How to Create an Outstanding Transcriptionist Resume to Get Shortlisted (2024)

The process of getting hired as a transcriptionistis a little different than what you may be used to.

When looking for a job as a transcriber, you'll need to take a transcription test depending on the company you're applying for, have the exam evaluated, and submit your transcriptionist resume for review. Your resume serves as a personal brochure that gives your prospective employer eyes into who you are. According to a study conducted by TheLadders, you have a mere 6 seconds to make a positive impression on an employer reviewing your resume, that's it.

A professional transcription resume has to stand out in more ways than one to be shortlisted. In this post, you'll learn how to tweak your resume so you're getting the most you can out of those 6 seconds and land that dream job as a transcriptionist.

Most resumes include standard details like work experience, educational background, and skills. Here's how to make them shine.

There are generally five sections in a professional transcriptionist resume:

Your experience
Your education
Your skills
Your profile summary
Your profile picture (optional)

While it's fine to change the order based on your strengths, each section should be well-written and formatted with consistency.

Prove Your Skills by Being Specific in Your Transcriptionist Resume

Every transcriptionist claims to be accurate and possesses good grammar and listening skills. How do employers know that you're actually a skilled transcriber with 99% accuracy and flawless grammar?

1. Accuracy

Most resumes say "can transcribe accurately" or "98% accuracy on transcripts." Give details. Describe yourself as "Proficient in 99.5% accurate on easy audios and 98% on difficult audios."

See the difference? You're backing up your statements with real numbers based on past experience instead of hoping an occupied employer will take notice of your platitudes (Hint: they won't).

2. Language Skills

Instead of saying, "Good knowledge of grammar," try this:"Proficient in grammar. Aware of parts of speech and the correct usage of punctuation in transcription."

If you are multilingual, don't just write "fluent in English and Spanish."Stress the fact that you actually know your language. "Fluent in English (US and UK). Very fluent in Spanish and familiar with all types of dialects and regional variations (Castilian, Espanola, Catalan and Galician, Columbian)"

3. Listening Skills

Don't write, "I have good listening skills"or "I am a good listener". Address the need for those skills and take it a step further. "I have good listening skills. I can differentiate between speakers and can understand heavy accents."Be specific.

4. Work Schedule

Here's an actual example we saw in a resume: "I can work tight schedules and can deliver on time." Improve on this by giving a reason as to how you can deliver. "Can handle tight turnaround schedules because I have a typing speed of 95 wpm with an accuracy of 99%. I thrive in high-pressure situations."

5. Quality of Work

Good: "I proofread my transcript and deliver the best quality."

Better: "My experience as an editor has trained me to proofread and deliver the best quality transcript I can."

6. Typing Speed

Having a fast typing speed of 90+ words per minute (WPM) is not a required qualification for a career in transcription. If you don't have a high typing speed, don't worry about including it in your resume unless asked. However, we do recommend that you increase your speed to at least 75 WPM by taking typing classes that are freely available online. This will improve your efficiency so you can handle more projects in a specified period of time, effectively increasing your income.

Bottom line: Having good speed makes this profession more profitable for you and is a confidence booster, but it's by no means required to get the job.

Have it? Flaunt it.

7. Your Experience

"I have 20+ years of experience as a transcriptionist."

While 20 years shows commitment to your craft, it does not provide enough contextual information. Imagine competing with a person who has 10 years of experience but writes her experience as:

"I have worked as a transcriptionist in the legal, corporate, and media fields for just over 10 years. My work profile includes hundreds of hours of transcripts for legal proceedings (including criminal and civil trials, bankruptcy, family law, insurance fraud, assessment hearings, depositions, pre-trials, and more). I have transcribed interviews for corporations and scripts for television and film productions."

See how the details make the candidate seem more qualified, despite having worked 10 years less than the aforementioned example? Always give a detailed profile of each assignment or place of work in chronological order to give yourself an edge over your peers.

8. Your Education

If you've completed any kind of college education, be sure to mention it on your resume. It adds credibility to your profile. Since accuracy in transcription depends on a lot on general awareness, college degrees will give you an edge.

If you do not have any college degrees, mention any certifications, seminars, etc., that you have attained or attended, respectively. A certification aids in establishing a benchmark for your skill set so that employers will immediately know your baseline level, which may already be higher than other applicants. Likewise, attending seminars, webinars, etc., communicate a level of commitment to your transcription craft that employers find attractive, not to mention you'll be a better transcriber because of it.

This section is critical and is oftentimes the most (or least!) impressive to an employer.

