What are employers really looking for?
Everyone wants to get a good project to work on, a good pay and to please their employer. However, not everyone knows how to get these three things done, but there's help.
It’s important to first define the key words in this article, so we can be clear on the subject.
- Data - is statistics or facts about something, that is collected for reference or analysis, to assist in calculating, reasoning, or planning.
- Data Entry - is the input of statistics or facts about something into a database or a data recording system.
- Data Processing - is the conversion of raw data into meaningful information for use in reasoning, planning, research or education.
To be successful and competitive in data entry and processing projects, a freelancer has to first understand what employers look for. These are the six major things that every employer requires.
- Accuracy.
- Presentation.
- Privacy.
- Timeliness.
- Value for money.
- Quality.
Accuracy
No employer wants to present a document or to make decisions using statistics that were input or processed using incorrect data.
Presentation
When an employer hires a freelancer to do a task for them, the employer expects a complete job, and one that looks great as well. The employer expects that all (s)he has to do is consume the information or use it for whatever purpose, including presenting it, and it has to appeal.
Privacy
While some employers require that one agree to a non-disclosure agreement, other employers do not. That does not mean that they do not worry about the information they have submitted flying around. It is important to keep provided information private and secure, and this needs to be respected and upheld for all employers.
Timeliness
For whatever use the data provided to a freelancer for entry or processing may be for, it’s required complete after a certain duration of time. Some tasks may be required complete by the employer at a certain set time, due to deadlines that are out of their control. A failure to complete the task at the agreed time may cause negative consequences to the freelancer, and in some occasions, give a negative view of the freelancing concept in its entirety.
Value for money
Some employers don’t worry much about how much they spend to have a certain task done for them, as long as it’s done as they would want it done. On the other hand, some employers really want to feel that they spent their money on a valuable course, and they are the majority. A freelancer has to therefore ensure that the quality of work done is outstanding and appreciative of the pay.
Quality
No employer wants to have a task they can't be proud of, done for them. Every employer wants a job that they can own. A task so well done that they are proud to be associated with it. This involves the inclusion of all the factors that make a job look both professional and presentable. The complete job has to be useful as intended by the employer.
Fulfilling the employer's demands.
Now that we know what employers are looking for, let’s look at how to fulfil these demands from the employer.
To achieve accuracy, proofread. Have someone else where possible, check your work for errors before submitting it. For data entry and processing, check that the raw data matches the data input and processed before submission.
To achieve proper presentation, take your time and make the final copy look great. Ask yourself, what copy would sell, or better yet, what copy would win. If your judgement is good, you will be sure to have a great final copy. To be sure, you can ask someone else what copy looks best, or what can be done to better a given sample. If that’s not an option, you can check recommendations made by other employers in the past, and this may give you a guide. For me, I stick with simplicity, elegance and professionalism.
To achieve privacy, always stick to the do’s and don’ts from your employer. Privacy is a wide subject, but there are the basic minimums. These are; delete the files when done, don’t share the information, have an updated and reputable antivirus program installed in your computer and use only secure and verified upload means when submitting the required material.
To achieve timeliness, plan your time carefully and realistically. Don’t take up projects you can’t complete in time, and don’t take up so many projects such that would overwhelm or constrain you. It’s also important to check that your typing speed does not derail you in your pursuit of the timely completion of a set task.
To achieve value for money for your employer, it’s simple. Put yourself in your employer’s shoes, and ask yourself if you would pay the same amount of money for the same job. The answer may come out as a yes when the job isn’t really good, so still ask yourself, if would you be happy to be known to have been paid to do the already complete job. If your answer is yes to both questions, then you are probably good to go. All this goes to discipline, ethics, personal principles and a desire to do the right thing. It’s difficult and it's always tricky attempting to weigh or measure discipline, ethics, principles and desire. One thing stands though. That everyone would treat others well enough if they knew for a fact that what they do to others, is what they deserve as well, and so what’s right is personally known to every individual.
To achieve quality, employ professionalism. A job well done is error free, consistent, standard and is ratable among the best works produced by others in the past.
With these six issues taken care of, you will be sure to increase your competitiveness and success especially in data entry and processing.
