Top 5 Industries Hiring for Online Data Entry Jobs – and the Skills You Need to Land Them

Looking to start an online career but don’t know which work from home jobs to apply for?

Why not try online data entry jobs?

A combination of beginner-friendly skill requirements and high demand from various industries makes this a good start for aspiring remote workers.

So, which sectors are currently hiring a lot of data entry clerks? In addition, what skills will you need to get your foot in the door? Let’s find out.

Introduction: The Rise of Remote Data Entry Jobs in the Philippines

Let’s start by tracking how online data entry jobs have become popular in recent years.

What is Data Entry?

Data entry is the process of taking data from physical sources like papers or documents and transferring it to a database.

This process is crucial for maintaining accurate records and supporting higher-level decision-making.

Some examples of data entry tasks include updating records, organizing data, or filling out digital forms.

Why is Data Entry Thriving in the Philippines?

The recent growth of online data entry jobs in the Philippines can be attributed to these factors:

• Established BPO Industry:
  • The Philippines is a global leader in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, with a well-established infrastructure for supporting data entry, virtual assistance, and other online jobs.
• Competitive Talent:
  • Filipino remote workers provide quality data entry services at affordable rates, making them the go-to choice for international companies.
• Strong English Skills:
  • English is widely spoken in the Philippines, so Western clients don’t have to worry about language barriers.
• Tech-Savvy Workforce:
  • Many Filipinos are well-educated and familiar with basic computer apps like spreadsheets, databases, and other data accuracy tools.
• Growing Remote Work Options:
  • Thanks to the improved access to internet in the country, more and more Filipinos can now apply for data entry and other administrative jobs.

Top Industries Actively Hiring for Online Data Entry Jobs

After discussing the current state of data entry in the Philippines, let’s look at sectors where data entry clerks are in demand.

E-Commerce and Retail

Do you love online shopping? 

If so, a data entry career in the e-commerce and retail industry might be the perfect job for you.

E-commerce refers to transactions conducted over the Internet, like through websites or online stores. 

The Need for Accurate Product Listing and Inventory Management in E-Commerce

Online businesses depend on accurate product listing and inventory management to ensure smooth day-to-day operations and improve customer satisfaction.

For one, clear and precise product descriptions help customers make better-informed decisions and avoid customer complaints due to listing errors.

Additionally, having efficient inventory management helps online stores keep track of stock levels and ensure the right products are on hand to fulfill sales. Furthermore, accurate inventory data supports efficient order fulfillment and avoids delays.

Finally, as online stores grow, maintaining accurate listings and inventory becomes essential for managing higher order volumes and keeping product catalogs updated.

Data Entry for Order Processing and Customer Records

First time to work as a data entry clerk for online stores?

Here are some common starter tasks you’ll encounter regarding order processing and managing customer records to improve your customer relationship management (CRM) skills:

Order Processing:

• Inputting customer order information like product codes, quantities, and payment methods,
• Recording the current progress of an order (i.e., “processing,” “shipped,” and “delivered”),
• Adding shipment tracking details for customer reference,
• Inputting details of returned products or processed refunds, and
• Creating and saving invoices or receipts for each transaction.

Customer Records:

• Entering new customer details like names, contact information, and preferences,
• Revising customer information, like address changes or updated email addresses,
• Logging inquiries or complaints for customer service follow-ups,
• Inputting points or rewards information for loyalty program members, and
• Recording past interactions or transactions for better customer service.

Healthcare and Medical Services

The healthcare industry is another area where data entry clerks are in great demand, particularly in areas like disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and health education. 

The Need for Digitizing Patient Records and Insurance Documentation

Data entry clerks in healthcare keep patient records accurate and easily accessible.

This helps healthcare professionals quickly access patient histories to effectively diagnose and treat them.

Healthcare data entry clerks are also responsible for streamlining insurance and billing tasks, which expedites claims processing.

