Here is another strategy that may help you get your foot in the door of the medical transcription field: Take a veteran medical transcriptionist to lunch. What’s that? A way to a medical transcriptionist’s heart is through his or her stomach??? Not quite.

This is called an information interview, not a job interview. When you take a fellow medical transcriptionist to lunch, you will ask him/her about his/her career.

Questions to ask: How did you get started? How did you get your education? Who was most instrumental in your career? Ask, ask, ask questions not about how you can get into the field but about how your MT colleague got his/her start. What a wonderful way to establish rapport with someone and have a great time while dining! You are not asking for anything for yourself at this meeting, just establishing rapport, setting yourself apart from others (name recognition), and showing that you are serious about the profession.

Also, if your MT colleague has been in the field for quite some time (10 or more years), be sure to ask what type of equipment he/she initially used. You will be amazed at the changes in technology. You will probably also look at the person in awe, thinking that you could never have done it with that (archaic) equipment! I remember some veteran MTs telling me about typing dictation using a typewriter with carbon paper…and the dictation was recorded on wax cylinders. OMG!

So some time in the near future, when you are feeling blue and discouraged, disheartened, possibly disillusioned because you lack confidence and experience to gain that so badly needed confidence, take heart. There is a seasoned MT just willing to spill the beans to you and help you out.

Ok…..I’ll have the veggie platter with rice, and a side salad……