How do I choose the right interpreter for my booking?

Choosing the right interpreter can make a big difference to your booking experience. That's why we love that the PAH! app gives you total control over your booking... you get to choose who you work with. We've put together some tips to help you feel confident in your choice. 👇

✅ Pick someone you’re comfortable with

Have a favourite interpreter you’ve worked with before? Great! You can search their name and book them again.

You can also favourite interpreters by adding them to a pod (e.g. Medical Pod, Work Pod). That way, you can quickly send bookings to your top picks.

📍 Consider location

If it’s a face-to-face job, we recommend choosing someone local to the booking address. You’ll likely have more luck getting a yes, and it may help avoid delays or travel-related issues.

For VRI (Video Remote Interpreting), it doesn’t matter where the interpreter lives, so you can choose based on other preferences.

🧠 Think about the type of booking 

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Different bookings need different strengths. If it’s a specialist appointment, maybe look for someone with experience in the medical setting. For a workshop or panel, maybe you want someone who is confident interpreting in front of lots of people. You get to decide who’s the right fit. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all, and that’s a good thing.

🎥 Check their profile

Each interpreter’s profile should include:

• A photo

• A short written bio

• A signed video introduction

These give you a great idea of their personality, background, and experience. Feel free to browse a few before you make your choice.

🧠 Help your interpreter help you

Sometimes interpreting doesn’t go quite right - not because the interpreter wasn’t skilled, but because they didn’t know what you needed. You know yourself best. So let them know upfront:

• What the booking is about

• If there’s anything sensitive to be aware of

• What you want from them (e.g. fast-paced interpreting, pausing for questions, etc.)

This helps the interpreter make an informed decision about whether they’re the right fit, and helps set the booking up for success.

🔁 Your booking = your choice

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Not every match is perfect - and that’s okay. If an interpreter didn’t suit your style or you didn’t feel fully comfortable, you don’t need to book them again. The PAH! app gives you the freedom to try someone new each time, or to stick with your favourites... It’s totally up to you. You’re in control of your experience.

Need more help?

If you're still unsure, we'd love to help! 

How? Check out this video  

We'll organise a time to to support you 💙