Need an Indian Translator for Your Import Business? Look to Craigslist

Indian interpreters are a growing demand among importers, and many Indian nationals residing in the United States are well-qualified to perform the service. But where to start looking?

One word: Craigslist. The global site has become a go-to source for nearly anyone seeking anything, including domestic importers who seek foreign language interpreters. If you wish to hire a local translator to work in-house, Craigslist is an ideal resource; even if you opt to have your interpreter work remotely, it is a fast way to locate someone who is willing and able to do the job.

To start, simply visit Craigslist.com and click on the page that identifies your local region (from the home page, either choose the closest metro to you; or click by state, then choose a more specific area by city or region). Go to "Services" and click "Write/ed/tr8" in the lower right corner. The "tr8" is an abbreviation for "translate." There, you may find an individual who advertises Indian translation services.

If you cannot find a translater in your area, you have two options, as follows.

1. Perform the same search, but in a different region. This is the best back-up plan if your original search was in your local suburban region. This time, you will want to search the closest metro area, where immigrant populations are far more prevalent. For instance, those searching for Indian interpreters on Craigslist in Bakersfield, Calif., will now want to return to the homepage to locate Craigslist's Los Angeles section Those in Grand Rapids, Michigan may want to search in the section for Detroit.

2. Post your own Craigslist ad. Rather than scouring through listings for an Indian interpreter, you may also consider posting in Craigslist classifieds. When seeking a translator, the easiest way is to go to "Post to Classifieds," then "Job Offered." From there, you will find different categories to choose from for this help wanted ad. Although there is no specific category for translation or interpreting jobs, it may be a good idea to use the "Writing/Editing" category again, or "Et Cetera jobs," where job seekers go to find an assortment of extra money employment. You can also post the ad twice, provided that you change the wording sufficiently (as Craigslist frowns upon duplicate ads and may block the publishing of the second ad if it is not written differently).

Yes, there are other ways to find an Indian interpreter for your business; but for fast, local help, Craigslist is among the most effective resources at your disposal. Remember: Your ad will remain there for a considerable amount of time, so there is no need to despair if you do not receive a response in the first few days. You may consider re-posting every couple of days as needed, especially in crowded sections.

A note to skeptics: Do not be so sure that this will not work. You may indeed encounter a friendly, reliable, and professional translator that can serve as a resource for your business for years to come. And if you do not, there are plenty of other options to fall back on.