Matt H. (started in May 2015)
Nevada
What’s a typical working day for you?
I wake up late and usually there is work waiting for me in my Dropbox. I slowly have breakfast while reading Twitter and catching up with life. Ideally I get started on work within two hours of waking up, but I’m a bit of a procrastinator. I work on and off for the next several hours, taking breaks to eat, run errands, or just sit on the couch watching YouTube videos while my heating pad does wonders to my arms, shoulders, and back.
What do you like most about working with 24/7 Transcripts?
I have a great boss who helps make my life easy and non-stressful. There is never any drama – even when I screw up. The vast majority of the audio we work on is clear and easy to transcribe. It’s a straightforward job where the main thing I have to worry about is my own work ethic and focus. And when I’m done working for the day, I still have enough energy to pursue other things.
Do you have any advice for people thinking of applying to work with company?
If you are someone who is already in the transcription field, then I suggest getting all of your equipment in order. It will easily pay for itself. Noise-cancelling headphones, a mechanical keyboard, a really good chair, a foot pedal, and a few pieces of software all combine to make me a much more productive transcriptionist. A massive library of AutoCorrect shortcuts is crucial. The 24-hour turnaround time and daily grind of having to transcribe thousands of words is much less daunting when you are doing it efficiently. If you are new to transcription, then 24/7 Transcripts is a good place to start as it is a warm environment and the audio is usually clear. Transcription is a more difficult job than people think, so it’s something you will need to try out before fully committing to it.
What, if anything, sets apart working with 24/7 Transcripts than other companies?
I couldn’t really say. Years ago in college I worked for a transcription company where I went to an office every day. We mainly transcribed micro cassettes as the digital revolution was just beginning. I really enjoyed that job. A decade later when I wanted to get back into transcription, 24/7 was the first company I applied to. I have been here ever since and haven’t worked for anyone else.
What have been your favorite topics to transcribe?
I like getting slices of life from people. So, California Gen-Xers discussing what chicken they buy at the grocery store. New York millennials talking about waiting in long lines for coffee. I also enjoy consulting work where you get people talking about their own companies; or the occasional job at the end of a project where the moderators and the client discuss what they’ve heard.
Is there anything else you want to say about working with 24/7 Transcripts?
I feel lucky that 24/7 Transcripts has been such a good fit for me, and I’m glad to see the company is growing and reaching out to find more skilled transcriptionists that will make us even stronger.
