Data entry as career options

Ranjan K Baruah *

Whenever we come across news paper advertisement or advertisement related to job vacancy, one of the common advertisements is work part time or full time and earn money. Most of these jobs are related to data entry. We might be wondering what it might be.

Data Entry, as the name suggests, is the process of entering data into a computerized database or a spread sheet. In simple it’s a job related to entering data into system .

This profession does not need much qualification but yet skilled people are in demand when it comes to get good remuneration as data entry operator. Data entry profession can be in individual strength or in a big team .There are BPOs involved in data entry related jobs which engages many people.

A data entry person is a member of staff employed to enter or update data into a computer system database, often from paper documents using a keyboard, optical scanner, or data recorder.

The keyboards used can often have specialist keys and multiple colors to help in the task and speed up the work. While requisite skills can vary depending on the nature of the data being entered, few specialized skills are usually required, aside from touch typing proficiency with adequate speed and accuracy.

The ability to focus for lengthy periods is necessary to eliminate or at least reduce errors. When dealing with sensitive or private information such as medical, financial records, etc a person’s character and discretion becomes very relevant as well.

A career into data entry may be enjoying and rewarding if we have good plan for the same. This may be online task or offline tasks. Some entries are made offline while some are made in the online process. There are various types of data such as numbers, addresses and names that are keyed in.

A data entry operator should exhibit proficiency in typing, skill in 10-key and awareness of dynamic and advanced technological developments. Knowledge of different languages apart from English is another added advantage.

Professionals belonging to any academic background can take up a career in Data Entry. Generally, a data entry job does not require any specific educational requirements except for a high speed and accurate typing proficiency. But it is always advisable to have more qualification as one can start own enterprises related to data entry with various skills.

There are some certificate and diploma courses namely Diploma in data Entry Operator Course and Certificate in Data Entry Operator. The foremost and common prerequisite needed for a data entry operator is error free typing, keyboard speed and capacity to interpret data fast. They should also possess sufficient knowledge about Microsoft office applications like word/ excel/ power point etc.

All organisations, from a big corporate office to little retail outlet/ grocery shop are in need of data entry operators who along with entering, maintaining and retrieving data may have to handle daily official work like sending communication, drafting letters etc.

Data entry operators may work in many fields, including banking, insurance, marketing, accounting, human resources, healthcare sector etc.

Some of the popular opportunities related to data entry are available in
data entry for directories and yellow pages;
data entry of medical and insurance claims;
data entry of Surveys and market research results;
data entry of medical records of patients, etc.

One of the best things is that this can be a full time or part time profession. Many students take up data entry assignments to support their education and earn pocket money. Data entry are also needed after survey and research carried by various non government agencies or survey agencies. Interested may follow newspaper advertisements and job portals or similar portals for opportunities.

One must have patience and skill of working hard if they want to be successful in this profession. Good communication skill and networking would help one to get new assignments.

Exam Updates:

A Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2019 will be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission on 8th September, 2019 for admission to the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun; Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala; Air Force Academy, Hyderabad; Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai ,etc. The last to fill in online form is 8th July. Both male and female students may apply for the forthcoming CDS exam.