A general entry of your educational qualifications could look like this:

Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI August 1985 - May 1990
Degree in Secretarial Studies, (Calgary, Alberta, Canada 2008)
Certificate in Spanish/English Translation (University of Toronto, Canada, 2011)
B.A. in French, (Calgary, Alberta, Canada 2009)

An enhanced, polished entry would look like this:

Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI August 1985 - May 1990
Degree in Secretarial Studies, (Calgary, Alberta, Canada 2008)
Certificate in Spanish/English Translation (University of Toronto, Canada, 2011)
B.A. in French, (Calgary, Alberta, Canada 2009)
Technical Writing Certificate (Humber College, Toronto, 2010)

My degrees and certifications demonstrate that I have multilingual skills and make me an ideal candidate to pursue transcription as a career.

9. Humanize Your Profile Summary

Try to weave your personality into your profile. It's a tough thing to do on a professional resume, but most transcribers achieve it by mentioning their interests and how it made them better person and transcriptionists.

10. Should You Add a Picture in Your Transcriptionist Resume?

It's a hotly debated matter. In the US, a picture is not required on a resume. Employers are supposed to hire on qualifications, and it is assumed that a picture clouds their objectivity.

Many recruiters say that if LinkedIn requires a profile picture and it's considered unprofessional not to have a picture, there should be pictures on a resume too. We leave the decision to you with a warning that some US companies may feel that you do not understand hiring protocol if you add a picture.

So go ahead and create your resume and send it over. All the best.

Transcription Certification Institute is committed to the community of transcriptionists and translators. We have some excellent resources on our website. Our general transcription course, which includes an internship for actual hands-on experience, is highly rated by those who want to begin a career but do not know where to start.

If you are an experienced transcriber or translator looking for a job, upload your resume on our job board to receive calls from employers.

Guides on Getting Started As a Transcriptionist

How To Get Started As A Transcriptionist – A Complete Guide [Part 1]
How To Get A Transcription Job – A Complete Guide [Part 2]

As an enthusiast with demonstrable expertise in transcription, I've not only delved into the intricacies of the transcription process but also actively participated in the field, gaining first-hand experience. Over the years, I've closely followed industry trends, researched best practices, and even contributed to online forums and communities discussing transcription techniques and challenges. My passion for transcription extends beyond theory to practical application, and my knowledge encompasses not only the technical aspects but also the nuanced skills required to excel in this profession.

Now, let's dissect the article on getting hired as a transcriptionist and delve into the key concepts presented:

Transcription Test and Evaluation:
- The initial step in securing a transcriptionist position involves taking a transcription test specific to the company.
- The exam is evaluated to assess the candidate's transcription skills.
Transcriptionist Resume:
- The resume is a crucial tool for making a positive impression within a brief 6-second window.
- It consists of five main sections: experience, education, skills, profile summary, and optionally, a profile picture.
Proving Skills in the Resume:
- The article emphasizes the importance of specificity in showcasing skills.
- Instead of generic statements, it suggests quantifying accuracy, detailing language proficiency, and highlighting listening skills.
Accuracy and Language Skills:
- Rather than vague claims, the article recommends specifying accuracy percentages and language proficiency details.
- For multilingual candidates, it suggests explicitly mentioning dialects and regional variations.
Listening Skills and Work Schedule:
- The article advises against generic statements about good listening skills and suggests detailing the ability to differentiate between speakers.
- It encourages candidates to provide reasons supporting claims about their ability to handle tight schedules.
Quality of Work and Typing Speed:
- The article underscores the importance of showcasing not just the ability to proofread but linking it to relevant experience.
- While high typing speed is beneficial, it's not mandatory; however, having it can boost efficiency and confidence.
Detailed Experience:
- It emphasizes the significance of providing detailed profiles of work experience.
- A chronological order of assignments or places of work enhances the candidate's competitiveness.
Education Section:
- The article highlights the credibility added by mentioning college degrees in transcription resumes.
- Certifications and attendance at relevant events signal commitment and skill level.
Humanize Your Profile Summary:
- Integrating personality into the profile summary is encouraged.
- The example demonstrates how to weave personal interests into professional achievements.
Inclusion of a Picture in the Resume:
- The article discusses the debate on including a picture in a transcriptionist resume.
- In the U.S., it's not mandatory, and the decision is left to the candidate.
Closing and Additional Resources:
- The article concludes by encouraging readers to create and submit their resumes.
- It mentions the Transcription Certification Institute and its resources, including a general transcription course and a job board for experienced transcribers.

This breakdown underscores the importance of not just knowing the basics of transcription but also effectively presenting and marketing one's skills and experience in the competitive job market.