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First rule: DON'T assume

Posted By: ME on 2009-08-15
In Reply to: becoming an IC - justmemt

Can see you are frustrated but don't assume people who *might* have answered your original post saw it.

If you were going to take the time and effort to write a second post - why choose such an off-putting tone?

How about: I know you all are very busy trying to work 24/7 to make HALF of what you used to make - but my first post went unanswered. Would someone KINDLY please point me in the right direction?




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Not saying this is the rule, but (sm)
It could be a regional thing. I used to do a lot of accounts in S FL and it was pretty ESL-intensive. I then did some N FL accounts and it was the opposite, but believe it or not, the dictators were MUCH worse.

Regions of California, Florida, Texas, and NY probably have more ESLs than other states. I could be wrong on this and probably a gross generalization, but I'm only speaking from experience.
My new rule
With rare exception, I don't do any test without the courtesy of verbal communication in advance with the company advertising. If they can't or won't even speak to you via phone to answer a few simple questions, how do you know if you even want the job?

I don't have *any* problem testing, but if the management can't or won't even speak to you first, it can be a sign of under-staffing/poor organization.


You seem to be the exception, not the rule. nm
..
You are the exception rather than the rule. ....
Most companies pay nothing, or next to nothing. Then you have to consider that you have to deal with the very personal fact that AAMT loves its Indian MTs more than you, and you are just funding their growth...it's just not worth it. I've been on thier boards, I have been a CMT, and I'm more than happy to shred AAMT's pleas to have me maintain their lifestyle. NO SOUP FOR AAMT!

AAMT Nazi.
is that a rule on the website or something?
If so, sorry....didn't know
As a general rule....

75% is a pretty heavy figure on terms of ESL.  That sounds like an account no one else wants to do. 


You are an exception rather than the rule....
I learned on the job too, but that was a LONG time ago. It has been my experience nowadays that you have to pass testing for most nationals to get hired. Those who can pass testing with no experience are few and far between and you are to be commended. This particular person already has acknowledged that she could not pass testing and does not have the knowledge required, and was asking how to gain that knowledge.
What concerns me is that the rule is
Unless you like being banned, then keep on having laughs over the job seeker's board posts.  It happened to me, so I like to tell people that I was instantly banned for pointing something out on a job post.  It is not acceptable no matter what the forum or nature of the job posting.  It is not really up to you or I to decide what is just having a laugh!  The moderator has posted this in the past.  NO MAKING FUN OF THE JOB POSTS.  Someone may want to apply, do you think that there are only American MTs in America?  Do you think only foreign MTs stay in their country?  Even if the job was foreign in nature, that doesn't give anyone the right to poke fun or have a laugh at someone else's expense especially someone who is offering jobs!!!!!!!!!   
Then it must the the exception, not the rule. sm
According to everything I've heard and seen, the offshore work is garbage. That doesn't mean there may not be a service or two in other countries that hires educated MTs, who are proficient in English and conscientious at their jobs. I have worked with people from other countries that did as well as I do. But they are few and far between, and if every company let their offshore work stand on its own, or had it being QA'd offshore, most of the accounts would be back on shore in a short time. JMO
The exception to the rule.
x
There is no set rule. A lot of it depends
on your bank as to when they will accept the money and let you have access to it. If you know in advance that they will hold your check if date falls on a Saturday until Monday, then you just have to adjust to that.
I think you should rule the world
with that attitude. I tell them, I do this, I do that, well goody for you.
Rule #1 about job-seeking: Never, EVER, pay
'background check', NADA. The company should always pay for those things. If not, look elsewhere. I learned that one the hard way a long time ago.
Well, don't look at me, I didn't set the rule. :)
I just tried to 'splain it.

Just another minion here.
exception to the rule
I agree with you completely, but yesterday I had to delete an entire report and retype it. After I downloaded it, I noticed it was totally nonsensical. As I began listening to the audio, I found out why. There was a TV in the background that was actually louder than the dictator and VR was trying to pick up what the person on TV was saying. It made a total mess of it and of course had nothing at all to do with the patient's report, so this was a case of having no choice. Luckily these are few and far between. This morning I had a report with absolutely no corrections needed and it was wonderful! But then I thought, Whoa! If they all get this perfect, I'll be history! So I'll gladly make a few corrections!
Why would you even assume that if there is a
I've worked for plenty of companies where QA was conflicted on issues.  One would say one thing, and the other would say something different.  How does that make the MT bad?  As a matter of fact, when I worked for Transcend it happened at least 3 different times because there was conflicting information from the client and the account manager.  Good gravy, let's just sell out your fellow MTs in a heartbeat.  Unless you're QA with a superiority complex, of course.  
and I am to assume
that the other's names are actually hat they post as. Can we get beyond the name and note the thread information - I truly hope that those with common sense would take heed to what is posted but use common sense and investigate any job they apply for. Regardless of the name - for example - when D&L starts hiring under their NEW name, will you all just jump at the chance?

