Proofreading

Proofreading.  I can not emphasize the importance of having a translation proofread.  This might seem like common sense, but I have actually made this mistake (only once!) and it unfortunately caused me grief. I don't know what I was thinking.  If I recall correctly it was a case of having no one to go over my work and it was due the very next day.  After reading it over myself about five times and doing a little tweeking here and there I decided that I was pleased with it and handed it in ( I am still ashamed).....needless to say it apparently showed because the client contacted me with a few questions about my work that he found confusing. Lesson learned and never again did that happen!

Both of my parents actually proofread many of my documents. They are both very analytical and read a lot. It's nice to get each of their opinions on how something should be said.   If I know someone that is familiar with the subject of the document, I will have them look it over to verify certain aspects (my brother, for example, works in finance and proofread a project I translated on High Yield Investment Programs). 

It's just a good feeling to submit a translation knowing that your work was looked over and approved by another party.  Whether the client likes your writing style or not is another question, as it is a preference.