Your boss has just laid you off (he was a knucklehead anyway). After weeks of being unemployed, you start thinking about venturing into a telecommuting career. You begin researching, out of the many telecommute options, which one will best match your skill-set and experience. Like many people who want to telecommute, you want something that is 1) very easy to do, 2) doesn’t take up a lot of your time, and 3) doesn’t demand specialization.
The truth is you may be thinking about a data entry career.
What career is this and what is its job functions?
As its name suggests, data entry is encoding data, usually into a computer program like Excel or PowerPoint. Data entry encompasses a broad field that sometimes includes medical transcriptionists who have to transform audio into readable texts. Though it may seem like an easy job, the truth is data entry requires a high level of accuracy and concentration. You may also have to do the research yourself.
What are the specific benefits of pursuing this career?
It is really a very easy job, once you get the hang of it. In fact, you can accomplish a lot in a few short hours of working. Data entry may not pay much as other telecommuting jobs, but it gives you a chance to work with several clients, all at the same time. Moreover, it’s one job you can do anytime and anywhere.
Why is this type of career in demand right now?
Data entry is a routine task that may take up a lot of time for clients who have other things to do. Thus, they pass it on to you. Moreover, those clients who include research in a data entry description usually need you for market or competitor analysis.
What type of person would love this career?
If you don’t mind doing the same job over and over (and over again), then you may find data entry a great job for you. You should also enjoy research.
What are some disadvantages/obstacles in this career?
It may not be mentally draining, but it’s physically tiring. Many typists end up with painful hands and wrists, so exercise is highly necessary. It also requires a high degree of accuracy as one mistake can lead to huge repercussions. There’s also the threat of falling into scams; a lot of online scamming jobs target typists. Moreover, as new technologies are available, such as voice recognition software, the job itself may be threatened.
What skills do you need?
You don’t have to hold a college degree to become a data entry encoder, clerk, or typist, unless you’re trying to specialize in a field, such as encoding programs or engaging in medical transcription. What’s important is that you can guarantee accuracy to your clients and employers. You must also be fast and an excellent researcher. It is necessary to know how to use tools such as spreadsheets, word-processing programs, and database programs.
How do you break into this career?
There are many data entry jobs available, so finding one shouldn’t be difficult. You can also find ad agencies and outsourcing agencies who hire data entry workers on a project or part-time basis.
Who usually hires in this field?
- Health care industries
- Travel agencies
- Government
- Other types of businesses
- Website owners
- Blog owners
- Programmers
What is the average pay rate / salary?
Upon entry level, you can take earn around $25,000 a year. Those who have a couple of years’ experience can earn $30,000, while veterans can expect to earn close to $40,000. If you want to earn more, you can take other roles such as virtual assistance.
How and where to find jobs / clients?
The Internet is a goldmine when it comes to data entry jobs. Just make sure you can properly assess the offers available. The basic rule is if they’re too good to be true, then they probably are. A great website to find daily data entry jobs is DataEntryJobs101.com, which compiles freelance data entry jobs into specific categories and tasks. You can also search CraigsList.org, but the big challenge is avoiding scams.
