How to Land a Remote Transcription Job

Transcription jobs tend be solitary positions, lending themselves well to working from home. Transcribing audio or video files usually requires a quiet, distraction-free environment, which can be found in a home-office setup.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just looking to start out in the industry, we have a few tips on how to land a remote transcription job. Better work-life balance and flexibility could be yours in a matter of time.

Here’s how to land a remote transcription job:

List your training.

Not all transcription jobs require experience or training, but if you’re interested in specialized transcription, such as legal or medical, be sure to list your specific training. Some jobs may require certification and knowledge of common medical or legal terms. Be sure to mention any specific transcription-related training you have on your resume.

Discuss your transcription skills.

Remote transcription jobs require skills such as typing, data entry, grammar, attention to detail, and the ability to focus. Most jobs will require that you’re able to type a minimum words per minute (WPM). If you’re unsure of your typing speed, there are multiple free tests on the Internet that you can take.

Mention the equipment you have.

Some transcription jobs may require you to have your own equipment. Even if they don’t, it will give you a leg up on the competition if you already have some equipment in place. Some common things needed to perform a transcription job include a word processing program, file storage (such as Dropbox or Google Drive), transcription software, and a comfortable, ergonomic chair.

Having equipment or software in place can show that you’re serious about work and ready to take on a remote transcription role.

Play up your remote work skills.

Having previous remote work experience is definitely great if you’re aiming to get a remote transcription job, and this experience should be highlighted in your resume and cover letter. However, if you don’t have remote experience, there are transferable skills that you may already have that can be applied to a remote role.

For example, remote jobs require independent workers, good communication skills, problem-solving skills, and the ability to stay on task with little supervision. If you have any of these skills, mention them and how they will prepare you to work well remotely.

Use the right job board.

Sometimes finding a legitimate remote job can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. To save yourself from potential job scams, use job boards, such as Remote.co and FlexJobs, that focus on remote roles. FlexJobs has a team of researchers that scout jobs and ensure each job posted to the site is scam free.

We have an entire category devoted to transcription jobs and our advanced search options can allow you to pinpoint the kind of flexibility you need. Finding a remote transcription job can be easy if you use the right resources.