Skills Required for Sensitive Data Handling

Here are some key skills you’ll need when handling healthcare data:

• Attention to Detail:
  • Ensures accuracy when inputting, updating, or reviewing data.
• Data Security Awareness:
  • Knowledge of best practices for data protection (i.e., secure password management, recognizing phishing attempts, and preventing unauthorized access.)
• Technical Proficiency:
  • Ability to use secure software, encryption tools, and data management systems to safeguard information from cyber threats.
• Problem-Solving Skills:
  • Ability to quickly address potential data issues, like identifying discrepancies or responding to security breaches.
• Risk Assessment Abilities:
  • Proactively identifying potential vulnerabilities in data systems and workflows and recommending measures to strengthen security.
• Communication Skills:
  • Knowing how to share sensitive information responsibly, whether through encrypted emails or secure platforms.
• Organizational Skills:
  • Properly categorizing, filing, and managing data to ensure it’s only accessible to authorized personnel.

Finance and Banking

Another industry where you’ll find many online data entry jobs is the financial sector.

This sector plays a key role in supporting economic growth by providing capital, facilitating transactions, and helping individuals and businesses manage their finances.

Thus, they rely on data entry specialists to ensure the accurate and efficient management of financial information.

Common Data Entry Tasks in the Financial and Banking Industry

Data entry-related tasks in this industry include:

• Inputting Transaction Details:
  • Recording deposits, withdrawals, fund transfers, and payments into secure financial systems.
• Payroll Processing:
  • Entering employee payroll information, calculating deductions, and ensuring timely salary disbursements.
• Database Updates:
  • Maintaining and updating customer profiles, account details, and contact information.
• Processing Insurance Claims:
  • Recording and verifying claim details for accuracy and compliance with policies.
• Loan Data Management:
  • Inputting loan application details, tracking repayment schedules, and updating credit reports.
• Fraud Detection Support:
  • Identifying anomalies or irregularities in financial records and flagging them for further investigation.
• Customer Inquiry Logs:
  • Recording and organizing data from client queries and feedback to improve customer service.

Importance of Accuracy and Confidentiality in Financial and Banking Data Entry

First, being accurate helps prevent errors in financial transactions, as even a small one could lead to significant financial loss or legal issues.

Additionally, accurate financial data is vital for preparing reliable reports and analyses that guide business strategies and investment decisions.

On the other hand, confidentiality helps protect your clients’ sensitive information, prevents fraud and other cybercrimes, and ensures regulatory compliance.

All these are crucial for upholding trust in your company.

Real Estate and Property Management

Next, let’s take a look at real estate.

This sector involves the buying, selling, renting, and maintaining of properties – whether they’re residential, commercial, or industrial.

Currently, the real estate industry is seeing a boom as more people move to suburban areas.

Thus, the real estate industry needs skilled data entry clerks to help them ensure accurate record-keeping and thus facilitate efficient operations.

Common Data Entry Tasks in Real Estate

The typical responsibilities you’ll encounter in this industry include:

• Managing Property Listings:
  • Inputting and updating details about properties for sale or rent, including descriptions, photos, and availability on websites and marketing platforms.
• Tenant Information Management:
  • Recording and organizing tenant contact information, rental agreements, payment histories, and maintenance requests.
• Digital Contracts and Documentation:
  • Entering and managing electronic contracts, lease agreements, and related paperwork in secure databases.
• Tracking Payments:
  • Recording rent payments, security deposits, and other financial transactions, ensuring accurate bookkeeping.
• Client and Lead Records:
  • Maintaining a database of prospective clients, sellers, and renters, along with their preferences and contact history.
• Maintenance Logs:
  • Keeping a record of requests, work orders, and updates for property repairs and upkeep.
• Compliance Tracking:
  • Ensuring all data and documentation adhere to local real estate regulations and company policies.

