How do I get a data entry or office job if I'm a high school dropout who has never worked before?

Question

I'm a high school dropout with absolutely no work history, and I was wondering how I could get a data entry or office job if I have no education or have never had a job before. Almost all office jobs, even the lowest paying ones, require education and at least 1 year of previous experience. All I know is Microsoft Word 2000 and other basic computer skills and I'm very good in math. Could anyone help me out? Is there a paying data entry or office job out there that requires no education or experience, just basic computer skills? Could anyone help me find the data entry or office job I've been looking for? Thanks so much.

I am willing and ready to work. In fact, I'm learning Microsoft Office all by myself. I'm also on my second day of teaching myself Microsoft Word 2000 and I have learned so much in the last 48 hrs. After learning Microsoft Word, I'm going to teach myself the other components of Microsoft Office 2000 (i.e. Access, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint) That's how motivated I am to get a job. I know I have what it takes to get a data entry or office job.

Answer 1

See "KLU" answer above
35+ years in management, I have to agree. You may have the will, and need. You must also have the knowledge. Get your GED, Go to school and learn the "computer world", as there is much more to it than "office". Hard wok in you furthering your education, and with that will come knowledge, will come work. Work hard.
Good Luck.
I do not hire people as to how they look (I do expect neatness). I hire them for knowledge, based on experience. Yes we all have to start somewhere.
Hope this help

Answer 2

I don't feel that dropouts are evil. Dave Thomas was a high school drop out and he founded Wendy's. He was also adopted. I do think that dropouts are at an economical disadvantage. Most jobs require a minimum of a high school diploma. Without it, you are more likely to make poverty wages. Life will continue to be difficulty. Can you afford insurance? What about if you were to become really sick? Could you afford the medication and treatment? How about kids? Kids are expensive. My daycare alone is $1400 a month. Can you afford that? (It is not a private or fancy daycare either.) Don't forget diapers and formula. They get sick too. There is also retirement that you need to plan for. Don't plan on social security will be around to support you. Yes, people with degrees can also work for crappy wages, but the probability of it increases when you don't have a degree/diploma. You don't necessarily have to go to college, but at least graduate from high school. Maybe later, look at attending a trade school. Plumbers and electricians make damn good money! Make sure more doors are open instead of closed. You are competing with other individuals who do have degrees and when comparing apples to apples, they are going to look better on a resume than you. When a company received 75 resumes, they will start eliminating by education levels. It's just an easy place to start. And for the record, Paris Hilton is a moron. She is a dumb twit that if her Mommy and Daddy didn't have the money, she would be nothing more than trash on a street corner.

Answer 3

Get the equivalent to a H.S. diploma--the GED.Ask about it at community centers or community colleges. This is the General Educational Development certificate and the training is free. Many people don't realize that volunteer work is counted as experience when looking for a job. Contact some place you'd like to work for and discuss volunteer office work if you can use Microsoft XP and Excel--the two most popular software. PowerPoint is about the next popular. Sometimes volunteer jobs turn into paying jobs You sound like a very smart person and I predict you'll go far.. Sorry this is the best I can do. Hope things work out.

Answer 4

Go to a work force center in the area. That's a place where they help you get a job for free. Take a typing test, usually in data entry and office positions they require you to type at least over 60 Words Per Minute. Here in Texas it's called the Texas Workforce Center and they even help you out with free training. Sometimes they even have a program where you can get your GED while working. Look up on the internet about something like that in your area.

Answer 5

First, you should FINISH school. As an employer when I see that one has not finished something so simple and rudimentary as High School I see someone that probably will not finish a job. High school is easy and fun for the most part. A demonstration of your inability to see the obvious is the fact that you are learning an Office suite that is nearly ten years old. Most companies are using Office XP, the 2007 Betas have been released, and it is scheduled for distribution by the end of the year. MS office 2000 is antiquated. Yet another demonstration of your inability to think on your own, a working body that is unable or unwilling to use its brain for something other than what is my next meal and what is the latest greatest rap song or what are the latest styles is useless. If you are going to get a job then you must know what the trends in your line of work. What new technologies are COMING what do I need to know about the new technology. What is the latest in data transfer, how does it work, how does it benefit my job, etc, etc.

The reason one gets a college degree is to prove that they can do more than be a robot that cannot think on its own. The reason people want a minimum of a GED or High School diploma is to insure that the future employee was smart enough and motivated enough to finish the MINIMUM education. Sadly, you have NOT, and that speaks volumes about where your mind is and was, obviously, it was not on your future!

Answer 6

You could try going to a temp agency. Make sure that it's the sort of temp agency that tests all of the applicants' skills, so that you've got proof-positive of your competence in the areas in which you're interested in working.

Then, after you've worked for the temp agency for several months, you will have experience, and you can start applying for permanent jobs.

Also, some of the jobs that the temp agency will send you out on MIGHT be "temp-to-perm," in which case you'd be "set"--assuming that they like you enough to hire you.

THEN be sure to go to night school (or take online course, or whatever it takes) and get your GED.

Good luck!

P.S. Do NOT try to come off as a sex bomb. I don't know whether or not the other answerer was kidding, but that's never a good idea...unless you're looking to get laid, not hired. Always be a professional, and--when it comes to dating-- never "fish in the office pond," if you want to be respected in the long run.

Answer 7

I commend you on your self sufficiency, self reliant abilities. You are driven and you will be successful. I suggest once you learn all that you can from these self taught books go to an employment agency and sign up with them. There they will test you computer knowledge and I am more than sure you will pass these entry test. They will then send you to job assignments which you must be punctual to. Look professional and eventually these temp jobs turn out to be permanent. You are going to be super. Good luck and if you like please give me an update on your success!

Answer 8

With a computer at home and internet connection, you can start earning from home, without any investment. You should choose your work at home job according to your skills and time available.
If you have a good typing speed, general and legal transcription jobs from companies like Mountain West, Tigerfish and Accutran are available. Some of these companies do not require any experience.
You can apply directly from their websites which are listed at
http://tinyurl.com/o65rb
Medical transcription work at home is also available if you have completed a course and have relevant experience.

Answer 9

Get your GED first of all. Most places are going to require at least that.
Try an independent business. Dress appropriately when you interview and appear confident in yourself.
Do yourself a great favor and get back in school.
I would try a hospital, they might let you start out in medical records or something like that.
Good Luck.

Answer 10

I was surprised to learn one of my co=workers at the bank had not finished high school BUT is planning to get the GED so why not try this? Not sure where you are but it would certainly begin your resume and there is a lot of computer work with the job. Get that GED for sure!