Transcribing Handwritten Text For The First Time

Since I started read.cash a year ago, I barely open my Upwork account not unless if I got notified of a job offer. Honestly, I stopped sending applications to different clients as I'm already happy with my current status now. I avoid stressing myself by working with different clients. I already tried this one before and unfortunately, it wasn't my thing.

Now, I focused more on this platform while still working for 10 hours a week. Then last August 23, I received another invitation after a long time. And for the first time, it was for a data entry job and not related to writing or Wikipedia. This time, all I need to do is to transcribe required information from handwritten (in English) medical case records and type the extracted information into an electronic template using Google forms online.

The budget was set for one hour’s work. There were 10 medical case records, all handwritten, and scanned in PDF format. The chosen freelancers were expected to submit anything they could accomplish in one hour. After reading the job posting, I decided to respond to the invitation.

After I sent my reply, the client responded the next day. I didn't expect I would get the job but lucky me, I did.

So after a week, the client sent me the instructions that I needed to finish in 24 hours. I didn't work on it right away as I had a mild headache at that time. I took a day off and had to do the work the next day. Transcribing text seems easy but not when you're dealing with a doctor's handwriting.

I did my best, but I messed up. Out of 10 case records, I only finished 3. Each case record has multiple appointments. This means each case record would take some time to finish since there were several fields to fill up. And with their handwriting, it would be hard to fill that up, especially because it was about medical notes.

Actually, I almost quit on this task, but I decided to continue coz trying is better than quitting. After 1 hour of trying my best, I finished 3 cases and submitted them right away. I also decided to message the client and made a note about it.

I felt guilty for not be able to finish at least 5, so I decided to apologize. I'm glad the client responded after that message coz I felt relieved after that. I don't know if apologizing would make any difference, but I just felt so bad about it. Lol.

Despite the epic failure data entry job, I'm still glad I get paid. I'm just worried about the feedback, though, but whatever that is, I accept it with open arms.

Closing thoughts

It was my first data entry and text transcription job ever. Just too bad I wasn't able to do deliver what I was expected to do. Oh well, that's just a charge to experience.