Skills Like Organizational Abilities and CRM familiarity

You’ll need the following skills to thrive in this industry:

• Knowledge of Real Estate Software:
  • Familiarity with tools like MLS (Multiple Listing Service), property management software, and CRM platforms to streamline data tasks.
• Basic Financial Knowledge:
  • Understanding concepts like rent payments, deposits, and commissions for accurate financial record-keeping.
• Research Skills:
  • Verifying property details, market trends, and legal compliance requirements before data entry.

Media and Entertainment

Ever wanted to be in showbiz?

Well, you can actually work as a data entry clerk in the media and entertainment industry.

What’s the Role of Data Entry in Content Management, Audience Analytics, and Subscription Databases?

Data entry clerks are responsible for organizing and updating digital catalogs of media assets, ensuring easy access to movies, shows, music, and scripts for production or distribution.

When it comes to audience analytics, they’re responsible for inputting and managing viewer ratings, social media engagement metrics, and survey results – helping their client identify trends and preferences.

Finally, for subscription databases, data entry clerks are responsible for maintaining accurate records of subscriber details, payment histories, and preferences – ensuring a seamless user experience.

Growing Trend of Digitizing Legacy Media Archives

Recently, there have been efforts to convert older physical media like movies, audio recordings, and documents into digital formats.

This is done to prevent the deterioration of fragile physical media, make them easier to access, or repurpose old content for streaming platforms.

Data entry clerks play a crucial role in this by ensuring accurate and organized data handling during the transition.

They’re responsible for:

• Systematically recording details about films, photographs, documents, and recordings like their titles, creation date, creators, and descriptions into digital databases,
• Adding metadata (keywords, categories, and identifiers) to make digital archives easier to search and access,
• Verifying the accuracy of digitized records to avoid errors or omissions in archived materials, and
• Ensuring valuable media content, including rare or fragile items, is documented and preserved for future generations.

Skills You Need to Succeed as a Remote Data Entry Specialist

Now, let’s take a look at the skills you need to land an online data entry job in the industries above:

Technical Skills

Let’s start by discussing the necessary skills you need to perform your daily tasks.

Some examples of this are:

• Basic Computer Skills:
  • Familiarity with navigating operating systems, file management, and internet research.
• Database Management:
  • A firm understanding of how to input, retrieve, and organize data within digital databases.
• Data Cleaning and Formatting:
  • The ability to identify and correct errors, ensuring consistent and usable datasets.
• CRM Skills:
  • Knowledge of how to use platforms like Salesforce or HubSpot for managing customer-related data.
• Understanding of Basic Analytics:
  • The application of basic formulas and functions for data analysis.

Proficiency in Tools Like Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and Data Entry Software

Another technical skill that’ll help you stand out from the competition is expertise in spreadsheet applications and data management tools.

Mastering these tools significantly enhances your productivity and ensures data are handled effectively.

This skill also applies to various industries relying on structured data handling, like healthcare and finance.

Touch Typing and Data Accuracy

Want to further improve your typing skills for data entry? Practice touch typing.

This typing method involves using all your fingers to type without looking at the keyboard. It relies on muscle memory to locate keys, allowing for faster and more accurate typing, boosting productivity.

Basic Cybersecurity Awareness

Since you’ll be handling sensitive data, you must at least be familiar with basic cybersecurity practices.

Additionally, industries like healthcare and finance have very strict data protection laws, so having this skill helps you protect your work from unauthorized access.

Finally, a working knowledge of cybersecurity measures reassures your client that their data is in safe hands.

Soft Skills

Today, having the right skillset isn’t enough to help you land online data entry jobs; you must also have the right soft skills too:

Time Management and the Ability to Meet Deadlines in a Remote Setting

Good time management helps you avoid procrastination so you meet deadlines consistently.

Additionally, this skill lets you set clear boundaries between work and personal time and avoid burnout.

Finally, proper time management helps you deal with potential time zone differences between you and your client.

Attention to Detail and Problem-Solving for Data Inconsistencies

These ensure data accuracy and prior experience in troubleshooting can help you resolve most errors you might encounter on your own.

