Data entry professionals input data into a database or form for easy access also known as data processing. Data processors and data entry operators have always been very popular because of the high demand and number of jobs available. The low experience and moderate pay make data entry jobs a very good choice for job seekers just entering the job market and experienced applicants can receive over $20 an hour with remote workers having the flexibility to work any part of the day they choose.
Education Requirements
Data entry workers do not need any special classes and college courses to do their job. A high school diploma is all that is required to perform data entry. Students and recent graduates can get work as a data entry operator with no prior experience. Mid-level and senior-level professionals with over 5 years of experience can command high pay and long term contracts with steady work.
Preferred Skills
Typing speeds of over 45 words per minute and a fast typing speed is recommended. Data entry workers also need to have good proofreading skills and able to pay close attention to detail. Most skills can be improved on the job and every data entry related skill becomes better the more years the operator is on the job. Most basic administrative skills can be used for data entry work so if you have clerical or typing experience, these skills can also be used in data entry.
Software Needed
Any basic text editing software will work for data entry. However MS Office is the most preferred because of the popularity of the software. Almost every company today uses some form of MS Office in their business. MS Office provides everything a modern firm needs from a basic text editor to a spreadsheet program.
Equipment Needed
A PC or laptop is needed as well as a reliable Internet service and a printer. No other equipment is required to perform data entry. Working at home in data entry cost very little with minimal overhead. Most workers already have the necessary software and equipment to get working so most can begin immediately after being hired.
Resume Tips
When creating a resume for a data entry job, making a skill summary is highly recommended aside from the regular employment and education sections. A skill summary allows the candidate to list all the skills they have gathered over the years in data entry work. Always include the typing speed and any extra skills such as customer service, proofreading, writing, attention to detail and speed to help employers assess your qualifications.
Best Places to Search
To find data entry jobs you can do at home, the best places to search are on work at home job boards such as Craiglist and HEA-Employment.com or in your local job listings. Most data entry work offered is onsite, but many employers are considering candidates that work from home to save the company time and money. Most of the employees working from home or telecommuting today are employees that have been working for the company for many years and the company has decided to let their workers work from home or telecommute for convenience.
Type of Jobs Available
Data entry skills can be transferred to all kinds of positions such as typing, research, transcription, and customer service. When searching for data entry jobs, you should also search for these jobs as well because not all data entry positions will be listed under data entry and getting a basic job where you only do data entry is becoming more and more difficult with most employers preferring candidates with a wide range of experience.
Avoiding Scams
Data entry scams are everywhere because most scam artists understand what work-at-home job seekers are looking for and they place these jobs in large and popular job boards. The descriptions sound like a basic data entry job, but once you contact them, the duties change to a sales or commission related job or a business opportunity. To avoid these scams we recommend only applying for positions that provide full contact details so you can verify the company’s legitimacy.
A company’s profile can let people know immediately what kind of business it is so you can usually tell by the company’s description what kind of employees the company hires, says Marie Surles (CEO and President of HEA-Employment.com, one of the most popular online job sources for legitimate work at home job openings.)
Although getting a data entry job you can do from home is harder than getting one you can do onsite because of the demand, it’s not impossible and it will be a lot easier if job seekers follow the tips above.
Author Bio: Marie Surles is the President of HEA-Employment.com. The company was started in 1997 to provide assistance to job seekers and telecommuters who want to work remotely in their own homes by offering legitimate work-at-home job listings, professional resume services and telecommuting resources for virtual assistants.