How to Get a Job as a Data Entry Clerk: 7 A Step By Step Guide

You can learn how to get a job as a data entry clerk with this step-by-step guide.

Takeaways
1. Research the skills and qualifications needed for a data entry clerk position.
2. Polish your typing skills and strive for accuracy in data entry tasks.
3. Familiarize yourself with data entry software and systems commonly used in the industry.
4. Craft a well-written and tailored resume highlighting relevant experience and skills.
5. Prepare for interviews by practicing common data entry-related questions and showcasing your attention to detail.
6. Network and explore job opportunities through online job boards, professional platforms, and industry events.
7. Continuously develop your skills and stay updated on industry trends to enhance your prospects as a data entry clerk.

What Is a Data Entry Clerk?

A data entry clerk is responsible for entering, updating, and maintaining the authenticity of the information held on computer systems. These professionals work in an office environment and are generally required to have a high school diploma.

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Data Entry Clerk Skills

The skills needed for data entry clerks include an ability to use software applications such as MS Office and Internet browsers like Firefox or Google Chrome; many employers also expect applicants to be familiar with proprietary software platforms such as IBM’s IMS family of products or SAP R3; 

You may need to know how to write formulas in order to pull specific reports out of databases, although more commonly-used programs like Excel can be used in conjunction with programming languages like VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) or SQL (Structured Query Language); it’s also important that you’re able to compile and present spreadsheets using these languages.

Data entry clerks may also be required to edit text for spelling errors, rearrange columns without losing their meaning, add or delete columns from tables, etc. More advanced skills involve writing scripts that support data management functions. You’ll need knowledge of application development languages such as Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).

Step 1: Check To See If You’re Qualified

To start off, there are two main qualifications you’re going to want to take stock of: education and experience. The specific details can vary depending on what type of job you’re applying for, but in most cases, if you don’t have the required amount of each of these two things, you won’t be eligible for a data entry clerk position.

Education requirements can vary wildly depending on the company that is hiring. Some might require just a high school diploma while others will ask for a bachelor’s degree or even a master’s degree. 

If your employment opportunity requires some form of post-secondary studies, pay careful attention to what kind of courses they’ll accept because many programs can be substituted for one another in terms of college credits. For instance, maybe your computer science diploma isn’t accepted by this employer but the equivalent coursework from another program at your university is acceptable. 

Always check with each company separately because they have their own standards and it could save you time and money if they are more flexible than expected.

Experience requirements are pretty straightforward; if you haven’t worked as a data entry clerk before then this position probably isn’t for you unless someone wants to give you a chance without any prior experience (in which case it obviously makes sense that you’d apply). 

There are tons of companies out there who hire people without any experience at all so if that’s something that interests you then make sure to conduct thorough research into them before taking the plunge. A good place to start is online forums where people discuss their experiences with various employers so hopefully after doing some digging, whatever company sounds best will be obvious enough!

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Step 2: Look For The Right Kind Of Job

The second step to look for a job is to look for the right kind of job. Although there are jobs where you can work with new technology, some people may not be able to learn new tech quickly. If you know that you’re the type of person who has trouble learning new tech, it’s best to look for a job where there is an opportunity for growth in different areas.

Also, starting out as a data entry clerk might sound good at first because you get experience and have a lot of free time if you’re working as an entry-level employee and make minimum wage or close to it then that’s hard to live on. 

You’ll have debt because living by yourself or with roommates will cost more than living at home and you’ll be spending money on gas in your car since the company probably won’t pay for your commute. Plus, when you start making more money after some time, another thing to think about is how many advancement opportunities there are at this job.

Look for jobs where there are promotions within the company instead of just pay raises or getting moved up in title but not salary on the same rung (also called horizontal progression).

With those things in mind make sure that they’re following good business practices like environmental responsibility and fair trade sourcing

Step 3: Make Sure Your Resume Shows Your Qualifications

Although the aforementioned skills are essential, there are a few things you can do to make your resume stand out. Don’t worry, though they’re easy.

What Data Entry Jobs Will Require To Get Hired? 

As with any job, it’s important that your resume shows all the required skills for the role you’re applying for. If you don’t have much work experience yet, then you’ll want to make sure that your education highlights data entry and relevant computer courses. 

If you’re applying for a specific job, be sure that your resume is tailored to it instead of copying and pasting over old resumes in case they reject you without reading through your application and realizing this mismatch.

If I Don’t Have A Lot Of Experience, Should I Go With An Objective Or A Professional Summary? 

Most people tend to put an objective at the top of their resume when they have no professional experience or any other qualifications beyond their education. 

An objective states what kind of position you’d like in the future (e.g., “Looking for an internship in order to gain valuable work experience”), whereas a professional summary, is more like a mini-resume within your larger one (e.g., “Graduated from State University with majors in Accounting and Mathematics; member of Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society; 4 years experience as data entry clerk”). 

The choice basically boils down to what sounds best on your particular resume you could say that objectives are more suited towards novice applicants while professional summaries would be better if you’ve got lots of relevant skill sets but not much work history yet (or even if you’re graduating soon).

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Step 4: Be Prepared For A Test

You’re out of the interview, and you’ve got your foot in the door. That might seem like enough to be getting on with, but you still need to get your head around the tests, quizzes, and mock assignments that are going to come with the job. The good news is that since these things are work-related, they’ll require less investment from you than any of those online personality quizzes.

