In the proliferation of home-based jobs these recent years, data entry has become a relatively lucrative trade compared to a few generations ago. After all, before the computer age, data entry typically comprised of entering data by hand into a database of paperwork, and filing them into corresponding systems, as well as digging out the necessary information when needed through a plethora of paper-based data. Now that it may be done online and from home, many have found it to be an excellent income-booster either as a job on the side or as a job for full-time stay-at-home moms without requiring them to find a babysitter for her kids.

If you are looking for a data entry job, what will make you stand out among others who are also fighting for the same job as you? The following are the top things that employers are looking for when they hire a data entry employee:

1. Speed – How do you show how fast you are in a data entry position? Since nearly all data entry jobs will require some form of typing and inputting into the computer, you can show this information by giving your average typing speed. It can be stated as a word-per-minute figure, or for data entry jobs involving some writing, you can state it as how many articles you can write in an hour or an 8-hour day. If this is not your strong suit, it may be a good idea to brush up on your speed with speed-typing lessons or practicing your sight-typing.
2. Attention to detail – This is most crucial if you are applying for a position that copies information from one set of database to another. Typically, employers who require this trait in their prospective employees would add some form of test on their job ad: some of them require you to include specific details in your cover letter, while others require applicants to put a certain phrase in the subject line. In any case, it would do you well to read the job ad thoroughly to make sure you do not miss out on anything important that may determine whether or not you get the job. Of course, it does not mean you stop there either; once you are hired, you need to make a conscious effort to pay attention to detailed instructions.
3. Cooperativeness – While this is a relatively intangible trait, it is marked highly on many employers’ unspoken criteria. Cooperativeness includes being teachable, flexible, and willing to be trained. One online employer expressed dislike of article writers who could not be corrected. This gives you an idea that being open to correction and suggestions is crucial for your successful tenure with employers, especially for work wherein feedback is important.

These top 3 things should give you an idea what data entry employers are looking for. Once you prioritize these three things, you will surely have an edge over all the other prospective employees, and will also enjoy your work for a long time to come.

In this age of the online world, finding a job online has become as commonplace as teenagers finding babysitting or lawn mowing jobs a generation ago. If it is your first time to consider getting a job online, you might have qualms about how to go about it, wanting to find the best possible employer. How do you go about finding a good data entry job? There are 3 Ps that can help you land that job you need:

1. Preparation – Whether you wish to land a job only via referrals from friends or from actually applying for them yourself, you will definitely need to be prepared. The first thing you need to prepare would be your personal work habits: can you set a daily time when you can work undisturbed? Then, make sure you have the necessary equipment, which typically comprises of a reliable computer and Internet connection. After that, it is time to prepare your resume and application letters. If you have never held any online job, you will need to consider how your experience in other aspects of life may be beneficial for an online employer. For example, if you are applying for an article-writing job, writing experience in any other field will be very much appreciated; for data entry jobs, filing or other secretarial-related experience will also help, as is any other experience that requires attention to detail.

2. Patience (and persistence!) – This is definitely a virtue on all counts, and most especially for finding an online job. Just as, in regular jobs, you will likely need to send in your applications to several companies before you land the job you want, it is also wise in online applications to send in as many as you can. After all, it does not cost you anything to send an e-mail, so why not make the most of it? Besides, the more prospective employers you get to meet, the more choices you will have in the end to choose the job that best suits you.

3. Professionalism – Although working online will mean you get to work from home, it does not exempt you from being professional. This includes being professional in terms of keeping time appointments, not just for deadlines, but even for interviews. Online job interviews are usually done through Skype or other online chat services, and you will need to respect a prospective employer’s time by showing up at the time agreed. From there, when you get the job, professionalism will also be key in ensuring you keep the job and get future projects as well.

These 3 Ps may sound simple, but they are crucial, even if online jobs sound like something that is less than formal. Treating data entry job employers as you would a regular employer will show them that you truly respect them and would be reliable in the job, helping you have an easier time landing a project or a series of projects for your work-at-home income. And your clients will certainly notice it!

