Hi Leslie, what is your profession and how did you get into this field?

Legal-transcript Proofreader; Was a regular proofreader; looked for freelance and found out about proofreading transcripts.

Tell us about yourself, who are you outside of your job?

A wife, mom, grama, and wine-loving lady.

What's the most unexpected place you've ever had to work?

After bank teller school, I was assigned to a bank in a horrible part of the city. I was so afraid; however, it was one of the best jobs I ever had.

If your job had a warning label, what would it say?

"Will steal your pet if thought to be neglected."

What's one thing people always get wrong about what you actually do?

People think I'm a transcriber.

What's the weirdest question a client has ever asked you?

I can't come up with one right now.

If you could give your first-year-on-the-job self one piece of advice, what would it be?

You'll soon have more clients than you thought possible. This job is for real.

Tell us about the craziest deadline you've ever hit. How'd you pull it off?

I'm an early-to-bed person. I had an ASAP proofing deadline so I drank coffee and pulled a late-nighter. To make myself feel less alone (and to not feel like I was the only person awake in the world), I went on FB to find the green dots of the folks on my friends list who were still awake. It actually helped.

What's something in your car or your bag right now that most people wouldn't expect?

A spray bottle of water because I'm always too hot.

What's a "small" detail in your work that actually makes or breaks a case, that nobody outside the industry realizes matters?

Seems small, but double- and triple-checking dates and numbers.

Describe your job in exactly five words.

Best job I've ever had.

What's one piece of advice you wish you had ignored?

None I can think of.

What's the best marketing idea you've ever tried?

It's not terrific, but it worked: subscribing to Stenovate got me my first client.

What's a totally random skill your job has accidentally made you great at?

I've read enough medical transcripts that I now am able to perform minor surgery. (Kidding, but I do feel like I know a lot about the medical field.)

What's the longest you've ever had to wait for someone to show up — and what did you do to pass the time?

I read whatever I can get my hands on.

Have you ever been mistaken for something you're not (a lawyer, a cop, security) because of what you were carrying or wearing?

No.

What's one piece of jargon from your world that would confuse literally anyone outside it?

It's not jargon, but few people outside of what I do know what "scopist" means.

If your job were a reality TV show, what would the tagline be?

Reality TV is revolting.

What's a moment on the job that reminded you why the work actually matters?

Not a moment, but I've done a lot of car-crash cases, and it's important that the problem of the ever-increasing number of drivers not paying attention to the road be known.

What's the proudest "nobody will ever know I did this, but I did" moment of your career?

Not this career. I'd worked in Social Services and I have personally helped a client or two. I was well-liked by these sweet people whose lives were difficult.

If you weren't doing this job, what's the one career you'd have chased instead?

Speech therapist.

What do you wish more people understood about the person who shows up to do this job?

Not everyone can do this. It takes time, effort, intelligence, skill and dedication.

Favorite local restaurant?

I live in the middle of nowhere, so there are few restaurants and none that I'd label a favorite.

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