Pluspunten
** Can work from anywhere with good internet. ** Easy work (if you are a master of your spoken language, including grammar, spelling, punctuation), and are a good typer. ** VERY, VERY flexible hours. Great for moms (or dads) with small kids who are needing a little extra cash. ** Advancement opportunities are numerous. Transcriber, Quality Assurance, Reviewer, and "Special Teams" ** It's a fairly new company so they are constantly upgrading and improving, so things do need to be updated. Even the scariest changes have improved the smoothness of operations and I haven't had any bug problems lately. ** Administration is a click away. When I have had concerns about things, they are heard. For example, many of us wanted an auto-save option, now there is one. ** It is an easy company to get into, which is why people are "let go" easily as well. Don't worry, if you are doing well, you're fine. If you are not doing well after many many files were worked on, then you are released. As with any job, if you aren't showing improvement, you need to find something else. They do try to help you improve. ** Rejected files are able to be sent to review, just in case you have a Quality Assurance person reject something you believe you should have been paid for. When this happens, they are very good about responding to questions and offering CONSTRUCTIVE criticism to help you fix your mistakes the next time. ** Every single person I've worked under has treated me with the greatest respect and kindness. I tend to be a very kind and patient person as well, so perhaps that's why my experience has been so positive. ** Pay rate depends on how good you are. The better you are, the more you get paid per actual hour. If your work is seen to be very good, they contact you about advancement, as was the case with me. ** As you advance, you have more control over which files you work on. If you get a file with a poor recording, you don't have to do it. In fact, as a reviewer, currently, I beg you to pass on it. Let someone take it who has the time and software to mess with it. ** The Technology Team was usually available within a reasonable amount of time for help with emergencies. ** They utilize a WorkHub as well as HelpDesk and Yammer for communication with administration. I find that they are also very good about emailing answers that cannot be found in the Style Guide. *** They are global *** so mastering the English language isn't a requirement, but being a master of at least one language is required. I believe the company is based in New Zealand, so there are various forms of the English language that are used (UK, AUS, US, etc.) ** No set working hours. I can work at 5am, 3am, or 9pm if I choose. I can also work for 2 minutes, or 90 minutes. ** No set number of weekly hours required. If you are gone for 3 months, or have not emailed to let them know your situation, then you could be let go, so just keep in touch. ** Paid through PayPal so it's safe and there are no currency issues.
Minpunten
** The only main issue I have is that everything is communicated in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) which is about 7 hours ahead of me, so I have to always remember that when meeting a self-imposed goal or deadline. ** You must be a good and attentive listener. If you are unable to focus for more than a couple minutes at a time, this might not be for you. ** Not a great amount of offline work available, so you must have reliable internet access. ** You must provide your own hearing equipment. Computer speakers generally aren't good enough. I just use cheap ear-buds and they work as well, or better than others who spend a great deal more on headphones. ** Pay is only low if you are looking for this to be your main income, but higher than most other transcription companies I am familiar with. This is supplemental at best, but would be a great way to practice and improve on many language skills. I made a bit over 1K last year and I don't feel I worked very hard every month. ** You have to have a quiet surrounding, or at least quiet children. I work in the morning, at nap time, and in the evening. Sometimes when we go outside I will work out there as well.. ** No benefits or insurance. The benefit to me is they are paying me for work that I can do while sitting on my couch, drinking coffee, and watching my kids play with their dolls and planes.... This internet stuff is incredible. ** I've never had a delay in payment, but I have heard it happens, but I've worked here just over a year and it's never been a problem. ** Pay-out-day is on Friday. They require you to have earned a minimum of $10 before you withdraw (again, not a big deal for me). There's a 3% fee and $0.30 charge added by Paypal to each transaction. I generally wait until I've earned $100 before withdrawing that money and having it sent to Paypal. ** As a QA or Reviewer you do sometimes have to deal with people who are not very good at their job, so you may be asked to reject their work. This happens, so being smart about which transcription you do becomes important as does your be-nice-to-others skills. ** Negative co-workers do exist in all jobs, but I find that most of the people I work with at TranscribeMe are excellent and loving people. Every single person in administration has always been positive and encouraging of me. ** They don't pay you for good reviews. I wish they did. I was shocked there were so many negative feelings about TM, so I decided to leave my impressions as well.