‘Test’ could mean many things: a basic quiz about company information or a written task for an open position at the company; both will likely be followed by a discussion afterward. You’ll probably also have to take some kind of computerized test or assessment before being officially hired this is where most of your anxiety will come from. 

While it’s not exactly fun taking tests, they’re essential and they’re worth doing well in as they’ll help determine which jobs you’ll be matched to (if any). Here’s what you should expect after every interview:

Step 5: Ace The Interview

Have A Positive And Confident Outlook

Although you have practiced your answers to frequently asked questions, it’s likely that the interviewer will ask unexpected ones. Be ready to flex your poise by being happy and open with your answers. Smile often!

Bring Up Anything That You Think Could Help Improve Your Application

For example, if the company is looking specifically for someone with a bachelor’s degree in a particular field, it may not be wise to ask about other positions in the office even if they appear interesting. You can always follow up with the interviewer after the interview has finished learning more about other available positions or their recruiting practices.

Keep In Mind That Even Some Of The Most Popular Data Entry Jobs Require Applicants 

Be sure you have all of your materials together well before the interview so there’s no last-minute scrambling!

Step 6: Follow Up After The Interview

Following up after your interview is a crucial step. You want to make sure that your interviewers remember you and are excited about the possibility of hiring you. Here’s how to do it in a few steps as possible:

Step 6: Send a thank-you note. Many employers will require this, so don’t think of it as merely being polite. Write the note within 24 hours of finishing the interview, and send it by email if you can (so they have a record). If not, snail mail is fine too.

The body of the email doesn’t have to be particularly formal; just say “thank you” and leave it at that! If you’d like to add something more personal or conversational, do so at the beginning or end of your message, but keep any additional comments brief. 

In addition to thanking them for their time and consideration, also ask when they’ll be making their decision this shows that you’re eager for an answer and serious about wanting their job!

Note: A follow-up call can also make a good impression on employers just contact them again within 24 hours of sending your first message.

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Step 7: Ace The (Online) Test

With the other steps completed, you should be feeling pretty confident about your chances of passing your test (if you haven’t already). Before it’s time to head into the real world and start applying for jobs as a data entry clerk, however, there are some more things to keep in mind.

Time Is Precious

Don’t spend too much time worrying about whether or not you’ll pass. If you don’t pass the test on the first try, just keep trying again until you do. It could take some people several attempts but that’s okay! Just keep at it.

Analyze What Went Wrong 

Once you’ve taken the test and received your score, think back over the questions that gave you trouble. Were there any that seemed sort of confusing or ambiguous? If so, try to figure out why they were confusing; if they still seem convoluted after all this analysis, ask someone else what they think or maybe even look up the answer online if it’s something basic like math (yes in most cases, including this one).

Start Practicing Again

Make another appointment with yourself right now to prepare for another round of practice tests! It’s never too late to brush up on your skills and get some extra preparation in before your big day arrives. Use resources from Step 3 of this guide as well as other practice tests available online to ensure that by the time you go into an office to apply for a job as a data entry clerk in person, all the kinks have been worked out of your system.*

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Conclusion

Congratulations! If you’ve made it to the end of this guide, you now have the tools you need to land a data entry clerk job and make your dreams come true. Shoot for the stars, because if there’s one thing we learned from Penguins of Madagascar, it’s that every animal deserves to shine.

Further Reading

Here are some additional resources for further reading on the topic:

How to Hire a Data Entry Clerk: This guide provides valuable insights and tips on effectively hiring a data entry clerk for your organization.

Data Entry Clerk Job Description: Get a clear understanding of the responsibilities and qualifications associated with the role of a data entry clerk through this comprehensive job description.

What Is a Temporary Data Entry Clerk?: Learn about the concept of temporary data entry clerks and discover how to pursue a career in this field.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is A Data Entry Clerk?

A data entry clerk is an administrative employee whose job is to enter and organize the raw data of a company or organization. Data entry clerks use computers, tablets, and other similar devices to record information that can include names, addresses, financial statistics, etc. The information they are entering could be from forms filled out through mail or online requests.

What Do Data Entry Clerks Do?

Data entry clerks perform clerical tasks such as entering and storing information in databases. They also may format documents and maintain records. As part of their daily job duties, they may need to take phone calls and answer questions regarding the information they have put into databases. 

They are at the lowest rung on the corporate ladder when it comes to management positions but for those who enjoy working independently with little supervision, this can be a good fit if not a great opportunity for advancement.

What Are The Benefits Of Being A Data Entry Clerk?

While there can be downsides to working in an office environment (long hours with minimal pay) there are some benefits that come with being a data entry clerk: As an office employee, you will have set hours (generally 9-5). 

You will get one full weekend off every week. No direct supervision so you can work at your own pace. You gain valuable experience that can help you advance into other roles in the office or even lead to starting your own business down the road. You learn how to navigate office software programs such as Microsoft Office (Excel, Powerpoint, Word).

What educational qualifications are typically required for a data entry clerk?

While a high school diploma or equivalent is often sufficient, some employers may prefer candidates with additional coursework or certifications in data entry or related fields.

What industries commonly employ data entry clerks?

Data entry clerks are employed across various industries, including healthcare, finance, retail, government, and administrative services.

Can data entry clerks work remotely?

Yes, remote work opportunities for data entry clerks have become increasingly prevalent, especially with the rise of online platforms and cloud-based data entry systems.

How can I advance in my career as a data entry clerk?

To advance in your career as a data entry clerk, you can expand your skills in data management, database administration, or data analysis. Seeking additional certifications or pursuing higher education in related fields can also open up more senior positions.