Getting Started as a (Freelance) Translator

Mr_Smith_3

Hi,

I have a friend who's finally looking to utilise her skills and become a translator (instead of her current job as a waitress).

She speaks 4 languages fluently; English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.

She's still young; 22/23 and lives in Brighton.

It's all well-and-good approaching company's you think could do with your skills and applying for all these freelance translation jobs online (that appear to pay minimal because you're outbidding everyone), but she has no experience, or certainly nothing to put on her application/CV, which appears to be a massive disadvantage. She has worked in the French-speaking part of Belgium, currently works in England and grew up in Portugal (OK, so that's pretty good experience - but nothing such as "I've translated for this company, that company" etc).

I'm happy to assist her in approaching company's and even promote her as "Free French lessons" etc locally, to parents for their children, or just people looking to learn a new language etc (as best I can, living miles away from her now), but I am asking if anyone here has any experience to share with me; websites/company's nationally who she could work for as a translator to get some "experience" under her belt??

Would also be great to here how freelance translators here got themselves started! Any tips will help right now.

Thanks in advance.