How rapidly must you keyboard to qualify for an office
job?  There is no single answer as the demands of different
office jobs vary widely.  However, for the typical employee
the following skill levels apply.  Generally, the beginning
keyboarder must enter data at a stroking rate of forty-five
words per minute.  This is the minimum requirement for most
entry level office jobs, although there are exceptions.  As
the rate of pay for a keying job increases, so do the skill
requirements.  The typical office job, for both experienced
and novice employees, requires fifty-five words per minute.
     The secretarial level jobs that normally require years
of work experience generally demand a keying rate of sixty-
five words per minute--or more.  In the event you apply for
an office job this is what you ought to expect.  First, you
will be permitted to practice on the keyboard that you will
use to key your straight copy timings.  Usually each timing
is for either three or five minutes.  You should anticipate
being required to take your timing tests on a microcomputer
that uses the Microsoft operating system, as this system is
common in offices.  Attempt to relax as you take the tests.