Advice for Budding Typing Contractors
Catherine ByrneAre you a budding typing contractor wanting to know more about the world of typing contracting? Mel, Marianne and Mystique, three highly experienced Pacific NZ typing contractors, give budding typing contractors a few words of advice. If you are considering entering the world of typing contracting, read this article first.
#1: You have freedom and flexibility
Working as a typing contractor means you set your own hours and days of work. The freedom and flexibility that working from home as a typing contractor provides, can be much greater than those provided within an office environment.
If you value your freedom and like flexibility in your work, typing contracting may be for you.
Mystique says: “I love moving around and exploring, and I also love the freedom to be able to work around my life and the weather. i.e., when the weather is good, I like to be outdoors, and [in] bad weather I like to do more work.”
When asked what things they liked most about being a typing contractor, Mel said: “Definitely the flexibility which is something you just don’t have with an office job. The work/life balance is so important to me and my family and being a typing contractor definitely provides that.”
Marianne says: “A friend of mine already worked for Pacific and her job sounded so perfect, being able to work flexibly around other commitments. I like that I can choose my own hours, but also that someone else is providing the workflow without me having to go out and find it.”
#2: Since COVID and lockdowns, everyone now takes working from home seriously
When talking with a number of our typing contractors, it became apparent that one of the unintended consequences of COVID and lockdown was that friends were less likely to “pop around” for a cuppa when you’re busy working towards an urgent deadline. Before COVID, working from home wasn’t taken as seriously. Now, everyone is much more understanding and realises that working from home means that you’re actually busy working! One upside to COVID!
Marianne says: “Friends thinking that because I’m home they should pop around for coffee when I’m busy with a deadline…that can be awkward and stressful. But since Covid and the lockdowns people realise more that working from home means you’re actually busy working, as they were all doing it too.”
#3: Be prepared!
You’re fast approaching an urgent deadline. The friend has finally left your home (they popped in for a “quick” cuppa), the kids don’t have to be picked up for a while yet, and you’re on the home stretch of your file.
Suddenly your keyboard “a” button stops working, and then the “f” button seizes. You need “a” and “f”. Words don’t work without the full alphabet!
You need a new keyboard, and fast.
You remember you have your backup devices in your cupboard. Pulling open the door, you reach past the spare headset and foot pedal, and grab the spare keyboard. You rip out the old one, plug in the new. You’re away!
Thank goodness you had a spare as backup. You finish typing your file and return the completed transcript, just under the deadline.
Well done! Crisis averted.
You never know when your equipment will fail. But having a spare of each key piece of equipment – a headset, foot pedal and keyboard – means you can quickly replace the devices, and get on with your typing, within a matter of minutes.
Marianne says: “I’m not sure if it’s advice, but something I’ve found helpful is to keep a spare headset, keyboard and foot pedal so it’s not a stressful event when they won’t go/wear out.”
#4: Just Do It!
Have you been “um-ing and ah-ing” about dipping your toe in the typing contractor well? You’ve done your research, you have the skills and abilities, and you are ready to make a change which will benefit you and your family, so what’s stopping you? Stop thinking, and start doing!
Mel says: “Just do it! The work/life balance is amazing. The work is so variable and interesting and the team at Pacific are fantastic to deal with”.
Mystique says: “Have and believe in your motivations for why you want to become one.”
Marianne says: “I’d always been a fast typist right from school, and I had previously worked as a dictaphone typist, so it was something that I knew I could do well.”
Are you a budding typing contractor who just needs that final “push” to take the plunge? Mel, Mystique and Marianne are extremely experienced typing contractors who love their work, because it gives them freedom and flexibility, and enables them to successfully balance family, community and work life. Click here to find out more about becoming a typing contractor with Pacific NZ.
