It’s said that more people change their lives in January than at any other time of the year. Instead of the typical weight loss and exercise resolutions, maybe you should consider something that will serve you much better; learning to improve your typing speed.
Currently, the average adult types about 41 words per minute. This is a fraction of what the world’s fastest typists can attain. The world record of 216 words in one minute was set in 1946 and on a standard QWERTY keyboard, has not been beaten since.
Why should this matter, though? Why should you worry about increasing your words per minute speed?
Two words: Job offering
The faster and more accurately you type, the more desirable you will be to potential employers. There are very few jobs left that do not require at least some form of computer and typing knowledge. An employer looking to hire someone is going to choose the experienced typist who can manage an average of 60-70 words per minute over a hunt and peck typist who can only manage 20 words per minute every single time.
Learning to improve typing speed can be as easy as spending 20-30 minutes every day doing accuracy and speed drills, in addition to your normal computer usage. It’s no different than learning another language; it’s all practice and repetition.
But don’t take our word for it. Throw out a couple of sample resumes, with your words per minute speed listed as 25 or 30 words per minute. See how many responses you get saying “You just aren’t the right fit for this position” and how many times your resume simply gets overlooked or thrown away.
Learning to properly touch type is, by far, the most important skill you can ever learn. It won’t happen overnight, but just dedicate a little time each day to practice and you’ll be typing with the best of them in no time.
Courtesy of: Ratatype.
Adam Fort , educator and touch typing enthusiast. His goal to help people all over the world to type faster.
