Quite sometime ago, we discussed the possibility of leveraging our social media activities in finding a job, Twitter in particular. I just thought “Hey, why not try that idea for myself now?” I am seriously on lookout for another employer as my current employer is in troubled times though I am very much reluctant parting ways with him after a stint of nine long years. Furthermore, I couldn’t even digest another career change at the age of 43. But when life throws you curves, you learn to swerve. The world of Internet is much vast beyond our imagination. So instead of getting dwindled and cursing stars, why not try the luck on Internet for another good bread giver?
Hence, in a move to find another potential employer and sell myself through social media, I posted a Twitter tweet, a Facebook status update, and a Linkedin message.
Let me elaborate the message:
Medical transcriptionist with expertise in radiology since 1999, is available for hire.
Expected pay: 9 cents per line, negotiable.
Characters per line: 65 with spaces.
Expected amount of work: ~1500 lines a day.
Payment interval, mode: Fortnightly, wire transfer.
Turnaround time: 12 to 24 hours or as per your requirements.
Working hours and online availability: 8:30 pm EST to 11:30 am EST, Monday through Friday.
Willingness to cover stats: Not interested.
Platform: Web based, to be provided by the employer.
Equipment: Well equipped with all softwares, dictionaries, and spell checkers needed for transcription with adequate power and Internet backup to tackle any unforeseen outage. I have my own medical transcription search engine, googleMT, and I am also the author of a free medical spell checker.
HIPAA: Compliance guaranteed.
Willingness to work onsite: Can work from home only, online.
Experience: Medical transcriptionist since 1999.
Reference: Testimonials can be provided with reference to the current employer.
Curriculum vitae: Author of this blog. Read the bio here.
Contact: Reach the contact form or email raj [at] rajn.co should you need further details or want to check with your requirements that may have missed here.
Did I miss something?
Finding a job through Twitter or other social media sites could have worked for somebody in some other sphere of life but medical transcription industry as a whole is in cut-throat competition with MTs willing to work for whatever they have been offered. I could hear some of you asking, “Can this idea be successful in medical transcription hiring?” It is just an idea and we are trying to enact it. Given the tough phase that the medical transcription businesses are going through, the odds seem stacked against. However, my hope is getting along with a small lab.
I have not been active on Twitter for a while, have never been active on Linkedin, where as on Facebook all my contacts are either relatives or my college friends. So I really don’t know if this could succeed. Let’s see if somebody finds the title “Radiology-Experienced Medical Transcriptionist Available For Hire” on search engines and lands on this page.
Hope for the best and let’s make it as a case study whether social media can be leveraged to find a medical transcription job and whether activities on the Internet can really fetch you bread. I will let you know if the outcome is positive. Stay tuned.
What a fabulous idea and a very interesting way to market yourself. In this day and age, a lot of jobs are being found via word of mouth as opposed to traditional applications and hiring. If you don’t mind, I’m going to use your ideas in my job search!
Thanks again for sharing!
Hi Lisa,
I welcome you to suggest your ideas as well and share your success story once you too are on your dream job.
Thanks for the pep.
You do have a good idea, however the root of the problem is the same as it ever was; that is, that the executives and shareholders never lose a cent and the employees bear the entire burden of a poor economy. Regardless of how bad the economy is, there is always a demand for this service and the excuse that this is a “cutthroat” business is just that, an excuse. The only solution is to start all over in the fight to unionize, or we will continue to get paid close to minimum wage in a highly specialized, in-demand job. The age of the New Robber Barons is upon us.
You are right. That’s what I said. As long as MTs are willing to work for any rate imposed upon them ignoring their skills, we have no choice. The only way out is to unite and fight for the cause but who will bell the cat? I see the current associations which boast as MT friendly are good for nothing in this regard. A careful look at the balance sheets of the MTSOs, which are available in the public domain would reveal that none of them are making losses but improving their margins year on year.
Sometime in December 2009, I got a mail from an unknown Medical Transcriptionist introducing your blog, and since than I have been receiving all your articles via mail. Yesterday’s mail was well informative. Today, again your mail seeking job is fantastic. I just liked it.
I am too a medical transcriptionist from India, and work from home. I got 4 years of experience in this field. Once I tried this method giving my profile in Orkut. Many offered job, but at a very low price, the price does not even cover electricity bill and net bill. One company offered a better price and for that I worked for 2 months, but unfortunately payment never came. Every week they send mail saying payment will be made next week, but all in vein. At last I lodged a police complaint; my proof was their mails and communication via mail. Once police reached their place with my complaint and proof, they did not have option but to pay. I got the money with interest.
I am just sharing this information to you, as I have no idea how things are in USA. Here we are paid very low. Like you, I am also old for searching a new job, (I am 10 years older than you in age, may be younger in profession) and no choice than to stay with this job, and without job also difficult to live.
All the best from my side for a good job as per your choice.
I have never heard of a salary cut for doctors, nurses, or other healthcare professionals. Then why only us MTs?
Same answer as I said earlier. Lack of unity and unwillingness to question the reduced pay.