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When you're just starting out, you'll likely have to do work for free to beef up your resume and make connections. Turn to community organizations, hospitals, and sporting events, like marathons, that have international participants and see if you can just help out on the translating side. It's a necessary part of starting out in this career. Odds are you probably know someone who works in an industry that deals with many different types of people with many different linguistic backgrounds. Ask everyone you know if they could use some free help. Why would they turn you down? Though certification isn't 100% necessary, it will make it much easier to get jobs. Employers look at your background and see this certification and trust you have the skills to do the job. You'll also be listed on the website of the organization you go through, where potential clients can find you. There are several varieties to consider: The American Translator's Association offers generalized certification programs for translators. If you want to be a judicial or medical translator, organizations such as the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators and the International Medical Interpreters Association offer specialized certifications in this area. Check if your state or area has an accreditation programs for translators and interpreters. Take a language proficiency test such as the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) to show potential clients that you are indeed fluent in your specific language. Similar to an accreditation or certification, showing your test results to prospective employers is a quick way for them to assess your skills and see that you'll be good for the job. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages offers many proficiency tests, too. You can find plenty of tests online offered by other countries, as well.
Take volunteer opportunities. Get certified. Get tested.