Data Entry Operators: Can I Make Good Money?

In todays information age, organizations need to be able to process the rapidly growing amount of information. Data entry operators help to ensure that the information is handled efficiently and effectively.

Job description:

Data entry operators accurately and rapidly transcribe alphanumeric data from computers or other data entry devices to prepare data processing input on, tapes, cards or disks. They key in text into computers, perform clerical duties and operate various machines to help organizations keep up with the demand of this information age. The information may include membership lists, medical records and customers personal information. It is not often that data entry operators are required to access or manipulate the data but they may be asked to do so. In which case, they would manipulate existing data, edit current information, or proofread new material in the database.

Day in the life of a data entry operator:

-Enters routine to complex data for computer input using teleprocessing terminals, key-to-tape, key-to-key, and key-to- diskette or cardpunch machine.
-Follows established guidelines such as formats for entering data.
-After entering data, post to batch ticket or production log such as information as the batch type, quantity, operators name and section, data, number processed and number rejected.
-Identify errors on the source and make the necessary changes.

Requirements
All data entry operators are required to have a high school education. In addition to that they will have to meet the employers keyboarding speed. The typical typing requirements are a typing speed of 45-50 words per minute, the ability to input numbers on a ten-key keyboard by touch, or a data keying speed of 10,000-12,000 keystrokes per hour (about the same as a typing speed of 40-45 words a minute).

Employers are increasingly looking to hire employees with previous training in business machine, word processing and data entry work. Some though, hire trainees and train them on the job. Data entry operators must be able to understand and follow detailed oral and written instructions, perform repetitive tasks accurately, and work well under pressure. Those looking to increase their desirability for employment can do so by improving their skills in keyboarding, spreadsheet, word processing, and data management software through community colleges, distance learning, and temporary help agencies.

Unlike many industries, employment for data entry operators is projected to decline through 2014. Computers are becoming more advanced. There are various programs and devices out there such as barcode scanners, voice recognition technologies, and sophisticated character recognition readers that perform the task without the help of data entry operators. Many organizations will increasingly take advantage of computer networks that allow data to be transmitted electronically and automatically, reducing the demand for data entry operators. Although demand will decline, the need to replace those who transfer and retire will create jobs. Those with expertise in appropriate computer software applications will have the best job opportunities.

Wages:

Workers without experience start at $6.00 an hour and can go up to $11.00 an hour in larger cities. Experienced data operators earn between $7.50 and $17.00 an hour, depending on the field. The annual average for data entry operators is $28,000. High earners make about $43,000 while those in low percentage make about $18,000. Salaries of these wages differ depending on the field.

10 Resources To Boost Your Data Entry Work At Home Jobs

Besides having the necessary skills a data entry work at home agent can greatly increase their job prospects and ultimately their income by having the right equipment.

Letting companies know that you are already set up with the right equipment is a surefire way to say hire me. It lets them know that you are not just another data entry work at home searcher, who wants to sit at home and earn a substantial income. But instead, you are a professional, reliable, candidate that should be taken seriously.

Online, the more serious a client feels about you the better your prospects for continuous jobs, a raise and, in some cases, a few benefits. Heres a way to see how attractive you are as a candidate, take a look at the list below and see how many of the following you have.

1. A computer with high speed internet connection:
Dont walk, run to your nearest office supply location if you dont have your own computer. It will be difficult to land a good pay data entry work at home job without it.

2. A business line:
Having your own toll free number is a major plus. Having a business line, separate from your home or cell phone number, will make you seem more professional.

3. All-in-one:
Sure you can opt for a separate, copier, printer, scanner and fax machine but I dont know too many home offices that can afford that much space. An all-in-one is a good way to get the job done and increase the space in your home office. The fax machine for instance, is heavily relied upon among data entry work at home agents.

4. Optical Character Recognition (OCR):
The faster you can get work done, the better. An OCR is a great time saver. It is a scanner that allows you take a handwritten, type written or printed text and translate it into machine-editable text. If you wrote an article or letter by hand for a client, you could save time by feeding it into an OCR and then editing the file using a word processor.

5. A project manager/calendar system:
Organization is crucial when you are a work at home data entry clerk. An electronic calendar program lets you edit entries, track time, interchange dates, and print hard copies for your records. You can find free versions of these programs from some online search engines.

6. Business cards:
Soliciting your own work is vital to your data entry success. Besides looking online, attending chamber of commerce meetings with business cards ready can introduce you to more people and more clients.

7. A website:
While many data entry work at home agents manage with just an email address, having your own website is an additional benefit. You can send prospective clients there to view past work, your skills, ect. Its like a 24 hour bragging system.

8. Transcribing Machine:
Having a transcribing machine can increase your data entry work at home job prospects. You can transcribe for law firms, religious sermons, focus groups, medical offices, and educational seminars to list a few.

9. Form processing software:
If you are a freelance data entry work at home agent then having form processing software will also widen your job avenue. Most data entry companies provide you with this tool. However, many of them overcharge and of course you need to be wary of scams. Having your own will save you some headache.

10. Book keeping software:
Now that you work from home you are responsible for your own earnings, expenses and taxes. Book keeping software is essential.

The more tools and resources you have to help you do the job, the more data entry work at home jobs you can apply for. Legitimate companies want to work with someone who already has and is proficient with the equipment needed.

4 Things You Need to Do Data Entry Work at Home

Before you start having dreams of earning a great living with work at home data entry, you need to realize that there are few things you’re going to need to get started in the business. Besides having a company to work with, you’ll want to also make sure to have all of the following:

A Reliable Computer

Because all of the work you do is going to involve entering information via your computer, having a reliable system that isn’t going to break down in a couple of weeks or that is so old you can barely get it started is a must. Some companies will even ask for information about the system you are using to ensure they aren’t wasting their time working with someone who will eventually cost them some major delays.

Having a laptop can be one of the most convenient options because you can take your work at home data entry almost anywhere but if money is an object a good desktop can be purchased for very little.

A Good Internet Connection

Most of the work and communication that passes between you and the company will be done via the Internet. If you’re still using dial-up, this can be a problem because those connections can drop very easily. You don’t want that to happen when you’re transmitting several hours of work or when you’re right in the middle of receiving a new assignment.

The best idea is to have dedicated high-speed Internet. Although this service does cost a bit more than dial-up, the prices have come down tremendously in recent years and the technology is now being adopted at a fast rate by most computer users.

Some Typing Experience

Although you can get started doing work at home data entry without any experience, if you want to succeed and to earn a good amount of money, you’ll need to have at least some typing experience. If you’re still hunting and peeking at the keyboard, chances are you will be too slow to meet deadlines or to generate a decent income stream. On the other hand, if you’re one of those people who can type very quickly but ends up making tons of mistakes in the process, you’d be better off learning how to slow down because accuracy is more important than speed when it comes to work at home data entry.

Punctuality

Besides being able to type with relative speed and accuracy, you might benefit from having a few other skills as well. One of them is being punctual. The companies for which you work will have deadlines. While sometimes those deadlines may be flexible enough to cut you a break if you get backed up, many of these companies will demand the work be turned in by the deadline or you may lose the potential for future work. To avoid this problem, make sure you start off by taking on only a few small assignments that you can tackle with no difficulty and gradually increase your work at home data entry work load to make sure you don’t get overwhelmed.