You can measure your typing speed quite easily by doing an online test. Did you know that some jobs require you to have a specific typing speed before applying to them? It might be useful to include your speed in your resume. This article will explain when that’s necessary.
How to List Typing Speed on Your Resume
To list your typing speed on your resume, you should place it under the “skills” section. It’s most commonly written as “typing speed of x WPM” or “I can write at x WPM.” The exact wording relates to how important your typing speed is for the job you’re applying for.
Some of these examples will demonstrate how to list typing speed:
- Skills:
- Typing speed of 80 WPM
- Skills:
- I have a typing speed of 60 WPM
- Skills:
- 60 WPM Typing speed
These are the standard ways to list your typing speed in a resume. It helps to keep it short and sweet. Remember, the “Skills” section should only appear in your CV as a list of bullet points. That’s why it’s important to keep it concise.
Your typing speed should come alongside other related skills such as “proficient in Microsoft Word.” This will tell a prospective employer that you have skills related to writing quickly.
Sometimes, you don’t need to list the exact WPM (words per minute). You can instead write something like the following:
- Proficient typing skills
- Good typing speed
It’s good to include typing speed if you’re applying for a job that requires it. You will often see this in the advert that you’re responding to.
Should You Put Typing Speed on a Resume?
It will help to mention typing skills on a resume if you’re applying to a job that requires them. You should include them for certain office jobs and copywriting jobs, where a higher WPM might be required to get through sufficient workloads.
You don’t always have to mention words per minute on your resume, though it’s useful to include if you know what yours is. Sometimes, a simple “proficient typing skills” is enough.
WPM is only for jobs that require a specific number of words per minute. If the job doesn’t require you to type at a specific rate, you can keep it broader (or avoid mentioning your typing speed at all). There are plenty of options available.
With that said, it’s always good to know what your WPM is. You never know when it might come in handy!
If you know your WPM, you should write something like this in your CV:
- 60 WPM typing speed
- Typing speed of 80 WPM
Obviously, the number used will vary based on your typing speed. Different people have different skill sets, and some type much faster than others.
For example, an office worker might only type at 60 WPM. 60 is usually sufficient for most office jobs.
However, many copywriters (especially ones who have to get through a lot of writing in a day) have a WPM of 90 or more. It depends entirely on the demands of the job and how many years of typing experience someone has.
What’s a Good WPM for a Resume?
Knowing a “good” WPM for a resume depends on the job you’re applying for. If WPM is required, it will be highlighted in the job description. If you do not have the required WPM, then it’s likely that you will not be a good fit for the company.
If the job description says the following:
- Applicants must have a WPM of 60 or more.
This means you need to match or beat the listed WPM of 60. 40 WPM (for example) wouldn’t be good enough here.
It’s entirely dependent on the job. Some jobs would require much greater WPMs, depending on the workload they expect from their employees.
If you’re worried about your WPM being too low, it might be wise to look for another job. Alternatively, you can always try to improve if you have the time. There are plenty of resources online to help you with this.
How to Describe Your Typing Skills
It would help to see how to put typing skills on a resume before including them. There aren’t many specific methods that work better than others. Still, the following examples should help you figure out the best choices:
- I am a proficient typer.
- I can write at 60 WPM.
- I am able to sustain 80 WPM throughout my work.
- I am good at typing and have plenty of practice in Microsoft Word.
- 100 WPM typing speed.
Knowing how to write typing skills on a resume doesn’t have to be rocket science. You should keep it sweet and simple, drawing attention to your typing ability or speed above anything else.
You don’t have to go overboard with it. Sometimes, just listing your WPM works:
- Skills:
- 60 WPM
This gets straight to the point and gives your potential employer a chance to see what you’re capable of if they were to hire you.
Where to Include Typing Speed on a Resume
Next, you should learn where to put typing speed on your resume. People will use different tactics and styles for their resumes, but your typing speed and skills should always come under the “Skills” section.
Typing speed is a skill. It’s something that people develop over time and with some practice. It’s good to include it in the “Skills” section alongside anything else you think is relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Imagine you’ve just applied to an office job that asked for 60 WPM. You might have a “Skills” section that looks like this:
- Skills:
- 60 WPM typing speed
- Proficient with Microsoft Excel
- Detail-oriented
Now, imagine you’re applying for a job role at a fast food restaurant. It might not be wise to include the same “Skills” list as above. After all, it seems unlikely that you’ll need to demonstrate your typing prowess to be able to cook or serve food.
You have to adapt your resume to the job you’re applying for. Only include relevant skills that you think will help to sell you as a solid worker.
Example of a Resume That Highlights Writing Skills
Perhaps an example will help you understand how to highlight writing and typing skills. This way, you’ll better understand what to put in your resume if you need typing skills.
George Taylor
43 Church Street
Ashton
TN2 0SJ
Summary
Organized office administrator with 5+ years of experience managing administrative work and collating data for management.
Skills
Typing speed of 75 WPM
Proficient with all Microsoft Office programs
Detail-oriented
Punctual
Excellent written and verbal communication
Work Experience
Kingsley Offices 2016-2021
Worked at a consistent rate of 75 WPM, increasing the overall efficiency of the office by 15%
Bridgeford Interiors 2021-2022
Improved efficiency by 10%
Gained proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word
This resume is a great way to show you how you can include written skills and typing speeds in your resume. It’s good to do this when you want to show that you match the criteria that someone is looking for.
Remember, all of this is irrelevant if the job you’re applying for doesn’t need typing speed. You should have a rough idea of whether a good typing speed applies to your job before you go for it.