A WPM resume showcases your typing speed, proving efficiency. To effectively include it, focus on roles where typing is a core skill, like administrative, data entry, or customer service. Quantify your WPM with context, such as “Typing speed of 85 WPM with 98% accuracy,” to highlight proficiency and reliability.
Welcome! As a career and resume strategist, I know how daunting the job search can feel, especially when you’re unsure how to highlight your unique skills. Many students and professionals wonder if and how they should include their typing speed, often measured in Words Per Minute (WPM), on their resume. It’s a common question, and for good reason! In today’s fast-paced work environment, efficiency is key, and your WPM can be a powerful indicator of that. Don’t worry, we’ll break down exactly how to present this skill effectively. Let’s make your resume stand out!
Why Your WPM Matters on a Resume
In certain professions, your typing speed isn’t just a casual skill; it’s a fundamental requirement that directly impacts productivity and efficiency. Think about roles like administrative assistants, data entry clerks, transcriptionists, customer service representatives, and even many paralegal or legal secretary positions. For these jobs, being able to input information quickly and accurately is crucial for completing tasks on time and serving clients or customers effectively.
A high WPM can set you apart from other candidates who might have similar experience or education but lack this demonstrable technical proficiency. It signals to employers that you can handle a significant volume of work with speed and precision, reducing the need for extensive on-the-job training for this specific skill. It’s a tangible metric that speaks volumes about your potential contribution to their team.
When to Include Your WPM on Your Resume
The decision to include your WPM on your resume hinges on relevance. If the job description explicitly mentions typing speed, accuracy, or tasks that heavily rely on fast data input, then absolutely include it. Even if it’s not explicitly stated, consider the nature of the role. If it involves significant computer work, drafting documents, managing databases, or communicating via written channels, your WPM could be a valuable asset.
Here’s a quick guide:
- Job Description Keywords: Look for terms like “typing speed,” “data entry,” “transcription,” “keyboarding,” “document preparation,” “accurate data input,” “fast typist,” or “administrative support.”
- Role Responsibilities: If the job involves tasks like answering emails, writing reports, updating customer records, creating spreadsheets, or processing information, your WPM is likely relevant.
- Industry Standards: Certain industries, particularly those with high volumes of administrative or data-intensive work, often value strong typing skills.
Conversely, if you’re applying for a role where typing is secondary to other skills, like creative design, strategic planning, or hands-on technical work, you might omit your WPM to keep your resume concise and focused on more critical qualifications.
How to Determine Your WPM
Before you can put your WPM on your resume, you need to know what it is! Fortunately, there are many free and reliable online typing tests available. These tests typically present you with a passage of text to type, and they measure how many words you type within a set time (usually one or two minutes). They also often calculate your accuracy percentage, which is just as important as speed.
Here’s how to get an accurate WPM score:
- Find a Reputable Typing Test: Search online for “free typing speed test.” Popular and trusted sites include Typing.com, Keybr.com, Ratatype.com, and TypingTest.com.
- Choose a Test Type: Most sites offer different types of tests, such as passage-based tests (typing an article) or word-based tests. Passage-based tests are generally more representative of real-world typing.
- Focus on Accuracy: While speed is important, accuracy is paramount. Many tests calculate WPM based on correctly typed words. If you make many errors, your effective WPM will be much lower. Aim for tests that provide both speed and accuracy metrics.
- Take Multiple Tests: To get a reliable average, take several tests over a few days. Your typing speed can fluctuate based on your focus, fatigue, and the complexity of the text.
- Note Your Best and Average Scores: It’s often beneficial to have both your highest accurate WPM and a consistent average. For your resume, it’s usually best to state your highest accurate score or a well-established average.
Tip: When stating your WPM, always include your accuracy percentage. A WPM of 80 with 99% accuracy is far more impressive than 100 WPM with 85% accuracy.
Where to Put Your WPM on Your Resume
The placement of your WPM can vary depending on your resume format and the specific job you’re targeting. Here are the most common and effective places:
1. Skills Section
This is often the most straightforward and widely accepted place. Your skills section is a dedicated area to list your proficiencies, both technical and soft. You can list your WPM alongside other relevant computer skills.
