A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry
Laughable! - "Rich MT"
Posted: May 15, 2013
I applied for a job at a call center (I will do ANYTHING to get out of MT) and never got called for an interview. They then advertised again and I applied again. I actually applied 3 times and never even got a call! I knew I met the qualifications and didn't know why I wouldn't at least get a call back, so finally I just went down there and asked!
I live in a small town, so the supervisor was nice enough to pull my resume and do you know what this man told me? He said I never got a call, because they saw I do medical transcription and "everybody knows you guys make big money" and since we couldn't compete with those wages, we figured you wouldn't stick around long with our company. The company pays $12.00 per hour, which is more than I have made lately in any MT position on a constant basis. Definitely haven't made $12 per hour for 40 hours in YEARS! I told him that and told him I would be THRILLED to make $12 per hour, so he said he is going to work on some stuff and give me a call.
It is amazing, I can't make money as an MT, but can't make money not as an MT, because people have that misconception.
Same thing happened to me! I finally got... - none
[ In Reply To ..]an interview and was not hired with a company I would have loved to work for. I kept insisting I was more than qualified and yes, she said, you are but, "I know we can't come close to what you make". When I told her, she was stunned. Still, no job but, "maybe next time."
work arounds - Snow Bunny (the original)
[ In Reply To ..]You need to design the resume to meet the job description and required skills. If you are looking for a position in a call center, emphasize skill you have that are NOT related to transcription.
We are no longer in a one-resume-for-all-jobs world. Each resume must be molded to the job you are applying to. A while back I posted a link (see below) to help with resume design. There's no charge and you might it useful.
And as a side note, if a potential employer says to you that MTs make a lot of money, take advantage of that to show him your customer skills set. Explain to him professionally and graciously why he is incorrect, and then make sure s/he understands that you gave a demonstration of how you would discuss a situation with a customer over the phone.
Obviously - MT
[ In Reply To ..]Obviously, we know to design our resume to the particular job in question, but as far as "explaining professionally" that MTs don't make as much anymore, well most people never get that opportunity. They see our resume and move right on, because they have the misconception that MTs are rolling in the dough.
then don't use the term "medical transcriptionist" - Snow Bunny (the original)
[ In Reply To ..]unless you are applying for an MT position. Say that you have X years' experience in medical records.
Agree with that - Absolutely
[ In Reply To ..]Snow Bunny is right on target with that . . . the problem is the way you present yourself on your resume.
I think we value our work and abilities, justifiably, and expect others to do so, too.
It is not reasonable to expect employers to "know" what you know about MT skills and abilities. They do not know or they have mistaken beliefs.
You have to phrase your resume in a way that markets your ability to do the new job and keeps them from type-casting you as an MT.
Why? - Anonymous
[ In Reply To ..]Are you ashamed of being an MT? Don't you think they will find out what your job title was when they do employment verification or check references. To say that you were a medical records employee is not entirely the truth, and when they ask you what your job duties were you are going to have to lie. I was an MT for 35 years and found a non-MT job, and it is a good one. I told the truth about what I did. I can think of worse ways to be type cast.
Really need to read complete thread before posting. - nm
[ In Reply To ..]X
Work arounds - Anonymous
[ In Reply To ..]In theory that sounds great, but an interview may not be the best time to educate a potential employer or to tell him/her that they are incorrect. Salary discussions should not come up right away, and anyone has the right to accept or reject an offer. I have been a lucky MT and rode the wave until my job got outsourced but got another good job with the same employer. I took a small pay cut when I changed jobs but am still doing pretty well. I remember years and years ago when I applied for a job at a law office when I was a relatively new MT. At the interview, the attorney said, "I had no idea medical transcriptionists were paid so well." At that time, the offer wasn't very good so I kept doing what I did best. I had never thought that employers still perceived MTs as making big bucks, but I think some of them see us as being over qualified for a lot of entry level positions. I think that's probably a genuine concern for employers in regard to people taking jobs because they are willing to do anything only to stay a short while. I don't think I have the people skills to work in a call center, and I think I'd be bored answering the phone all day, but I hope it's a good fit for some MTs looking to make a change. My resume would be a big blank if I had to list my non-medical customer skills set, I'd have to use a lot of BS to make myself look good if I wanted to work in a customer service job.
In a cover letter explain you are an MT but technology - and a global economy have lowered SM
[ In Reply To ..]the pay to the point that many MTs struggle to make minimum wage. Maybe also mention that there is no room for advancement or pay increases anymore and you would like a chance to advance in whatever profession you choose.
Of course, edit this and put in your own words, but might as well address the issue right off the bat.
Not a good idea - Anonymous
[ In Reply To ..]If you tell a prospective employer that you currently make minimum wage, they may think you'd be satisfied with that. Also, never tell a prospective employer that you are "struggling," that just sounds desperate and your cover letter will probably get tossed. Just my opinion, but never address salary in a cover letter. Wait until you have an interview but don't make it the main focus. Wait until the end of the interview and tactfully ask about the salary range. Or, wait for them to bring it up, it is usually negotiable. Even on applications, if the question is asked in regard to "requested salary," it is better to answer "negotiable" or "open."
FIrst, didnt post to say YOU make minimum, said MANY - make minimum. And didnt post SM
[ In Reply To ..]to put in cover letter that you are struggling. Again, MANY struggle. And never posted about addressing salary in the cover letter. Did you read the preceding posts. Those posts have discussed that when prospective employers see the applicant is MT, the resume gets tossed then, never a chance for an interview.
I read your post - Anonymous
[ In Reply To ..]...and this is what it says in regard to a cover letter.
..."the pay to the point that many MTs struggle to make minimum wage. Maybe also mention that there is no room for advancement or pay increases anymore and you would like a chance to advance in whatever profession you choose.
Of course, edit this and put in your own words, but might as well address the issue right off the bat."
That sounds as if you are addressing salary. Your cover letter is not supposed to be about "struggling MTs" it is supposed to be about you and presenting yourself to your potential employer in the best possible manner. Any HR manager is going to ashcan a cover letter in regard to anyone who is "struggling," they are not looking for whiners.
If you say you are MT and DONT address these issues, - you will not get an interview per SM
[ In Reply To ..]the first posted posts. I dont think it sounds like I am addressing what the salary might be at the new job at all.
And I asked if you had read the preceding postS. I would hope the HR person perusing my resume had better reading comprehension. The thread was all about not being about not being able to even get an interview when HR person saw MT.
I read the entire thread - Anonymous
[ In Reply To ..]I was addressing the comments about the cover letter; no one cares about "struggling MTs." Do not even go there when you apply for a job. And please do not try to falsify information on your app trying to cover up the fact that you are an MT thinking that it will help you get a foot in the door; the truth is going to come out sooner or later.
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