Some companies will hire high school graduates who meet their keyboarding speed requirements.  Increasingly though, companies are looking for employees with a degree or certification in the field of data entry.  These degrees can be gotten from technical high school programs and colleges.  As always, potential employees look upon experience favorably.  Good spelling, grammar and punctuation skills are important in their field, as is a familiarity with computers and other standard office equipment. 

There are many sources with which to educate yourself in the field of data entry.  Some of these include community colleges, business schools, temporary employment agencies, as well as books, tapes and Internet tutorials.  Potential data entry employees should have skills in keyboarding, word processing, spread sheets and database management computer software.

Many employees will begin their careers in data entry, and use it as a stepping-stone to a higher-up position.  Large businesses and government agencies frequently have training programs to assist employees in upgrading their skills and advance to higher positions.  It is common for data entry workers to transfer to other administrative positions, such as statistical clerk, secretary, administrative assistant, or to be promoted to a supervisory position in a word processing or data entry center.

For those interested in working from home, there are many opportunities for a data entry clerk.  On the Internet, one can find many tutorial aids.  These aids will help the self-employed know where to get started.  Once you have educated yourself on the how-tos, there are many opportunities.  Many companies are looking for part-time or full-time employees to work from home.  This allows many stay at home/work from home parents, as well as individuals who are not able to travel, employment opportunities.

If you are considering working from home, some certification may be needed.  Other skills will be essential though.  You must have good computer skills.  This will include keyboarding skills, spreadsheet programs and the Internet.  You must also have good writing skills to contact potential employers.  Many of those who work from home will have their personal computers linked by telephone lines to those in the main office.  This arrangement allows the data entry employee to key from home while still being able to produce printed copy in the offices.

Data entry workers held approximately 525,000 jobs in 2004 and were employed in every sector of the economy; 330,000 were data entry keyers and 194,000 were word processors.  Roughly one out of five data entry employees held jobs in firms and another one in five work for governmental agencies, state and local.