I appreciate the thread - no off shore - and will also use my knowledge to investigate it first before cheering the company on.
I really don't know but I ASSume they are.

I tried to figure it one time by checking my word count.  In MS word you click tools and word count with and without spaces.  Then divide both figures by 65 to see what I get and compare it to what they have but my platform messed up and I lost my document. 


I have not figured out how we get paid.  When I worked for the hospital, my supe there said we did not get paid for headers or footers.  When I signed on with the MTSO the recruiter said the same thing.  However, my supe at the MTSO said we did. 


You can assume all you want.

You can let that brain of yours just go wherever it wants to with the situation.  LOL  I don't owe any explanation to you or anyone else as you have no business in this situation to begin with.  Get a life and quit butting into things you do not have any business being in.


I work for the BEST company in the MT industry. 


You do know what happens when you assume, right?
Good god, could you be more judgmental and finger-pointing? First of all, this is the ONLY thing I have posted in at least three months. I don't disagree that there is negativity, but IN MY EXPERIENCE, this is an excellent point to be brought up.

I do not work for any of the companies that are regularly discussed or bashed here. Two of the companies I work for, I really do love my supervisors and feel pretty decent sense of teamwork.

As for what I'm willing to do, I learned MANY years ago that in order to make money in this profession, you have to be willing to do everything. Even the stuff that makes you want to punch your speakers.

Let me reiterate, you assumed some pretty ridiculous stuff right there.

I do all work - every dictator who pops up, every work type - sitting here at my computer for at LEAST 13 hours a day.

And I am still running out of work. With THREE jobs with THREE companies, two of which I have seen hiring in the past two months.

I have spoken to my supervisors, and I am on as many accounts (15 with one, 7 with another, and 5 with the last) as I can be on.

Now find MY fault in that. Other than NOT wishing to take a risk on kicking one of these jobs to the curb for a less reputable company, and then having to spend hours and hours of my own time - AGAIN - learning a kajillion account specifics. Only to run out of work even more often.

But back to my specific question, even though you breezed through the actual fact without even a response:

MT companies, in several articles I've read recently, are blatantly stating that they're offshoring because there is a shortage of MTs in the US. So why am I (ME) out of work so often?

When you assume you are usually
wrong. Sorry but I am past retirement age and was trained OTJ at a hospital, so that sorta shoots your theory down. I cannot believe all people put out about VR, you included. To say a person could probaby take Dorland's and do, just another fable to go along with the rest. Do some research before talking about something you apparently have little knowledge about. I have 36 years in and counting so back to your assuming again. I love it when people are so off the target.
You assume right, so you really need to get your...sm
facts straight before shooting off at the mouth/fingers.  And furthermore, I was responding to the above post to the above poster, not get into a p---ing contest with YOU about abbreviations, so I don't care what you ASSUME.  P.S. Yes, I do know the correct abbreviation for my state, if its any of your beeswax, which, incidentally did not come into play in my post.  Do you know yours? 
You can assume what you like
However, if I decide to stay there, even if just to spite QA, I don't need even more wrath called down upon me as I'm sure I'll be doing enough of that anyway with every report I argue. Had it been a load of 'hooey', I could have just said it was MQ since many assumed that and the company is large enough that new hires come and go without notice.
Ladies we rule the MT world!!! nm
a
That is what happens when corporations rule our government. sm
In a global economy, quality of life will have to readjust to the lowest common denominator because there are always third world countries that will do it cheaper.

Welcome to the New World Order that Bush told us about!

Allstate is definitely an exception to that rule
I know who each of those persons were that posted. I also know that Allstate believes in their ICs working as a team and helping each other. There are no secrets -- in fact, just the opposite. Interactions amongst MTs and QAs is encouraged. Names, email addresses and phone numbers are openly shared (with permission) if it means making help more readily available to other MTs when they need it. Everyone on the company is provided a direct number to reach even the owner/CEO at any time. And by the way, yes all those MTs do work for Allstate, and no they are NOT the same person. I know all of them.
That was the rule when the site was owned
by Sheri..guess it doesn't apply anymore.
You, my friend, are the exception, not the rule.

