Data Entry Jobs

Data entry jobs are located in nearly every industry, business and organization. The total number of jobs is expected to decline slightly, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, as people leave data entry jobs for others, these positions open up. A large percentage of these jobs are work at home jobs.

What is a data entry job?

Data entry involves taking information from one form and putting it into another, usually into a computer program. The information may come from written notes and lists, spreadsheets, or database entries. The data to be handled may be names and addresses, financial information or other sets of numbers and symbols, medical records, or collected comments from a survey. People in this position also must be able to do some basic manipulation of the data and proofread what has been entered. Another name for the job is information processing.

What are the qualifications for the job?

The highest qualifications for a data entry job are speed and accuracy. A person desiring a data entry position must be a fast typist and ten-keyer, and be accurate and meticulous. The ability to look at information in one form and quickly transfer it to a computer is essential. The job requires at least a high school diploma or equivalent, and many positions also need advanced typing training or learning computer programs, such as spreadsheets and databases. If you are looking for a work at home job, you will need an up-to-date computer with the required software and a high speed Internet connection.

What is the work environment?

A person in a data entry job typically works in an office environment, spending all day working on computer keyboards. Many positions offer the chance to work from home. You must be sure to have a well-lit space, comfortable chair, and ergonomic desk and computer set up. Most jobs will cover Monday through Friday, business hours, but in some jobs, overtime is a possibility. Some are part time jobs.

What is the job outlook?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of data entry jobs is decreasing some. More workers are putting data in on their own, including many managers and supervisors. But there will still be a need for data entry workers, because more data is generated every day and jobs open up as workers advance to other positions.

Data entry workers can be promoted to supervisory positions or to other jobs within a company.