In some ways, data entry is not a difficult field to get into.
There are usually no formal qualifications required, so you won’t need to spend years in college in order to work in data entry.
However, this is a double-edged sword, as it makes data entry work accessible to almost anyone, and so there can be a lot of competition for data entry jobs.
But there is a lot of work out there for someone with the right skills, so with a good resume, there’s no reason why you can’t get into data entry and become a data entry specialist.
Ensure you have the right skills
You may already have the skills needed for the job, but you can always improve your abilities to give your resume a boost and increase your productivity levels.
While you most probably will not need a degree to take up a data entry position, any potential employer will appreciate seeing that you can display a certain level of skill by having acquired some data entry certifications or completed relevant data entry courses.
Having your high school diploma will put you in good stead, as this will verify that you have studied math and English to a decent level.
If you have some spare time, it could certainly be beneficial to take courses in basic office skills or even computer programming.
Anything that will make your resume stand out from the crowd.
Gain experience
Having prior experience gives potential employers the reassurance that you have the right skills for the job and won’t need extensive training.
So any experience you can get will look good on your resume.
If you don’t already have experience, now is the time to take any data entry work you can find, no matter how short the task.
You may be ideally looking for full-time positions, but in the meantime, don’t overlook any short-term contracts, it’s all good experience!
Try asking around friends and family to see if they need any data entry help, or offer your services to a charity as an excellent, worthwhile investment of your time.
(You can also get a data entry job with no experience!)
Learn the most popular software
A great deal of data entry jobs involve utilizing software that is commonly used.
By keeping your skills in these programmes up to date, you ‘ll be able to jump straight into your tasks and work fast.
So, take time to learn about all the features and new additions of the most popular platforms such as Microsoft Office and Google Docs.
Focus on word processing, spreadsheets and database software.
A data entry job will require you to work quickly, so if you need little training, and are already familiar with the systems used, this will make you highly attractive to potential employers.
Become a fast and accurate typist
As we’ve already mentioned, data entry is a fast-paced business. You may have tight deadlines and large workloads.
Being a fast typist will ensure you can meet any deadline, but this must not be at the expense of accuracy.
It’s easy to make errors when we’re working fast, but with data entry, both speed and quality will be vital.
Improving your typing skills is easy though. The more you work on it, the better you will get.
Look for tests online that will measure both your speed and your accuracy, so you can see your improvement as you continue to practice.
Have excellent time management skills
Many data entry jobs involve working from home.
This has a lot of advantages. You don’t have to travel to work, you can be flexible with your time, and you can work in your pyjamas should you choose to!
However, our homes are also full of distractions.
There’s no one looking over your shoulder to tell you off if you’re browsing Instagram, and there’s also the temptation to do some household chores during your working day.
Now while it can be one of the benefits of working from home, to be able to put a load of washing on in the middle of the day, you can also find you’re losing a lot of working time by constantly doing other things.
Working from home is not ideal for procrastinators or those who are easily distracted!
It may help you to make a timetable, to set yourself breaks, to allocate time for lunch, or jobs around the home.
Fine-tune your resume
Data entry jobs get a lot of applicants. There are few requirements with regard to specific skills, experience or qualifications, and often there are no geographical limitations either.
Theoretically, you’re competing for a position against the entire world.
So, you need an excellent resume!
It’s certainly worth creating a resume that you use specifically for applying for data entry jobs, rather than using a generic one featuring unrelated experience and skills.
Don’t make it too lengthy, but ensure you’ve included everything that showcases your skills such as courses you’ve taken and other data entry experience.
When sending your resume, be sure to also send a well-crafted cover letter written specifically for the data entry role you are applying for.
Look for work everywhere
Signing up with a job vacancy website can be a little time-consuming, and it can be tempting to stick with the first one you find, but different employers will use different platforms, so it’s wise to join every site you can find in order to discover the most opportunities.
As well as the more traditional websites listing full or part-time data entry positions, you may also like to take a look at freelance options.
There are several sites that list data entry work, and while these jobs may be short-term, sometimes they can lead to longer-term opportunities, and of course, you can take on several smaller tasks, to give you variety and reduce the boredom you can experience when the work becomes repetitive.
Also, don’t forget to ask around. If you know anyone who runs a business, there may be opportunities out there too.
If you can get in before a job is even advertised, then you’re on to a good thing!
Apply fast
Our final tip is don’t hesitate! A lot of data entry work is very time sensitive. It needs to be done quickly and the positions will often be filled fast.
Get your application in as soon as you see the job advertised.
It could even be the case that the work is allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis.
So don’t put it off, the more applications you make, the greater your chance of scoring a data entry job and furthering your career in this interesting industry.