There are very few people making that kind of money in transcription anymore.  Have you even read the ads posted recently?  Fewer and fewer MTSOs are even hiring employees and when they do advertise, their IC compensation is 7, 8, or 9 cpl.  Even those companies that are hiring employees are doing so at extremely low rates, at the same time overhiring to make sure that their *contract enticements* will be met on the backs of the MTs.  Have you noticed the postings from MTs of, not 1, not 2, not 3, but SEVERAL different companies stating that there is no work??  When an IC is working for 8 or 9 cpl or an employee for even less, and there is no work available, how is that person supposed to make $50-60K annually?


People like yourself will criticize others for their opinions and will brag about your own situation, but when push comes to shove do you state what company you work for that allows such a wonderful wage with your abundant work load?  What is your fear?  That others will jump on board and soon you will be facing the same situation??  Until you have experienced what the *majority* of MTs in this field have been facing, you really have no valid facts to make such a request that other MTs be fired because their situation forces their loss of employment (if they quit because of it), their loss of compensation (if they are docked), or the loss of quality (which will certainly occur) due to the punitive compensation policies in place. 


Ha, that is funny what you assume
I have been an MT for 15 years.  I have worked at the Cleveland Clinic inhouse for many of those years and for 1 other national and 3 smaller MTSOs as an IC.  I have PLENTY of experience with platforms and doctors and sound quality.  Maybe you just need your hand held!
Amherst I assume.
:
I would think we can safely assume that. nm
xxxx
I get them, I would assume they are offered to all, but not sure

thanks for the info. I assume you are sm
happy with them?
Don't assume they won't give you the
Health insurance benefits, when offered, are as much of your compensation package as anything else. Recruiters know this. I have always asked and though some have seemed somewhat reluctant to look it up, I always got specific answers as to contribution, copays, caps, etc. Just be sure you know what you want to ask, and ask away. What's the worst that could happen?

Good luck.
If you are an IC. I assume for tax purposes, but I'm
xx
It is unfortunate but no one should assume . .
that they have not been trying to hustle up business, as that is something that is a constant - trying to obtain new accounts, but it just has not happened. I agree with prior posting, stay positive, they are a good company and something will happen, it may just take time.
If you don't save them, I would assume one
would be out of a job if required to by employer.
Why do you assume that this person has not

searched the archives?  Maybe they have and just have more questions, looking for current employees of the company.  I do not understand why when people post here looking for information about a company that other people have to be so rude and make such comments.  I understand that some do not realize that the archives are there to search but be nice about it and not so snippy.


Assume everything in effect as of Jan 1
xx
Don't assume my job isn't on the line. sm
I want a job to feed my family because they're my priority, that's my reality.


I don't know about Stentel, but a good rule of thumb seems to be SM
that if you are an extremely fast MT, you will likely not make as many lph doing VR.  However, if you are pretty average speed at transcribing, you may be able to increase your lph significantly with the VR once the system has been trained pretty well.  Just something to think about....
I think they changed that rule a year or so ago. They can post.
nm
Who needs it? We don't. Just don't buy anymore with their silly rule changing.
nm
If I knew the answer, I could rule the world. Too
x
Was always told a general rule of thumb...
60 minutes equals 600 lines, 80 minutes, 800 lines and so on.  The formula did pan out for me.  I was always able to figure out how many lines I would get by how many minutes I pulled from the system. 
Excuse me, but why do you assume that every post...
is directed at YOU? For crying out loud, I was merely posting my experience with Transcend and how *I* was getting 20K per payroll period. YOU need to a grip - or something?? Sheesh!
A lot of them are hiring due to growth. To assume that they sm
cannot keep or find MTs is crazy. I work for a company that is getting new accounts all the time. I know because I help train new hires. They are one of the companies that posts a lot of openings. Just because a company advertises for new MTs often does not mean that they cannot keep MTs.

I know this is true for the company I work for in Florida and for at least two of the others that post a lot. I think that MQ having problems has been good for a lot of the smaller companies!
I was wondering the same thing. Can only assume
nm
I assume U.S. citizens don't need jobs
Our small locally owned and operated, independent telephone company outsources their customer service to India after hours and on weekends.  The so-called customer service rep, who spoke English very poorly, was a bloomin' idiot.  I asked where he was located and he said, Iowa.  Unhuh.  When the phone company office opened I was on the phone reaming them a new one and they admitted they outsource to India because it cuts down on their operating costs and keeps the rates low for their customers.  Yeah, right.  Guess the Indian's got a raise because they sure went right ahead and raised our rates a couple months ago.
So from your smarmy little post, should we assume you took the job? nm

If I assumed anything I would assume your job IS on the line. n/m