Transcription career: 7 steps to promotions and glories

Getting promotion is not always about getting a raise and being content in your transcription career. It’s not about that fleeting lift you get from being looked up by other transcribers and being among the inner circle of the heavy-weights in your office.

It’s more about a step towards fulfilling your life’s goals and dreams. It’s all about the fulfillment of your personality and being the best you can be, as a legal transcriber. It’s about reaping more dividends from the talents you were bestowed upon.



Here is a personal story of my professional life.

A few years ago, a little over three years to be precise, I joined this legal transcription company where I still work.


I was a fresher then, not really knowing what I got myself into. But even then I never lost sight of my dreams and aspirations.

I consciously worked my way up by being helpful and learning the new trade as fast as I can. I take on more work and try my hand at even the hardest jobs around to taste the waters.

I would always voice my opinions and question the old or conventional way of doing things. Discussed my concerns and my new frangled ideas with my team leader who may even discard my ideas outright – though they secretly know it’s a good one!

I asked my seniors about everything job related and try to know everyone in the office and their position.

I learned as much as I can about the company and how the business side of the company was ran. I tried to learn how they got their contracts and how much they charge for the job that I do.

When I do a good job I would casually let my colleagues know and my team leader aware. I let my team leader know when I was ready to take on more and difficult jobs.

I asked for promotions and raise when I feel I deserved them!

Not only that, I was always looking at new openings and opportunity within (and outside) the company where I will be more valued and where I can provide more value to the company.

This opportunity came in the form of an evening shift team my company was assembling a year or so back. They wanted this team to handle urgent files and mostly new clients. People were naturally apprehensive and unwilling to change their comfortable environs. The shift was an inconvenience too.

This was fantastic news for me. It was an inviting door where I could explore my capabilities and add value to my work. This was the opportunity to prove my worth. And I did.

So I talked with my then Team Leader about my possible inclusion in that team and the possibility of my being promoted! Just like that. By accepting this challenge, I easily got two important promotions leading to Assistant Team Leader (ATL). Within three years I got promoted three times and now, I am an ATL who is included in some decision making matters of even the company!

No, that is not my goal from the beginning but rather a small step towards what I look for in life. Like financial independence, running a business of my own and/or successfully writing a blog!

Now all these may seem like a lot of work and it is, no doubt, but the pay off is good too.
Getting the promotion you always deserve is not that elusive as it sounds; nor is it that difficult.

 7 steps to promotions and glories

Step 1. Define your professional goals and long-term aims: Have goals and aims which are much bigger than a position in your company, like financial independence or setting up a startup in another 10 years from when you started working or running a successful blog from home. Never shy from having big goals, for your goals will determine what strategies and work ethics you should follow to attain your goals.

Step 2. Be proactive: Always be in communication with your seniors and bosses. Take advices when in doubt, ask questions when confused, and learn all you can about the company you work for, your colleagues, bosses and even investors. There is much to be learnt from other people, especially your bosses.

Step 3. Seek Opportunities: Opportunities exist in every walk of life, every company small or big. Always be on the look out for that opening and give your all to make the best of it. Those are your personal as well as professional growth opportunities.

Step 4: Go the Extra Mile: Don’t be afraid to be the most hardworking man/woman in the team/company. Go the extra mile to outshine the rest. Showcase your unique individuality and talents before your colleagues and bosses. Let them know you are worthy of being promoted.

Step 5: Highlight your Achievements: Tell your colleagues and bosses when you do something right, or complete your project successfully in time. Don’t be afraid to blow your own trumpet, because no one else will blow it for you; they’ve got their own to blow.

Step 6: Ask for Promotion: Just ask your bosses to give you what you deserve. Bosses are not always aware of such deserving personnel! So, remind them. Get the promotion or raise you always deserve.

Step 7: Look at the Big Picture: Do remember that a promotion is just a small step towards your life’s goals. Never tire to make improvements in your life – personal or professional. As a creative being your ultimate goal is to improve yourself. The very process of working towards such life’s goals is the ultimate joy of being alive and successful – not the promotion.