Skills
Typist Skills & Tools
The technical skills, people skills and tools employers look for in typists, and how to build and show them.
What skills do typists need?
Typists need technical skills such as fast typing, word processing, and document formatting, plus people skills like accuracy and focus. They also use tools such as Microsoft Word and Google Docs.
Technical (hard) skills
- Fast typing
- Word processing
- Document formatting
- Proofreading
- Transcription
- Mail merge
People (soft) skills
- Accuracy
- Focus
- Reliability
- Attention to detail
Tools, equipment and technology
- Microsoft Word
- Google Docs
- Transcription software
- Foot pedals
- PDF tools
- Templates
Skills in action: common tasks
These step-by-step guides show how typists put their skills to work:
- How to format a long report with styles
- How to proofread a document thoroughly
- How to run a mail merge
How to show these skills on a resume
- Lead your skills section with the technical skills from the job posting, for example, “Fast typing” and “Word processing.”
- Prove soft skills with results: instead of listing “accuracy,” describe a situation where you used it.
- List credentials such as Microsoft Office Specialist near the top, with the issuing organization and date.
- Use the employer’s vocabulary. Our typist glossary covers the terms hiring managers expect.
How to build these skills
Formal training, supervised practice and certification are the most direct routes. Our Typist training introduces each of these skills with plain-language lessons, procedures and a final knowledge check: a strong foundation before hands-on training or your first day.