Data is everywhere these days – it’s what drives business. But not all information just organizes itself; someone has to input it, sort it, and make sense of it. That’s where data entry clerks come in.
This job has become more important than ever, and there are plenty of opportunities for those who are detail-oriented and skilled at keeping things accurate.
One of the benefits of data entry is flexibility. Some roles allow you to work from home, while others are based in offices across a variety of industries.
Since every business deals with data in some way, data entry clerks are needed almost everywhere.
Most of this work involves entering information into databases, but sometimes, it also involves handling physical documents – such as scanning paper files and converting them into digital files.
And since much of the data being processed is sensitive, confidentiality is a big part of the job.
Keeping information secure isn’t just about doing things the right way – it’s about making sure the company follows all the necessary data protection rules.
If all of this sounds interesting to you, then becoming a data entry clerk might be the next step in your career. Read on to learn more.
How to Become a Data Entry Clerk
Where to Start – Data Entry Clerk Educational Qualifications
Grow Your Skills – More Data Entry Clerk Requirements
Improve Your Basic Skills and Attention to Detail
Focus on Common Data Entry Software and Stay Up-to-Date
Be Knowledgeable About Communication and File-Sharing Software
Learn About Data Privacy and Security
Put Extra Efforts in Programming Skills and More
Gain Experience and Strengthen Your Resume
Work to Increase Your Attention to Detail
Get the Right Mindset
A Career in Data Entry Could Be Just Around the Corner
Where to Start – Data Entry Clerk Educational Qualifications
The good news is that many data entry clerk jobs do not require a college degree, but it can certainly be advantageous, especially if you have a degree in a related field.
However, it is possible to enter a data entry career with just a high school diploma as the minimum educational qualification.
Upgrading Your Skills – More Requirements for Data Entry Clerks
The more relevant skills and qualifications you have, the more attractive you will be to potential employers, so you should invest time in upgrading your skills.
There are many data entry certification courses, both at community colleges and online, that can fit in with other obligations and increase your chances of getting a job in data entry.
Let’s take a look at some areas of study that can put your data entry clerk job application ahead of the competition…
Improve your basic skills and attention to detail
Good English and math skills will demonstrate a certain level of education and make you a good fit for a data entry clerk position.
Working on your spelling and grammar will not only help you improve your accuracy on the job but will also ensure that your application and correspondence are professional and accurate, which will increase your chances of being invited for an interview.
Focus on common data entry software and keep it up to date.
Being familiar with the most commonly used data entry software will help potential employers understand that you will need minimal training and that you can get started right away.
You probably already use some of the most popular software used for data entry, such as Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel, but it is always worth building on that knowledge.
You can find guides and courses online to learn more about these popular programs.
Why not make yourself the office expert that everyone comes to for advice when they have a problem with Excel or can’t find a specific feature when creating a document?
Also, software can change a lot over time, so be sure to keep up with the times and find out what’s new with each iteration of the most popular data entry software.
Be knowledgeable about communication and file-sharing software
Of course, as with any job, communication and collaboration can play a big role in this role.
Having sufficient knowledge of popular file-sharing and communication systems will help you jump right into your new role without having to spend time learning about unfamiliar software.
Learn about data privacy and security
When you work with data, there will also be a huge focus on protecting that data.
This is where research becomes invaluable, providing you with the knowledge you need to assure potential employers that you fully understand the legal obligations to ensure data security.
Learning how to keep data secure and what legal requirements businesses have to protect the information they hold will make your resume look effective and impressive when applying for data entry jobs.
Having a working knowledge of the most popular communication and sharing solutions, such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Dropbox, or Trello, will stand you in good stead in many data entry positions.
Go further with programming skills and more
If you really want to stand out from the crowd, you can further enhance your skills by taking specialist courses.
Programming courses can be extremely beneficial, look into SQL or Python to gain relevant skills for a career as a data entry clerk.
Or look for specialist courses that are directly targeted at data entry fields, such as database management or data analytics.
Gain experience and strengthen your resume
Experience in relevant fields is always attractive to potential employers.
Sure, when you’re trying to break into a particular industry, you may have a lot of data entry clerk qualifications, but gaining that crucial experience can be difficult.
Now is the time to gain some data entry experience. Check out freelancing websites to pick up small data entry jobs in your spare time.
It’s all great experience and will look good on paper. Check out volunteer data entry positions. Most businesses need data entry clerks, so why not reach out to charities and non-profits to see if you can help them out? You’ll gain real-life data entry knowledge and do something valuable.
This practical experience will not only help you in the future for data entry jobs, but volunteering for a charity will also look good on your resume.
Work on your attention to detail
Accuracy is extremely important when it comes to data entry.
Ultimately, perhaps the most important skill for a data entry clerk is attention to detail.
Hopefully, when you are looking for a position in this field, you will already have good skills in this area, but this can always be increased.
Improving your typing speed can be extremely beneficial while focusing on the level of accuracy.
There are plenty of typing tests online that will help you increase your speed and reduce errors.
Make it a habit to double-check all your work to ensure the highest level of accuracy.
If you incorporate this into your daily life, your daily correspondence, etc., it will become second nature in a workplace where data accuracy is important.
Get back in the right mindset
Finally, it’s important to be mentally prepared for a career as a data entry clerk.
While it may seem like a simple task at first glance, the level of focus required when working with such a high level of accuracy day in and day out can make it quite mentally challenging.
You need to have confidence that you can handle stress levels and remain calm when things go wrong.
Advanced problem-solving skills will be a great asset to any data entry clerk candidate, along with excellent communication, organization, and time management skills.
A career in data entry can be a long way off.
As you can see, there are very few barriers to securing a career as a data entry clerk.
There are many ways to improve your skills and maximize your chances of getting hired.
There are many online learning paths that can easily fit into your current work schedule or work-from-home schedule.
With a positive attitude and a willingness to learn, each new skill you acquire will propel you toward a new career in data entry.