Furthermore, consistently delivering clean, error-free work allows you to foster trust and build a long-term working relationship with your clients.

Communication Skills

One of the most essential skills every remote worker should have is effective communication.

Here’s why:

Importance of Clear Reporting and Teamwork in a Virtual Environment

Teamwork in a virtual setup relies heavily on effective communication. This helps you verify information, align processes, or share updates on your current tasks, fostering efficiency and minimizing errors – while also promoting transparency and accountability between you and your colleagues.

Tips for Effective Online Collaboration Using Tools Like Slack or Zoom

When communicating with your team using apps like Slack or Zoom, it helps to:

• Keep Messages Concise:
  • Ensure messages are clear and straightforward, with relevant attachments or links for context if needed.
• Leverage Channels and Threads:
  • Organize your channels by topic or team, and use threads for specific conversations to avoid clogging general channels.
• Schedule Meetings Thoughtfully:
  • Use Zoom for structured discussions or brainstorming sessions, and keep meetings to a clear agenda and time limit.
• Respect Time Zone Differences:
  • Schedule meetings in advance and be mindful of time differences within a distributed team.

Why Choose Remote Staff to Start Your Data Entry Journey?

When starting your online career, partnering up with a trusted outsourcing company like Remote Staff significantly increases your chances of success.

Even before remote work became mainstream, Remote Staff has been providing work from home job opportunities to Filipino workers.

Additionally, unlike other companies, our support doesn’t end when you get hired.

Here are some other reasons why you should work with us:

Structured Opportunities

Working with Remote Staff means you no longer have to search for clients alone, as we’ll help you find one that matches your skills.

If we don’t find a position in our jobs list that matches you, worry not. We’ll also actively endorse your resume to potential employers in our roster.

Finally, we’ll also help you or your client resolve any remote or cultural challenges, thus ensuring a healthy and productive remote working relationship.

Trusted Platforms with Pre-Vetted Clients

With over seventeen years of experience (and counting), matching aspiring data entry specialists like you with the right client is second nature to us.

We have also collaborated with Teramind to provide you with a reliable monitoring system to promote trust, accountability, and transparency between you and your client.

Additionally, we always vet our clients to protect you from scams and have measures in place in case they go AWOL, like enforceable contracts.

Furthermore, we’ll ensure you receive full compensation as we don’t deduct any fees or commissions, and we’ll base your pay based on the work hours you’ve clocked in.

How to Start Applying for Online Data Entry Jobs

Ready to start your virtual data entry career? 

Tips for Identifying Legitimate Job Openings

Here are some pointers to remember when assessing whether a job opening is legitimate or not:

• Research the Company:
  • Look for a company website/contact details and check their reviews on Glassdoor to verify their legitimacy.
• Scrutinize the Job Description:
  • Genuine jobs provide clear details about the position’s responsibilities, expectations, and salary.
• Check for Upfront Fees:
  • Avoid jobs requiring upfront fees- legitimate jobs pay for work done, not the other way around.
• Verify Payment Terms:
  • Ensure the job offers proper payment methods, like direct deposits or verified payment platforms.
• Avoid Jobs Offering Unrealistic Promises:
  •  If it sounds too good to be true – it probably is.
• Use Trusted Platforms:
  • Search for jobs on verified platforms like Upwork, Remote Staff, and LinkedIn to avoid scams.

Optimize Your Resume for Remote Applications

Possessing an impressive skill set is one thing; showcasing it to potential employers is another.

Having a well-crafted resume significantly increases your chances of being noticed by potential employers:

Include Relevant Keywords and Showcase Online Certifications

When constructing your resume, remember to include keywords relevant to data entry and any online certifications you received.

Doing so highlights your qualifications and increases your credibility in the eyes of potential employers.

Lastly, include relevant keywords to help your resume stand out in Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). 

