Data entry can be a satisfying and rewarding job, however, it’s a highly competitive industry and you could find yourself competing with hundreds of other candidates for your dream data entry job.
When you’re putting in your application, how do you make your resume stand out from the crowd?
The key is to show your potential employer that you have a wealth of skills that are relevant to data entry work.
Some skills, such as being a fast and accurate typist or having a detailed knowledge of data entry software are perhaps quite obvious, but here we will list in detail an abundance of skills and assets that are relevant to the data entry industry, that will make your resume stand head and shoulders above the other applicants’.
Perhaps you already have some of these abilities and essential qualities but would not have thought of listing them on your resume, or maybe you’ll find some key skills that you can learn and further boost your chances of grabbing the perfect data entry job.
Let’s delve in…
Speedy typing skills
As we’ve already mentioned it, let’s start with perhaps the most obvious skill that will help in securing a data entry position, being able to type quickly.
There are many data entry jobs out there with a focus on ensuring data is input at a speedy rate.
With huge quantities of data to be dealt with, some employers will be looking for staff that can work fast.
There are plenty of online tests out there where which will calculate your typing speed in words per minute.
If your results are on the low side, then practice, practice, practice. Typing at speed is definitely a skill you can learn.
Accurate typing skills
Being a fast typist is good, but it will all come falling down if your speedily typed work is full of errors.
Accuracy is paramount when it comes to data entry, and so as a skill, faultless typing is perhaps even more important than rapid typing.
Again, practice makes perfect, and you’ll find courses online that will push you to achieve a high level of accuracy when typing at speed.
Excellent proofreading ability
Quality is so important in this field.
We can all make mistakes, but not all of us have the best skills for spotting and correcting these errors.
It can be tempting to rush on to the next task, but it pays to check all your work, particularly when accuracy is vital.
Be efficient, yet unhurried.
Take time to step back from your work, go back over it, and check for all those minor errors that can creep in.
A misplaced apostrophe, an extra 0 in a monetary amount. The smallest of mistakes can have huge consequences in the world of data entry.
Be sure to make good use of all the tools at your disposal such as spelling and grammar checking software. We recommend starting with (the free version) of Grammarly at a minimum.
Knowledge of related software and platforms
Data entry is always going to involve some sort of software or online tools.
While a particular company may have proprietary software, there’s a good chance that you’ll be asked to use tools and programs that are readily available.
If you are already familiar with these products or even have expert in-depth knowledge of them, you’ll be able to dive straight into the job without the need for excessive training.
That is going to be very attractive to potential employers. So, it’s a good idea to take time to learn the ins and outs of the most popular spreadsheets, databases and word processing software.
But also, don’t forget the complementary tools that are likely to be required for the job such as communication and collaboration tools.
Every extra package you learn is a bonus point for your resume.
Up-to-date skills
Following on from our earlier point, it’s also important to keep up with the latest releases.
It’s all well and good having a deep knowledge of Microsoft Word for example, but that becomes less useful if you gained this knowledge on a course ten years ago.
Software moves at a fast pace and your know-how can quickly become outdated.
Scripting and programming abilities
While the link between data entry and programming may not be immediately obvious, there can be quite a bit of crossover.
These skills can be put to effective use for automating processes and analyzing data.
So, if you have any coding skills, don’t forget to put this on your data entry resume, and if you don’t, then why not learn something new and add programming to your list of talents?
Self-motivation and distraction avoidance
Many data entry jobs are remote positions.
While this may sound wonderful at first, working from home doesn’t suit everyone.
So, think realistically about this. Do you have the skills needed to be successful? Is your environment currently geared up to be a work-from-home location?
You need self-motivation to get up and work every morning.
One of the benefits of working remotely is being able to drop in and out of the working day, to complete household chores or take a break whenever you like, but if you’re a procrastinator, you could find that your day disappears in a blur of housework and coffee breaks.
If you find you’re not good at time management, putting together a timetable and scheduling breaks can be beneficial.
Being calm and stress-free
Working well under pressure is actually an important ability for anyone working in data entry.
While there are many benefits of this type of work, it can also be tedious and stressful at times.
It can be repetitive, you may have tight deadlines, and you may feel overwhelmed with the sheer quantity of data that needs to be dealt with.
If you’re the sort of person who is calm under pressure, you’ll be a valuable data entry employee.
Learning mindfulness techniques and knowing when to take breaks is so important. A positive attitude works wonders.
Previous experience
Obviously, if you have any relevant experience in the data entry field, it’s vital that you mention this on your resume.
Employers love experienced staff, so it gives you a clear head start.
But experience can be a Catch-22 situation.
You need experience to get a job, but you can’t get a job because you haven’t got any experience.
The key here is to seek out experience anywhere you can. Data is everywhere, that’s something to bear in mind.
Do you have family members or friends who need a little help with their business? Or you could contact charities and offer your time as a data entry volunteer.
This could certainly be time well invested in your future if it helps you get your first paying data entry job.
Even if you’re primarily looking for a full-time position, don’t dismiss casual or short-term data entry work, it could be the foot in the door you’re looking for with regard to experience.