Example:
- Technical Skills: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Google Workspace, Data Entry, Typing Speed: 85 WPM (98% Accuracy), CRM Software (Salesforce), Adobe Photoshop.
2. Summary or Objective Statement
If typing speed is a core requirement or a particularly strong selling point for the role, you can weave it into your resume’s summary or objective statement. This immediately grabs the hiring manager’s attention.
Example Summary:
Highly organized and efficient administrative professional with 5+ years of experience supporting executive teams. Proven ability to manage complex schedules, prepare detailed reports, and maintain accurate records. Possesses a typing speed of 90 WPM with 99% accuracy, ensuring rapid and precise data input and communication.
Example Objective (for entry-level roles):
Detail-oriented recent graduate seeking an Administrative Assistant position. Eager to leverage strong organizational skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and a typing speed of 80 WPM (98% accuracy) to contribute effectively to a dynamic office environment.
3. Experience Section (Under Specific Roles)
If your typing speed was particularly relevant to a past job and contributed to specific achievements, you can mention it within the bullet points describing your responsibilities and accomplishments for that role.
Example:
- Managed incoming customer inquiries via phone and email, responding to an average of 100+ emails daily with a typing speed of 85 WPM, resulting in a 15% increase in customer satisfaction ratings.
- Accurately transcribed medical reports and patient notes, maintaining a consistent typing speed of 90 WPM with 99% accuracy, ensuring timely billing and record-keeping.
4. Dedicated “Typing Speed” Section (Less Common)
While less common and generally not recommended unless you are applying for a highly specialized role where typing is the primary function (like a dedicated transcriptionist), you could create a very brief, separate section. However, integrating it into the Skills section is usually more professional and space-efficient.
How to Phrase Your WPM on a Resume
Clarity and conciseness are key. Here are several effective ways to phrase your typing speed:
- Typing Speed: [Number] WPM ([Accuracy Percentage]% Accuracy)
- WPM: [Number] ([Accuracy Percentage]% Accuracy)
- Keyboarding Speed: [Number] WPM
- Accurate Typing Speed: [Number] WPM
- Proficient Typist: [Number] WPM
Examples in context:
- Typing Speed: 85 WPM (98% Accuracy)
- WPM: 95 (99% Accuracy)
- Keyboarding Speed: 70 WPM
Always aim to be truthful. Employers may test your typing speed during the interview process.
What if Your WPM is Lower?
Don’t be discouraged if your typing speed isn’t as high as you’d like, or if it’s below the average for some roles. The good news is that typing is a skill that can be improved with practice! If your WPM is on the lower side, consider these strategies:
- Focus on Accuracy: If your speed is moderate but your accuracy is high (98-100%), emphasize the accuracy. Many employers prioritize error-free work over raw speed. You could phrase it as “Accurate data entry with a typing speed of 65 WPM.”
- Practice Regularly: Dedicate 10-15 minutes each day to online typing practice. Websites like Typing.com offer structured lessons and games that can significantly boost your speed and accuracy over time. Aim to increase your WPM by 5-10 points within a month.
- Don’t Highlight if Not Required: If typing speed isn’t a major requirement for the job, it might be best to omit your WPM altogether. Focus instead on other skills that are more relevant to the position.
- Frame it as Growth: If you’re actively working on improving, you could potentially mention it in a cover letter: “I am actively improving my typing speed, currently at 60 WPM, and am dedicated to reaching 80 WPM through consistent practice.” (Use this approach cautiously and only if comfortable.)
Remember, consistency and attention to detail are often valued just as much, if not more, than sheer speed. Focus on presenting your skills in the best possible light.
Accuracy vs. Speed: Which is More Important?
This is a crucial distinction. While speed gets the job done quickly, accuracy ensures the job is done correctly. For most roles, accuracy is paramount. Imagine a data entry clerk who types 100 WPM but makes constant errors; this would lead to costly mistakes, wasted time correcting them, and potentially damaged data integrity.
A candidate with a slightly lower WPM but near-perfect accuracy (98-100%) is often far more valuable. They can be trusted to handle sensitive information and perform tasks reliably.
When presenting your WPM, always include your accuracy percentage. This provides a complete picture of your typing proficiency.