Best Practices for Creating an ATS-Friendly Resume for Data Entry Roles

Here are some tips to help you craft an ATS-friendly resume for online data entry jobs:

• Use a Simple Layout:
  • Avoid complex designs, images, or graphics that ATS might not properly read.
• Use Clear Headings:
  • Label sections like “Work Experience,” “Skills,” and “Certifications” for easy parsing.
• Choose Standard Fonts:
  • Stick to professional fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
• Use Bullet Points:
  • Present information concisely for better readability by both ATS and human recruiters.
• Avoid Abbreviations or Jargon:
  • Write the full form of certain terms like Customer Relationship Management (CRM) instead of presuming the reader knows what the acronym means.
• Save as a Compatible File Format:
  • Submit your resume either as a Word document (.docx) or PDF, as specified in the job posting.

Ace Your Online Interviews

The next step in the application process is an online interview with your potential employer, and here are some tips to get ready:

Prepare for Common Questions in Data Entry Job Interviews

As the saying goes: “Forewarned is Forearmed.”

Here are some of the typical questions your interviewer will ask during the interview and how to answer them:

• “What is Your Typing Speed, And How Do You Handle Tight Deadlines?”

• • • Provide specific metrics (typing speed in words per minute (WPM)) and explain how you stay productive while under pressure.

• “How Do You Maintain Accuracy in Data Entry?”

• • • Share your methods for keeping your work accurate, like double-checking your work or using software tools.

• “How Do You Handle Sensitive Data?”

• • • Emphasize your knowledge of data security protocols and your commitment to confidentiality.

• “What Data Entry Software or Programs Are You Familiar With?”

• • • Enumerate the tools you’re familiar with and express a willingness to learn new ones if necessary.

• “Why Do You Think You’re a Good Fit for This Data Entry Role?”

• • • Tailor your answer based on the job description and highlight any relevant skills or attributes you have.

• “How Do You Handle Errors or Inconsistencies in the Data?”

• • Explain your approach to identifying and resolving errors.

Remember to be upfront about what you can do and express an eagerness to learn on the job as needed.

Highlight Remote-Ready Traits Like Self-Motivation and Tech Savviness

Emphasizing your remote-ready traits shows you can work independently, which helps build trust between you and your potential employer.

In addition, having these indicates your ability to use remote tools efficiently, which helps reduce your training time.

FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Remote Data Entry Jobs

Here are some commonly asked questions regarding online data entry jobs:

Can I Start a Data Entry Job Without Prior Experience?

You absolutely can.

Many data entry roles are beginner-friendly and focus on tasks like typing, organizing data, or updating records.

Furthermore, there are many online courses available today to help you hone your typing speed, familiarity with data entry software, and basic cyber security awareness.

Are There Any Unconventional Tools That Help With Data Entry?

Yes, there are. 

These include:

• Text-to-Speech Software
• Text Expander Tools
• Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Software
• Cloud Storage and Collaboration Tools
• Automation Software
• Grammar Correction Apps

What’s the Best Way to Invoice International Clients for Data Entry Work?

Some of the best practices for billing international clients include:

• Use Professional Invoicing Software (i.e. Quickbooks, PayPal Invoicing),

• Include Essential Information (Your name and your client’s name and contact information, invoice number and date, payment due date, etc.),

• Specify Payment Methods,

• Add Currency Conversion Details,

• Set Clear Payment Terms,

• Attach Documentation,

• Follow Tax Compliance Rules,

• Confirm Delivery and Receipt, and

• Offer Multiple Payment Channels.

However, you can skip all these steps by working with a trusted outsourcing company like Remote Staff.

Here, you’ll receive your salary directly, and in full, instead of going through the steps above.

Conclusion: Data Entry As Gateway to the Remote Work Landscape

Ready to start a career in online data entry jobs?

Maximize your chances of landing one with Remote Staff.

Aside from data entry roles, our jobs list contains plenty of positions to choose from. 

These range from virtual assistant jobs and online transcription jobs to online writing jobs and online design jobs.

So, what are you waiting for? Sign up here. Good luck!