Vervoe

How To Hire A Data Entry Clerk

Admin & Office

Complete with job descriptions, skill profiles, and interview templates. Use this Data Entry Clerk hiring guide to help you make the right decisions, fast.

What does a Data Entry Clerk do?

A Data Entry Clerk is responsible for entering data from different sources, usually in paper formats, to an electronic format, in a computer system, for processing and management. They can do this manually by typing the information, or by scanning the documents.

Day to day tasks of a Data Entry Clerk

  • Create spreadsheets to build a database of information.
  • Manually type information from a hard copy document to the system or the database.
  • Update information in the system or the database.
  • Organise the information in the system.
  • Verify outdated information and ensure to change the data into the updated one.
  • Ensure consistent backing up of data for security purposes.
  • Organise and maintain the hard copies of the documents.
  • Type information quickly but efficiently.
Recruitment guide role overview illustration

A Data Entry Clerk’s primary responsibility is to provide administrative support, specifically entering data from a hard copy source to the digital system or database. Because of this, a Data Entry Clerk should have excellent typing skills–they can type fast and accurately.

Role definition illustration

Data Entry Clerk Hiring Process

Build the Ideal Candidate Profile​

To find the best person for the role, you need to understand what the role involves. You can complete this with the hiring manager to define the role, its contribution, and the skills needed.

Write A Job Description Based On Skills

Once you understand the requirements for the role, you’ll need to understand the skills for success. You can then write an effective job description to promote your role.

Selecting The Ideal Candidate

See which applicants have the right skills for the role. Send all your applicants a Vervoe skills assessment from the expert library, or customize one for your organization.

Interview Top Performers

Your skills assessment results will identify top performers. Focus your time on interviewing those that have met or exceeded your requirements. Assessment results will also help guide which skill areas to focus on in the interview.

Making An Offer

Once you assess your candidates against these skills, you’re ready to offer the top performer(s). You should base your offer on the value that the candidate would bring to your team and your business as a whole. It is also important to ensure your compensation and benefits packages are competitive in the industry and help you attract and retain the top talent.

Admin Office sector illustration

Skills needed for a Data Entry Clerk

A Data Entry Clerk should have excellent typing skills. They should be able to type as many words per minute and do it accurately. They should also be very keen on details as they will be working on a lot of data.

  • Typing
  • Following Directions
  • Attention to Detail

How to write a Data Entry Clerk job description

Once you’ve determined the skills required for the role, you can write the job description to advertise for your position. Here’s what to include in your Data Entry Clerk job description:

Job Title
What position are you hiring for?
Summary
What makes your company unique? What would it be like to work for you?
Responsibilities
An overview of the role’s day-to-day activities, and how the position contributes to the organization
Requirements
Skills a candidate must have to perform the job successfully
Benefits
Details of compensation, benefits, and any perks on offer
Use our sample Data Entry Clerk job description
Job description checklist illustration

Sample skill tests for a Data Entry Clerk

Create a free account today to access the full assessment and more from our library

Question 1

Typing

Question Type: Document

Please retype the poem that is on the word doc below, ensuring the correct grammar, spelling, punctuation etc.

Question 2

Following Directions

Question Type: Text

A prime number is a number that is divisible only by itself and 1 and that is not a product of two smaller natural numbers. Give a list of prime numbers under 50 without the digit “3”.

Question 3

Attention to Detail

Question Type: Text

How would you rate your ability to follow directions/instructions both verbally and written? Provide an example of when you have implemented this skill.

How to interview a Data Entry Clerk

Once your Vervoe skills assessment has surfaced the most qualified people for your open role, you can focus on interviewing these candidates. The interview should focus on any skills that require development that were highlighted from the skills assessment.

Now you know that candidates can do the job, the interview becomes more of a relationship building exercise where you can get to know the candidate on a more personal level, understand their motivations, and how they would fit in with the team.

How much does it cost to hire a Data Entry Clerk?

The US average for a Data Entry Clerk is $35,321 according to Payscale.com. Glassdoor.com meanwhile reports it at $32,407. The highest salary reported for a Data Entry Clerk is at $125,000, but it depends on the skill, experience, and location. The lowest salary recorded is at $25,000.

United States

Data Entry Clerks’ average salaries in the United States range from $32,000 - 35,000 (USD). The salaries vary depending on the years of experience in the profession, additional skills, and the location.

Source: Source: Payscale.com, Glassdoor.com

United Kingdom

Data Entry Clerks’ average salaries in the United Kingdom range from £18,000 - £24,000 (GBP). These figures depend on the years of experience in the field, additional skills, and the location.

Source: Source: Glassdoor.com, Payscale.com

Australia

Data Entry Clerks’ average salaries in Australia range from $48,000 - $58,000 (AUD). The salaries usually depend on the year of experience in the profession, additional skills, and the location.

Source: Source: Talent.com, Payscale.com