If you are a new mom craving some productivity other than caring for your newborn, you might feel frustrated at not being able to work outside the home. The good news is that the Internet has made it possible for people to earn extra income as well as achieve a sense of accomplishment right in the comforts of their own homes. These online jobs allow even new breastfeeding mothers to have a means with which to make a difference in the way that they desire. Among these jobs, data entry positions seem to fit in the best way for a new mother, as the jobs can be done at her own time, her own pace, and without needing to report all day to a supervisor.

Of course, if you are a new mom, there are at least two things you need to consider before you jump into a data entry job:

1. Are you one for routine, or are you OK with the unpredictable? This is a crucial question for new, nursing mothers, and along with this is a related question: have you developed a routine for your baby? Breastfeeding can get really taxing especially if the baby has not yet developed a routine, as you can never tell when he will cry for milk. If your baby is still unpredictable, it may cause you unnecessary stress to take on a job and find it interrupted every so often when you need to breastfeed. However, if you believe you will not mind stopping when your baby needs to nurse and that you will have no trouble picking up where you left off, this should be a minimal concern.
2. Will you have anyone to take care of the baby in case you get stuck for a deadline? If you are a single mom, this is a very serious consideration. It might be very easy to apply for and land a data entry job, but you have to make sure you can actually follow through with your promise. For example, if you have a deadline by Friday, and from Monday to Wednesday many things came up that kept you from working as you had hoped, you will wind up with more work for Thursday and Friday; if things go just as usual with your baby, there is still the chance that something will come up again to keep you from your work. When Friday rolls around, you cannot just tell your client that you were unable to finish it because of your baby, as it is highly unprofessional. As such, consider your alternatives right at the outset; perhaps you have neighbors or relatives who can watch the baby for a couple of hours when you are rushing to meet a deadline.

Caring for a new baby is a crucial time period. Of course, it is also quite understandable that you might need the extra money, so to make the best of both worlds, you can make plans ahead of time, and you will find you can enjoy both your new baby and your new online job.

While data entry employment is among the excellent opportunities you can find over the internet today, it has its own share of pros and cons. For those who have not tasted the freedom of working from the comfort of their homes, a data entry job will seem to be a perfect opportunity. But before you decide whether to opt for this kind of job, give yourself enough time first to find out what the advantages and disadvantages of working from home are. To help you with that, below are some of the positive points of data entry employment as well as the negative ones.

The Pros:

Perhaps the biggest advantage of being able to work from home is having perfect control of your schedule. Unlike in a real office, data entry employment gives you the freedom to choose what hour of the day you’re going to work. If you find it difficult to wake up very early in the morning, then you can start working around noontime if you think that’s a more comfortable schedule for you. There are even some who choose to work in the middle of the night especially if they have chosen not to give up their day jobs. Another advantage of data entry employment is that you can save a lot of money from transportation. You can even save on travel or driving time since you don’t have to go outside to work. If you’re not the kind of person who loves working together with other people or are not comfortable being supervised by a “boss”, then this kind of job is for you. Working moms, most especially will love to try data entry employment as it gives them the chance to work and generate income for the family and watching over the children at the same time.

The Cons:

It’s true that working from home gives you the freedom to set your own working schedule but sometimes, it’s also a disadvantage especially if you don’t know how to draw the line between work time and family time. When you’re working from the very comfort of your home, it’s easy to get distracted by the needs of your children or your spouse and lose your momentum. It’s also very easy to get tempted to take a lot of breaks since there’s nobody watching over you. What’s more, doing the same thing over and over again can be really boring. Yes, office work can be boring too but there’s something about working with other people around you that motivates you to work. Whether it’s the sense of having some kind of competition or not, it obviously works. Finally, perhaps the biggest disadvantage of working from home is that you will miss the opportunity of getting promoted and given a higher salary and some other benefits as well.

Before you rush into taking data entry employment, you should consider these pros and cons first. By doing so, you will be able to minimize the risk of having to regret your decision at the end in case you don’t find the opportunity fitting for you.