With the world going more online by the day, jobs for remote freelancers are steadily increasing. While in the past, typists could only be seen in offices, today many make a living by working as typists from the comfort of their homes.
An online typist is also known as a word processor and types documents in their home office often transcribing from audio files, typing out rough notes into word documents, and entering data into official formats.
In this article, let’s take a look into the duties of an online typist, the education required for this job, the average pay scale, and how to apply for the job. Read on to learn more.
Duties of an Online Typist
An online typist must complete the typing assignment by using a word processing software. Once the matter is typed out, the typist must proofread the document and correct any grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors.
The typist will then have to make copies of the ready document and deliver it to the employer by mail or electronic transmission. It is important that the online typist meets the client’s deadlines for submission.
Average Salary
Online typists are usually paid a fixed amount per document or hour while some might also be paid per word or audio minute that they transcribe.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in the year 2018, the median salary of an online typist was $19.11 per hour, the top 10% earning more than $27.93 per hour, and the bottom 10% earning less than $13 per hour.
Educational Qualifications and Experience Required
While you do not need any advanced formal qualifications to become an online typist, having at least a secondary education is beneficial.
Local community colleges and vocational schools also offer courses in typing that can be taken up by the applicant. Other courses that can add to your skills are English Grammar courses and computer training.
Those applicants who would like to get into the field of medical transcription can take up a certification from the Association of Healthcare Documentation Integrity.
The more work experience you have as a typist, the better your skills and the higher the pay. Though work experience in the field is not compulsory, a couple of years of working as a typist in an office can be beneficial.
Skills
An online typist needs to have good typing skills and should be able to type about 200-300 words per minute. Entry-level jobs take applicants who can type at least 60 words per minute.
The knowledge of computers and word processing software, uploading files and troubleshooting are also essential.
The applicant should also possess excellent hearing and listening skills to be able to transcribe audio files accurately besides also having good communication skills to coordinate well with the client. Knowledge of grammar, spelling, and punctuation are mandatory.
How to Apply
There are many job sites and online portals that offer jobs to online typists. You can check for opportunities on freelancer websites, like Upwork, or other job sites, like Monster, and Indeed.
You will have to create an account on these job portals and upload a good resume. In your resume, you must include your educational qualifications, work experience, and certifications if any.
You should stress on skills that are essential for the job like your typing speed, computer skills, and language proficiency. You can practice typing and transcribe at high speeds so that you are in good practice if you are asked to take a skill test.
The Takeaway
Online typing is a job that pays well and lets you work from the comfort of your home. More so, with no office timings, you can have your own schedule as long as you meet the deadlines of your employer.
Saving hours that you would spend stuck in traffic, this job also guarantees you more time on your hands to pursue your hobbies and interests.