Quick resume question, okay, kind of a weird resume question...

I'm applying for a new job and the online app asks me to list my short-hand WPM. I haven't a clue how to figure this out. It's not like I can have Dr. J test me and write it down as fact.

While we're on the subject, does anyone know a good site that you can test your typing skills on? I'm pretty fast, but it's been 15 years since I tested myself.

Anyhelp is appreciated here, since I'd like to apply as soon as possible.

 

There's a couple facebook game apps that have typing games. That could give an indication. Forget exactly where they are, but I think either under the Games app or the Mindjolt games.

You could probably google typing games or typing speed and some programs would come up.

 

I am surprised about the shorthand. That's kind of a dying skill, I would think.

If would guess that you take your typing number and multiply by 1.5 or something. How are they going to test you?

If you have experience taking notes as a writer, you're probably pretty good at "shorthand" though few writers are formally trained at it.

 

Who actually learns shorthand anymore? There are these things called tape/digital recorders. Been around for a little while. On the rare occasion you have to actually write the quotes everyone should have learned a note taking strategy that works for them in college. I know nothing about shorthand but I can do an interview without a recorder without mistakes.

 

Did they ask you if you could read and write Latin?

I think they stopped teaching it in school in about 1965.

 

I'm a bit confused, FJ...do you actually KNOW shorthand?

If not, just put NA, I'd think...don't tell them you have a skill you don't.

If knowing shorthand matters for this job, it's still not going to help to tell them anything but that.

I think if you put 40 WMP for typing, you're in the normal range. If you consider yourself fast, go 50 or whatever....

 

Final test probably will be to diagram a sentence.

If they want true shorthand, you may have to go with NA or 0. But I imagine most of us have our own version of shorthand. If that's what they're looking for, an estimate might not be a bad idea. If it's that big of a concern, you might email someone at the paper and ask them.

 

Just to clarify, I'm applying for an administrative assistant position in a doctor's office. There is a standard application to fill out, and I would like to put something down so I don't get looked over.

I'm not formally trained in shorthand, but obviously I've had to use it in 11 years on the job. Am I fluent? No. Can I get by in a pinch? I'm more than capable.

Oh, and what's a good typing speed?

 

I just got 77 wpm at www.typingtest.com. It said the average was 36. Of course, I also selected "sports headlines (NYT)" which threw me off because there was an N.F.L. in there, which just messed with my head.

 

Just got 89 on the Rules of Baseball one.

 

Gotta be fast typing all that jv swimming agate.

 

I got 62 wpm (adjusted due to four errors) on the Rules of Baseball one. Not bad for someone who was given a D+ in his high school typing class, because his teacher took pitty on him.