subject: What Does It Take To Start Data Entry Work At Home? [print this page] Data entry work at home can take several forms. If you are a clerk looking for clerical work, you can work as a typist, a transcriptionist, a word processor or an exclusive data entry clerk.
If you are a data entry clerk, you will handle tasks such as entering data or information into databases, several existing programs, programs that are being constructed or programs that are being enhanced. Many individuals who work as a data entry clerk enjoys an average pay rate of US $28,000 per year.
At most, employers are interested in hiring data entry clerks for full time. However, for individuals who are more interested in data entry work at home, they can choose to be a full timer or a part-timer depending on their schedule and the need for tasks from an employer.
The type of information you will be typing depends on the website owner's need or the company that needs clerical works done. For example, you will be typing the same type of data everyday for a credit company, a government agency or a hospital. Sometimes, your tasks include entering combinations of letters and numbers.
To be successful in becoming a data entry clerk, you will need to assess your skills and qualifications. Education is not a primary requirement, although most people who engage in data entry work at home have a high school diploma. More than the educational background, you need to possess several skills, which are:
1. Good typing skills. Since you will be dealing with letters and numbers, and working on the keyboard all throughout your duty, you are expected to have high speed in typing. Almost all clerks are touch typist, particularly 10-key typist.
Integral to the high speed typing skill is the accuracy of the words typed or entered into databases or programs. This is very important because a slight error on a letter, symbol or number may mean a great deal to the entire data. If this happens most often, this may cause you your home based job.
2. Communication skills. You need to have a strong command of the English language and commit almost 0% mistake on the grammar, spelling and punctuation. If you are transcribing a file into a document, your ears are the only source of information to rely on.
You are obliged to transcribe exactly as what you have listened to, using the correct spelling of the word, and the punctuation.
3. Ability to focus. Individuals who engage in data entry work at home admit that they need to concentrate especially if they are doing transcriptions. Your mind should be focused on what you are listening to.
Today, there are many offers on the internet for people who would like to earn additional income by having data entry work at home. However, the risks are manifold. While it is true that a clerk can earn an hourly rate of as much as $20, you need to verify the legitimacy of the website.
Many have fallen into the traps of earning potentially high, only to find out later that they were scammed, and did not receive their compensation.
