A minimum of five years’ typing experience is required. For our legal department, we ask for a minimum of 10 years’ legal secretarial experience.

Specialism is required in one of the following fields: property (surveying or estate agency), legal, medical, financial or interviews as well as a minimum typing speed of 70 wpm. A clear grasp of English grammar is critical, as is prior experience working in a UK office. Two references from previous employers will be required.

If your application is successful, a typing test will be used to establish your skill level. Once you’re a member, you will be allocated your own typist page on FileManager. From here you will be able to access online resources, read the quarterly OutSec Typist Newsletter and securely upload and download files from this page. Your Head of Department will work with you to identify which clients are best suited to your abilities and you will be given additional client-specific training as needed.

OutSec complies with the Data Protection Act and you will be required to sign both a Confidentiality Agreement as well as a Code of Professional Conduct and Business Practice Statement which outlines the legal Code of Ethics that all freelance personnel must adhere to.

A Computer
A good reliable up-to-date Windows-platform computer installed with Microsoft Word 2002. Windows Vista has some problems associated with Internet Explorer7 and will require you to use another browser such as FireFox or Opera. You will be required to download and install a Java applet that will provide access to an interface between your computer and OutSec FileManager. OutSec FileManager can operate with Apple Macs with the Java Applet installed.

Broadband Connection
A Broadband internet access package is essential as you will need to be online for the entire period that you offer your services to OutSec. In other words if you offer your services to OutSec for half a day you will need to be online for this whole period in order for OutSec staff to be able to reach you quickly and efficiently. You will therefore need to ensure your connection is a good one as well as ensure that your processor can cope with running multiple programs such as Word, email, transcription software, instant messenger and other software programs as appropriate.

Transcription Program
You will also need a suitable transcription software program that allows the playing back of sound files in conjunction with a foot pedal. The Olympus AS4000 Pro Release 4 is recommended. You can order this equipment direct from the internet if you wish or from local stockists. We can recommend our preferred supplier, DicateIT, www.dictateit.net., telephone 020 72221531. Please ask for Brian Hart. The transcription package includes a foot pedal to plug into your computer, software to install on the computer to enable you to listen to and transcribe voice files, and a set of headphones.

Other universal-type transcription programs are also available. Please ensure that they are able to play both .dss and .wav files as these are the most common file types on FileManager. mp3 and mp4 files are getting popular too so if you have a converter program for these it can be very useful. Free converter software is available on the net. The majority of our clients record on Olympus or Philips machines, although we are getting more sound files from mobile phones now. FileManager will convert the majority of these files into a wav or mp3 format.

Headphones
The standard headphones will only be useful as a spare set in an emergency since their aural quality is poor and they can produce mishears. We recommend:

Audio Technica ATH-M50 Professional Studio Monitor Headphones – £133.99 (special rate of £120 incl VAT and delivery for OutSec typists)
OR if funds are limited at this stage, try the following: Audio Technica ATH-M40FS Precision Headphones – £69

Contact: Tom Macklin at Pro Audio Systems Limited on 0845 1667525

No. Instead, you’d join OutSec as a member. You will be self-employed and invoice your services to OutSec at the end of each month. We would refer UK residents to the Inland Revenue for details of how to set up as self-employed. Typists who work for many clients (e.g., their partner’s firm AND OutSec) may consider starting their own business. For more information, please contact your own accountant. Non-UK residents should also contact their local tax authorities.

At the start of each week, OutSec members submit a form to their Senior Manager detailing their availability for the next seven days. OutSec clients will be selected as most appropriate for particular skills and availability and will be trained to work with them. You’ll have Dropbox access to client files and templates, and you’ll be responsible for transcribing the work according to the customer’s instructions. When a client uploads a sound file for transcription, the Senior Manager will notify you that there is work available. There is no obligation on your part to undertake any work submitted by OutSec. You will be required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement.

Yes. We welcome applications from all parts of the world, subject to you meeting the requirements and having the necessary experience.

We cannot guarantee a minimum volume of work for any particular period due to the nature of outsourcing. However, transcriptionists who consistently deliver high-quality work on time and are available during the working week are generally offered more work. Do not expect to earn a 4-figure income in your first month – it will take time to build up your OutSec client base, and a regular workflow will not be achievable for a few months. However, we have a number of homeworkers who do achieve this income on a monthly basis.

All UK-based typists are paid directly (by internet banking) into UK bank accounts in UK Pounds Sterling. This payment will take place on the 15th of each month, following invoice submission by homeworkers at the end of the previous month. Please note that it is not practical at present for OutSec to accept invoices with VAT added from typists. If you are VAT-registered please discuss this with your Senior Manager before you commence undertaking any work from OutSec. We do not issue cheques or pay cash for services. Overseas typists with UK bank accounts will also be paid in the same way. Other overseas typists will normally be paid through PayPal in the local currency equivalent of the UK Sterling rate (see www.paypal.com). Bank transfers are very expensive and not a viable form of monthly payment. OutSec is a British company and conforms to all local laws. We ask you to declare your income to the Inland Revenue

OutSec knows that if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys! We want the best UK typists and this is reflected in our pay structure which we believe to be very competitive. If you are a fast, accurate typist you should be able to earn temp rates easily. We use a standard formula so you know exactly how much you will earn for each sound file, based on its length. You will be paid on a per-minute basis in exactly the same way as the client is charged.

Yes, we have a number of typists who do this. However, by definition, this means that we can only offer you work that can be done overnight/weekend and therefore this limits what you can earn.

It is the policy of OutSec (“the Company”) to treat all employees and job applicants fairly and equally regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, age, disability or union membership status. Furthermore, the Company will ensure that no requirement or condition will be imposed without justification which could disadvantage individuals purely on any of the above grounds. The policy applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment. The Company will regularly review its procedures and selection criteria to ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and otherwise treated according to their relevant individual abilities and merits. The Company is committed to the implementation of this policy and to a program of action to ensure that the policy is, and continues to be, fully effective. The overall responsibility for the policy lies with Vanessa French, Managing Director. However, all staff are required to comply with the policy and to act in accordance with its objectives so as to remove any barriers to equal opportunity. Any act of discrimination by employees or any failure to comply with the terms of the policy will result in disciplinary action.

First, you need to see the Get Started / Typist Application section at the top right of this page. If there is demand for your services then please complete the online application form there. Note that CVs attached to emails will automatically be deleted. Successful Applicants will be contacted and invited to participate in further assessments. We regret that we are unable to contact unsuccessful applicants. Applications must be submitted on the correct form. The volume of interest in OutSec means that all other correspondence will be disregarded.