name and type of organisation providing education or training			Aristotle University of Thessalonica, Greece
Main subjects/occupational skills covered			- Translation and Greek Language - Methodology of teaching French as a foreign language (F.L.E.) - Planning of courses for the language learning - Production of teaching material for language professional training - Linguistic loans and translation problems - Multilingual European Environment and Alternation of Codes - Networks and Multimedia in the Sciences of Language
Name of certification awarded			French Language and Literature
Level in national classification (if appropriate)			BA - UNDERGRADUATE
OTHER LANGUAGES
Native Language			Greek
Self-assessment			Understanding				Speaking				Writing
European level			Listening		Reading		Spoken interaction		Spoken production
English			C2	Proficient user	C2	Proficient user	C2	Proficient user	C2	Proficient user	C2	Proficient user
French			B1	Independent user	B1	Independent user	B1	Independent user	B1	Independent user	B1	Independent user
Spanish			A1	Basic user	A1	Basic user	A1	Basic user	A2	Basic user	A1	Basic user
			Common European Framework of Reference (CEF) level
SKILLS AND COMPETENCES
ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS AND COMPETENCES Coordination and administration of people, projects and budgets; at work, in voluntary work (for example culture and sports), at home, etc			Having now a three-year experience in the field of translation, as a self-employer, I have developed good written and proofreading skills, with a keen eye for detail. I have also advanced my interpersonal and organisational skills. • Liaison with potential clients • Creating and sending invoices to clients after the job is completed • Good organizational skills/ability to meet with deadlines During the period 2001-2006, I have learned new skills in the field of translation, through my first degree in French Language and Literature and my MA degree in Translation with Language Technology. Whilst staying in Swansea, Wales, I have worked in various companies (telecom, charity) in order to develop my customer service, interpersonal and organisational skills, something that would help me in: • any translation jobs (in-house and/or freelance) in terms of using my interpersonal and organisational skills • any translation jobs in terms of vocabulary and terminology
TECHNICAL SKILLS AND COMPETENCES With computers, specific kinds of equipment, machinery, etc			• Translation of technical texts and documents using translation software: Déjà Vu X SDL Trados StarTransit WordFast as well as other CAT tools: Concordance Systran
COMPUTER SKILLS AND COMPETENCES Describe your computer skills and competences			• Microsoft Office Package (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook) • Excellent keyboard skills (50-60 words per minute)
ATTACHMENTS Enter diplomas or other qualifications; Testimonial of employment or work placement; Publications or research.			Zertifikat - Bildungsgensellschaft gmbH Prizwalk EU-Aktionsprogramms "Leonardo da Vinci" in Pritzwalk/Deutschland (EU-action programme "Leonardo da Vinci" in Pritzwalk/Germany). During my stay in Germany, I became more familiar with the life and culture of Germany, having also courses of the German language from 09/08/2005-30/08/2005 In the framework of the project, following main focuses were realized: - Introduction to the German Language - Overlook to the German History - Visit of German cities - Visiting of businesses of the region - Visit of museums and historic places green energy direct - to translate_EN+EL.doc general_privacy_statement_en + GREEK.doc English-All Lessons - updated 04-16_EN+GR.doc 770T_ST.pdf 770T-FR-EN_TT.doc MULTIMODAL TRANSPORT_ST_TT.doc