Data Entry Transcriptionist Overview
Data entry transcription jobs are relatively new to the scene. In the past, transcription was only a part of the duties of those hired to do “secretarial work”, who would take dictated notes in shorthand and then type them out long hand. First used primarily in the medical field, the transcription industry has expanded to include almost every industry.
A data entry transcriptionist’s duties include (but are not limited to): Copy information into a computerized format. For instance, you may get a document that is hand written that needs to be entered into a spreadsheet format like Excel. This also could be information that is recorded that you will enter into the correct formats. You may also do some straight transcription that will need to be then entered into some type of electronic or digital format.
What skills are needed to do data entry transcription jobs?
There are several skills that are required to be a good transcriptionist. Then there are some extra skills that will help you to be a data entry transcriptionist. You will need to have good typing skills, this includes accuracy and speed. Since most transcription jobs are paid by the page or hour, be it audio or worked hour, it stands to reason they will want to have as much transcription done as quickly as possible.
You will also need keyboarding skills that including the shortcuts and 10-key numbers. While many of these can be researched online, it is extremely helpful if you don’t have to stop to find them. You will also want to have the ability to accurate transfer data, whether heard or read into a digital format.
Is an education required to have a job in data entry transcription?
While you only need to have a GED (General Education Diploma) to be hired as in data entry transcription jobs, there are some classes or certifications you may want to consider getting. The transcription certification offered by many online and local educational institutions will give you a general premise from which to base further knowledge.
What type of training will help you be good at data entry transcription?
There are several courses that can help you become more proficient in data entry transcription. Because you may be using several different types of Microsoft programs such as Word and Excel, taking classes in the use of these programs can be extremely helpful. You’ll learn things such as formatting, editing, formula entry, just to list a few.
You may also want to take office procedures and/or specialty type of classes. Because you may be working with varied terminologies, you may want to take legal, medical and office terminology. Each of these are necessary for a wide variety of transcription jobs, especially if you are working freelance.
How much do data entry transcription jobs pay?
This is entirely dependent on the client, company and whether you are freelance or work with a company. What this mean is most companies pay by the audio hour or working hour at a specified rate. You will generally work in an office that is supplied by them, but not always and you represent the company for which you work. You will be assigned work based on your skills and qualifications and while the clients pay the company a price, the company will pay you something different.
Freelance work means you work directly with the clients themselves. You often will bid for the jobs, and price according to what is the going rate, yet inexpensive enough to win the contract.
The rates of pay can be by the audio hour, which is the time of the actual recording, not the time you spend working on it. This can range from $5.00 all the way to $20.00 per hour. Hourly jobs, which are paid for working time, can range up to $15.00. By the project depends on the size of the project and generally will be negotiated on that size and by the page is generally $3.00 – $8.00 per page.
Where can I find data entry transcription jobs?
Depending on how you want to work, be it at home or in an office, there are a wide variety of places you can find online to apply for data entry transcription jobs. Here, we will discuss a few of the larger sites in which you can find good, legitimate jobs.
TranscriptionJobsHQ.com: We have partnered with top companies to offer you a very easy-to-use job search engine that pulls all listings from Simply Hired, Monster, and Indeed to show you just about all of the legal transcription jobs that you can find on the internet. If you can’t find your job here feel free to keep searching elsewhere, but we are confident that our database has most of them.
Upwork.com: The transcription jobs on this website range from large to small. Once you create a profile, start out by charging a reasonable rate by audio/video minute and then build up your profile to eventually have a higher cost and repeated clients. It takes some time, but this can be a great way to get multiple clients coming back over and over again.
Rev.com: This is a great company to join if you'd like consistent transcription work provided to you. The problem with joining this company is that you'll be paid less per audio minute because they have to make money too, but they are very consistent with the work that they get.
Simplyhired.com: This is a job listing site that covers a wide range of industries. You can search by keywords such as transcription or corporate transcription. You will want to have a general cover letter that you can edit for each job and a relevant resume as you apply directly to the company itself. These jobs can be at home or in an office.
Careerbuilder.com: One of the largest of the job listing sites, careerbuilder.com has been around for well over 15 years. Again, you will want to upload a relevant resume and have a general cover letter that you can review and edit for specific companies. Since companies can also search the database for relevant workers, it is good to have a copy there as well.
Again, using key words, you will search the database for relevant jobs and apply per the specifics listed in the job details.
Monster.com: Another large job listing site, you can upload resumes, use the resume builder, develop cover letters, search the database for position and review job details. You will apply to each job per the instructions listed in the job details.