Wanted: Free typing course(s), with certificate.

Horace

When I am in work, my normal typing speed is 80wpm but last year I lost my job and since I started in that job in January 07, I typed 1 letter and didnt type anything else plus the December before was the last time I did any audio typing. I went to register with an agency and took their typing tests and they announced - oh you wont get a job your speed is too slow at 40wpm (well I guess it was slow so I have never had any work from them because they were not prepared to take a risk). I even showed them my certificates - I have RSA Stage II and Stage III (I somehow failed Stage I!). Mind, you dont see any jobs these days asking for Stage III and when you say that you have got it employers seem to fall over themselves. I can still remember the exam sitting at an old manual typewriter typing diagonal headings that all had to line up - can't seem to do that on a PC these days.

When you go for jobs that involve any amount of typing you will be asked to take a test, I haven't yet not been given a test and I have been alternately working/going for interviews since 1980 when I left college.

Go and get yourself onto a proper course with a proper qualification.

caseyjones_2

Thank you to everybody for the advice. I'm now planning to work on my typing and look into getting a good standard certificate at some point.
Looking around briefly, it does seem that the sort of qualifications worth having are quite specific: The RSA and a few others.

PasturesNew

I used to teach RSA I, II and III Typewriting. Back in the days when RSA III involved having to read really dodgy handwriting and correct spelling and grammar mistakes as well as actually type the letters.

The skillset was not just typing, maths (we had to calculate tables by hand back then), letter layout standards, but also reading bad hand-writing and knowing your spelling and grammar inside out.

These days, I notice, all the standards have gone right out of the window and letters now are just typed however somebody decides it looks nice (their opinion!).

The first skills are speed and accuracy. Employers won't test you - although agencies will. I hate agency tests. You are stuck there on an unfamiliar PC having to perform on demand in the middle of their busy office while other people are coming in/out and phones are ringing. Last test I did I got 97wpm, which isn't too bad under the circumstances.

There seems to be no premium these days for being the best/fastest because employers have no idea of the exams and, with PCs being used, are not looking for typists in the same way they would have in the 70s and 80s. Back then it was important to be perfect and fast as you'd have to type it entirely again if you got it wrong!

If you just get your speed and accuracy as high as you can and ensure your spelling and grammar are good then you'll be fine.

Good luck!

A_little_stressed!!

Can I bump this, I'm after a sight that does a free typing test? Don't need a certificate yet, just know my speed!

Rex_Mundi

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bandraoi

caseyjones wrote: »

I can't see any interviewer testing how many word per minute I can type. Therefore I imagine a certificate would be better than just my word.

You bring up a good point though. I don't know how standard it is to have "proof" of typing skills for admin. work. As it is my typing is horrible so a course(with or without certificate) would be necessary.

I've been tested before when enrolling with a temping agency. I wouldn't bother with a certificate, if it's that important to them they'll test you, or fire you if they find out you're not up to scratch.