Typing speed

 A data entry job requires you to type large amounts of information, often under tight deadlines. Candidates must have a fast typing speed and good typing accuracy to accomplish this.

The more words per minute you can type, the faster you’ll get the job done. While there are no hard and fast words-per-minute requirements, a candidate should have a minimum typing speed of 40 words per minute (WPM) to achieve a standard efficiency level as a data entry operator. Some employers may even require a speed of 70 to 90 WPM for higher-paying jobs. Check out free online typing tests to learn your current typing speed.

If you want to land a job as a data entry professional, you’ll want to hone your typing skills.

Like any other skill, fast and accurate typing really just comes down to practice; the more you do it, the better and faster you’ll get. However, a few additional tips can help you improve your keyboard skills more intentionally.

• Use all 10 fingers while typing. This method helps you type faster than if you were typing with just two fingers, like most beginners do. You can find a number of tutorials online to learn how to position your fingers for maximum typing efficiency.
• Look at the screen, not the keyboard. To be a proficient typist, train yourself to look at the screen while typing and let your fingers find the right keys using muscle memory. Switching between looking at both the keyboard and the screen while typing will slow you down. With enough practice and a conscious effort to keep your eyes focused only on the screen, you’ll be able to type without looking at the keyboard.
• Use shortcuts. Computer shortcuts can save you time spent switching between the keyboard and mouse. For example, use the TAB or ENTER buttons to move to the next line. Excel has many shortcuts to make your data entry process quicker.
• Practice, practice, practice. Regular typing practice will make the most significant difference in your speed. Fifteen to 20 minutes of typing per day is a great start, as it can help you build muscle memory and improve your typing speed and accuracy.

Typing accuracy

While you’ll likely need to have fast typing skills to meet the deadline for the data entry work assigned to you, also ensure that your typing is accurate and has few (if any) mistakes. Because data analysis serves as the basis for crucial business decisions, an error in data entry can lead to incorrect analyses and poor decisions.

However, work mistakes happen from time to time, no matter your profession. In data entry jobs, the two most common mistakes are:

• Transcription errors. These are caused by pressing the wrong key while typing. For example, you might make a typo or spelling mistake or miss a number or decimal. These errors usually occur when typing hastily.
• Transposition errors. These are when you accidentally switch characters or digits while typing, a common mistake when working with numbers. For example, you might accidentally type 463588 instead of 436588 in an accounting data entry role.

Quality data is critical for sound analysis and strong business decisions. Strive to avoid any mistakes as a data entry clerk.

To help ensure better typing accuracy when working on your data entry job:

• Understand the data’s importance. Knowing the consequences of data entry mistakes can help you strive to be thorough with your data entry process.
• Step away from your work before proofreading. It can be difficult to spot a typing mistake when you’ve been working long hours and your eyes are strained from continuously staring at the screen. Take a break from work before coming back to edit with a fresh perspective.
• Proofread your work. When you improve your typing speed, you’ll free up time to run through your work and correct any mistakes you made along the way.
• Ask for more time. Typing in a hurry often leads to errors and decreased accuracy. If you think you’re being rushed or if the workload is too much to handle, ask your employer or client for more time to ensure accurate work.
• Maintain a sound working environment. Disturbances and distractions frequently cause errors. Work in a quiet space and block out unwanted noises to concentrate better.