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The Hype About Typing and Why It Is an Important Skill
When we think of essential skills that are crucial in achieving professional success, typing skill isn’t exactly top of mind. Oftentimes, we’re too focused on bigger competencies, like the ability to speak English well, advanced technical know-how, or organisational skills.
Also read: The Top Must-Have Skills for Tomorrow’s Workplace
But given the fact that we live in an age wherein modern devices have replaced the pen and paper in recording and transmitting information, it’s pretty clear that typing—no matter how old-fashioned it sounds—is an incredibly important skill that everyone needs to master.
Wait a minute. In this digital age, surely everyone knows how to type, right?
Here’s the thing: There’s a difference between pressing letters with a few fingers and “touch-typing.” The latter is the practice of typing using all of one’s fingers without looking at the keys. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out which one is more efficient. Someone who can touch-type can get more done in a shorter amount of time, translating to better performance at work. To motivate you, here are some reasons why you should start practising your typing.
1. All other computer skills are rooted in your typing skills.
These days, you’d be hard-pressed to find an office job that doesn’t require mastery of fundamental computer programs. Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Keynote, and similar software all require a bit of typing.
It’s impossible to be proficient in any of these programs unless you‘ve first mastered the keyboard. The easiest way to practice? Type up a storm on Word and work on your speed and accuracy. You can also try free typing tests or training tools available online. Check out www.typingtest.com.
2. Your typing prowess greatly affects your efficiency and productivity.
The faster you type, the more time you save—allowing you to work faster and achieve more. Just think of all the documents and emails you have to type up every day. How great would it be if you can get through them much quicker?
Average professional typists usually type at a speed of 50 to 80 wpm (words per minute), while more advanced typists can work at speeds above 120 wpm. If you’re not a professional typist, but do most of your work on the computer, a typing speed of 50 to 60 wpm is a good goal that’s easy enough to achieve.
3. It’s indispensable in modern communication.
Hand-written letters may seem thoughtful, but they are more suitable for occasions that deserve an extra touch, such as writing a thank-you note. Emails and other electronic forms of communication, meanwhile, allow the fast delivery of information, all with just a few taps, too.
While “superior typing skills” may not be something that most candidates put on their resumes, here’s a fact: Being a skilled typist can give you a significant advantage in the current job market—and the future, too. Simply put, people who know how to communicate efficiently using modern tools (and who are keen on continuously improving) are already a step ahead of the crowd.
Also read: 10 quick fixes to ensure your emails are getting read, not trashed
4. Knowing how to type properly can benefit your health.
Ever seen your elderly mom or grandpa hunched over a keyboard, trying to find the right keys? We can’t blame them since they didn’t grow up in front of computers. Lucky for our generation, we already had computer classes as kids, giving us early training in keyboarding. That said, by learning the correct touch-typing techniques, you can go a long way in reducing health risks in the workplace, such as bad posture and repetitive strain injury (RSI).
5. Your typing skills can help you find better job opportunities.
With the continuous advancements in technology and the ever-changing job market, the ability to type like a pro has become even more invaluable. It is especially important to employers who have recently made the shift to digital or have embraced a remote working setup. Being a master of the keyboard, after all, signals great technological aptitude, which is necessary if you want to succeed in these highly competitive, fast-paced times.
Excited to take your career to new heights? You can get started by updating your JobStreet profile and searching for #JobsThatMatter. Make sure to include #WorkNow in your profile to inform employers that you are ready to take on an opportunity. If you need more tips and suggestions on navigating work life, head to our Career Resources Hub.
At JobStreet, we believe in bringing you #JobsThatMatter. As a Career Partner, we are committed to helping all jobseekers find passion and purpose in every career choice. And as the number 1 Talent Partner in Asia, we connect employers with the right candidates who truly make a positive and lasting impact on the organisation.
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SEEK Asia, a combination of two leading brands JobStreet and JobsDB, is the leading job portal and Asia’s preferred destination for candidates and hirers. SEEK Asia’s presence span across 7 countries namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam. SEEK Asia is part of the Australian Securities Exchange-listed SEEK Limited Company, the world’s largest job portal by market capitalisation. SEEK Asia attracts over 400 million visits a year.
About SEEK Limited
SEEK is a diverse group of companies, comprising a strong portfolio of online employment, educational, commercial and volunteer businesses. SEEK has a global presence (including Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, South-East Asia, Brazil and Mexico), with exposure to over 2.9 billion people and approximately 27 per cent of global GDP. SEEK makes a positive contribution to people’s lives on a global scale. SEEK is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, where it is a top 100 company and has been listed in the Top 20 Most Innovative Companies by Forbes.
