How To Find The Best Online Transcription Job

If you want to work from home and take advantage of online transcription jobs that are available, you’re not alone. In fact, 2016 data from GlobalWorkplaceAnalytics.com indicates that, “3.7 million employees (2.8% of the workforce) now work from home at least half the time.” And, GlassDoor indicates that transcriptionists make an “average salary of $30,940” per year, depending on their hours, clients, type of work, skills, and more.

You already have great typing skills and experience, but how can you have an edge over all the competition? Well, we have some tips for you.

3 Steps to Find the Best Online Transcription Jobs and Work from Home

1. Talk to Your Peers.

If you really want to find high-quality work as a transcriptionist, talk to others who are doing what you want to do. Go on any of the numerous online transcription forums like Transcription Haven or Transcription Essentials and start communicating with other transcriptionists.

Look at reviews, feedback, and comments regarding various companies. Ask questions about testing procedures, on-time payments, things to look out for, benefits, and more. Then create a shortlist of companies you’d like to take a closer look at.

2. Research Transcription Companies.

Once you know which companies you’d like to pursue, start conducting more in-depth research. Look at Better Business Bureau reports to see if complaints have been filed against the company. Read through any employee reviews you can find; sites like Glassdoor, Indeed, and LinkedIn are great places to start. And search for news articles on the vendors under consideration (Google News is great). What you’re trying to do at this point is uncover red flags.

And keep in mind that money isn’t everything. As a work-from-home transcriptionist you might not see your employer or coworkers in person, but you still want be a part of a company you can trust and that aligns with your values. It’s important to know you’ll be paid as promised and you’ll be treated with the respect you deserve as a transcription professional.

3. Put Your New Knowledge to Work.

Now that you have a good understanding of the companies you’d like to apply to (and have a clear understanding of their requirements and needs), it’s time to fill out applications and go through the necessary tests. These tests often include grammar assessments and transcribing a sample audio file.

The next step is often a phone interview, so it’s never a bad idea to go through a mock interview. Have a family member or friend pretend to interview you. You can find many great resources online with common interview questions. Having someone else there to critique and coach you is invaluable, as others can often spot areas for improvement that you might miss practicing on your own.

And if you don’t get accepted the first time around, don’t give up. Companies with high standards often accept less than 10% of the total applicants, so being turned down doesn’t mean you’re a failure.

Finding a Great Online Transcription Job Isn’t Easy, But It’s Worth It

Being a transcriber who works out of the home has many benefits and can give you the income and freedom you want. But, you need to be willing to put in the time and effort to get there.

To gain a competitive edge, take the time to conduct research and find out as much as you can about a business from other transcriptionists and by digging up information online. Then use this data to cater your application to each, particular company. And if you need to work on any of your transcription skills, don’t forget to do so (e.g. You’re used to transcribing dictated files but are applying for a position with lots of multi-speaker files). This way you can make a good first-impression.

And while it may be a challenge to pass the tests at the best transcription companies, don’t get discouraged. Learn from your mistakes, practice and keep trying. It will be well worth the effort when you finally get that acceptance letter!

What steps will you take today to find the best online transcription job for yourself?

To learn how to earn around $13.00 to $17.00 per hour from Allegis for quality work, click here for more information about our hiring process and to review open positions.