Data entry is a not-so-popular type of home-based career that involves various clerical duties and data collection activities sought by enterprises either locally or overseas. This position is referred to as data encoders or data entry clerks. It is definitely a legitimate form of work-at-home job, but data entry doesn’t have enough room for growth.
What is Data Entry Work?
Online data entry work involves inputting the gathered data into a computerized database, including spreadsheets and information tables. Data encoders provide the needed assistance to various companies and organizations with regard to data entry activities and processing of gathered information.
Individuals hired to perform this job are required to type the information from scanned images, printed receipts, or any hard copy into a computer for a specific purpose. In today’s business settings, you won’t be able to find an organization or business that doesn’t consolidate its collected data.
Requirements to Work as Data Entry Clerk
If you are interested in working as a data encoder, you should possess several basic skills and working tools, such as:
- Basic computing skills and analytical skills
- Proficiency in word processing, document presentation, and spreadsheet creation
- Fast typing abilities
- High-speed stable internet connection
- Good-working computer with moderate hardware processor (not necessarily for gaming or graphic designing)
- Personal contact numbers or email address
- Excellent communication skills
- Great organizational skills
In a data entry work, a data encoder must be a fast typist and the candidate is required to pass a typing examination before getting hired. The person should be able to interpret data from various sources, such as hand-written notes, online forms, survey questionnaires and even pictures. This position might also include converting data from raw footage and audio clips depending on work requirement.
Educational Requirements
As a minimum requirement, applicants for data entry job are asked to submit a high school diploma or any equivalent education level. Some employers, however, may look for potential candidates having a graduate degree of any field. Another important point for interested candidates to be considered is having at least one year of relevant experience related to data encoding.
Holding a vocational certificate might not be needed, but this will certainly improve your chances to be hired over other candidates. You may also be required to demonstrate your typing speed and accuracy by passing a typing test.
Job assignments may vary depending on your level of experience and ability to handle more complex projects. More experienced data entry specialists are tasked to perform more complex data interpretation and even oversee other “keyers” while new data encoders might only be given huge volumes of typing duties as a start.
What are the Usual Jobs of Data Entry Work?
Some data entry work may require additional skills, especially those job-specific tasks, which allow you to earn more. Here are some of the following tasks an online data entry clerk is expected to perform:
- Verifying and editing data
- Survey form filling
- Reviewing data (proofreading)
- Audio and video transcribing
- Creating documents, spreadsheet, PowerPoint presentations, databases and other forms
Salary Range of Data Entry Work
The average annual salary for a data encoder in the Philippines is Php 178,287.00 or Php 14,857.25 per month according to PayScale. Some data entry workers earn an average of Php 10,000 to Php 15,484 based on experience and job requirements. But they can receive additional cash compensation through incentives, performance bonuses and other arrangements.
Data entry salary may vary according to a lot of contributing factors, including employment status as an independent contractor or employee, required skill level and the typing speed at which the person can finish the job, but data entry jobs pay modest wages in general. You’ll likely encounter a data entry work scam if any business or organization promises to give you a huge pay for data encoding.
Payment structures for a data entry job typically include per-piece payment, keystrokes per hour/minute and hourly rates. For the transcription job, you can be paid per-work completed or per audio minute. Since transcription requires more skill and accuracy from data entry specialists, it pays more than ordinary data entry responsibilities.
Sites to Apply for a Data Entry Work
If you have basic computer skills, you may consider visiting these online companies that hire data entry specialists for their clients:
1. SmartLocating
SmartLocating hires data entry specialists who can perform data encoding tasks at home, but you should be 18 years old and above to be considered. Data entry work involves gathering data of home listings either for lease or sale.
2. SmartCrowd
Formerly known as VirtualBee, SmartCrowd is a popular online organization that regularly hires data entry specialists to carry out data entry work at home. Data entry projects often include audio transcription, database management, data encoding and data processing. Qualified data encoders will be required to log on to the Virtual Bee system before they can start working on available tasks.
3. Xerox
Xerox is constantly hiring data entry workers with a diverse range of expertise from fast typing to audio transcribing. It is best to check its career page for new data entry projects on a regular basis.
4. Clickworker
Clickworker is a popular outsourcing company that offers a broad range of created services, such as content writing, audio/video transcription and data entry jobs.
5. Fiverr
Fiverr is an in-demand freelance marketplace where you can promote your typing and transcribing skills on top of other specialized skills you may have.
Aside from the above mentioned companies, you may also try some popular freelance sites and online job portals where you can find a lot of data entry gigs.
Here they are:
- TDEC
- Jobstreet
- Craigslit
- Onlinejobs
- Outsourcely
- 2nd Office
- BestJobs
- People Per Hour
- Upwork
- Microworkers
- Freelancer
- Monster
- Indeed
- HiringHub
- Glassdoor
- Jora
- EasyOutsource
- Careerjet
Data entry is one of those virtual clerical jobs that can pay a bit well, but you won’t get rich or promoted fast. But working as a data entry specialist can give you a good head start before you decide to jump off to a new exciting freelance career later on. Companies are always on a lookout for individuals who can render impeccable data entry services. With the tools available today, anybody can make a fulltime living out of being a data entry professional. You don’t even have to be an expert in it. All you need is a super sharp presence of mind and a fast internet connection.
The scope in data entry is perpetually widening, showing even more promise as we move into a new decade of advancements and evolutions in business and technology.