At the end of an interpreting assignment, a Deaf client asks for your business card. What is the appropriate action?

At the end of an interpreting assignment, a Deaf client asks for your business card. What is the appropriate action?

• A. Hand them your own personal contact card
• B. Hand the agency's business card and write your name on it so they can request you next time
• C. Refuse to give any contact information
• D. Suggest they contact the agency for the next assignment

Answer: (A)

Maintaining professional contact options after an assignment is the main idea. Giving the client your own professional contact card provides a direct, reliable way to reach you for future interpreting needs, which supports continuity of services and clearer communication. It signals that you’re accessible for ongoing work and helps the client arrange follow-up assignments without going through extra steps or delays. If you have an agency, you’d still follow agency policies, but sharing a card that clearly identifies you as the interpreter and includes appropriate work contact information keeps the process straightforward for the client. Keeping it professional on the card matters—use work email and a work phone or other official contact method, and avoid sharing personal details beyond what’s appropriate for professional outreach. The other options introduce extra barriers (refusing contact, routing everything through the agency, or altering agency materials), which can hinder the client’s ability to obtain the interpreter they relied on and delay future services.

Maintaining professional contact options after an assignment is the main idea. Giving the client your own professional contact card provides a direct, reliable way to reach you for future interpreting needs, which supports continuity of services and clearer communication. It signals that you’re accessible for ongoing work and helps the client arrange follow-up assignments without going through extra steps or delays. If you have an agency, you’d still follow agency policies, but sharing a card that clearly identifies you as the interpreter and includes appropriate work contact information keeps the process straightforward for the client.

Keeping it professional on the card matters—use work email and a work phone or other official contact method, and avoid sharing personal details beyond what’s appropriate for professional outreach. The other options introduce extra barriers (refusing contact, routing everything through the agency, or altering agency materials), which can hinder the client’s ability to obtain the interpreter they relied on and delay future services.