I have 5 years experience in transcribing and proofreading.Did you know there’s a flexible and reliable way to make money from home? No, really – there is! By freelancing as a transcriptionist you choose how many hours you work, making it a great option for students or anyone looking to earn some extra money. This is a simple transcriber job description, to help you decide if a career in transcription is worth it for you. What is transcribing? Transcribing entails listening to recorded audio (or video) and typing what you hear word-for-word. The audio files are varied and can include focus groups for market research, interviews, meetings, phone calls, zoom calls etc. There are different kinds of transcription jobs; general, market research transcription, medical transcription and legal transcription. Usually, no experience is required for general transcription. Instead, companies such as Take Note or TranscribeMe require transcribers to pass a test to ensure they meet their high standards. For more specialised areas of transcription, such as medical transcription or legal transcription, experience or training is needed. However, medical transcriptionists and legal transcriptionists earn more money. What skills does a transcriber need? A successful transcriber has a range of skills, these include: Strong attention to detail – remember, clients, are paying for a service. It needs to be typed up according to the transcription company’s style guidelines and without any mistakes. Typing speed of at least 70 words per minute – search for free typing speed tests online to see how fast you can type. Writing skills – a thorough understanding of all aspects of English language and grammar is crucial. Discretion – you will be transcribing confidential audio, therefore a professional and discreet manner is essential. Take Note takes its client’s transcription data security very seriously. Computer skills – as you’ll be working remotely or working from home, you need to be computer savvy and able to use different programmes and word processing software. Listening skills – transcribers need to have the ability to listen carefully to audio recordings and interpret them appropriately. Time management – deadlines are non-negotiable meaning transcribers must work quickly but efficiently.