Here’s a comparison:
| Candidate | WPM | Accuracy | Potential Employer View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex | 90 WPM | 99% | Highly efficient and reliable. Excellent for roles requiring speed and precision. |
| Ben | 75 WPM | 99% | Very dependable. Good for roles where accuracy is critical, even if speed is slightly lower. |
| Chris | 100 WPM | 90% | Fast, but potential for errors. May require additional training or supervision to improve accuracy. |
| Dana | 60 WPM | 95% | Slower, but reasonably accurate. Might be suitable for less time-sensitive tasks or entry-level data roles. |
As you can see, Alex and Ben present stronger profiles for most roles where typing is important. Prioritize accuracy in your practice and in how you present your skills.
Examples of WPM in Different Resume Sections
Let’s look at more concrete examples of how to integrate your WPM effectively:
Example 1: Skills Section (Standard)
Skills
- Computer Proficiency: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), Google Workspace, Data Entry, Typing Speed: 80 WPM (98% Accuracy), Adobe Acrobat Pro, Zoom, Slack.
- Languages: English (Native), Spanish (Conversational).
- Other: Project Management, Event Planning, Customer Relationship Management (CRM).
Example 2: Summary Statement (Emphasizing Efficiency)
Summary
Results-driven Administrative Assistant with a proven track record of enhancing office efficiency and providing comprehensive support. Adept at managing calendars, coordinating meetings, and preparing professional correspondence. Boasts a typing speed of 85 WPM with 99% accuracy, ensuring swift and precise completion of data-intensive tasks.
Example 3: Experience Bullet Point (Quantifying Achievement)
Professional Experience
Data Entry Clerk | ABC Company | City, State | August 2021 – Present
- Entered and verified customer information into the company database, processing an average of 500 records daily with 99% accuracy.
- Maintained the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive data, utilizing a typing speed of 85 WPM to ensure timely updates and minimize backlog.
- Assisted with generating monthly reports by compiling data from various sources, contributing to a 10% improvement in reporting turnaround time.
Example 4: Objective Statement (Entry-Level Focus)
Objective
Enthusiastic and detail-oriented recent graduate seeking an entry-level Administrative Assistant position at [Company Name]. Eager to apply strong organizational abilities, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and a typing speed of 75 WPM (98% Accuracy) to support daily office operations and contribute to team success.
Best Practices for Including WPM
To make sure your WPM inclusion is effective and professional, keep these best practices in mind:
- Be Honest: Never inflate your typing speed or accuracy. Employers often use typing tests as part of the screening or interview process.
- Context is Key: Always pair your WPM with your accuracy percentage. This provides a complete and more valuable metric.
- Prioritize Relevance: Only include your WPM if it’s relevant to the job you’re applying for. Don’t clutter your resume with information that doesn’t support your candidacy for that specific role.
- Keep it Concise: State your WPM clearly and briefly. Avoid lengthy explanations unless it’s a very specific role (like a professional transcriptionist).
- Consistency: Ensure the WPM you state is consistent with what you can demonstrate. If you’re unsure, it’s better to be conservative.
- Proofread: Double-check the spelling and grammar of your entire resume, especially the skills section.
External Resources for Skill Development
Improving your typing skills can open up many more career opportunities. Here are some reputable resources to help you practice and enhance your WPM:
- Typing.com: Offers free typing lessons, games, and tests for all skill levels. Their structured curriculum is excellent for beginners. Visit Typing.com
- Keybr.com: Uses adaptive learning techniques to help you master typing by focusing on your weakest keys. Visit Keybr.com
- Ratatype.com: Provides typing lessons, tests, and certifications. They also offer tips on improving posture and technique. Visit Ratatype.com
- North American Industry Classification System (NAICS): While not directly for typing, understanding industry codes can help you identify roles where typing speed is a common requirement. Learn about NAICS Codes
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook provides detailed information on various occupations, including typical skills and requirements, which can help you gauge the importance of typing speed in different fields. Explore Occupations with BLS
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is it always necessary to include my WPM on my resume?
No, it’s not always necessary. Only include your WPM if the job description specifically asks for it, or if the role heavily relies on typing skills (e.g., administrative, data entry, transcription). For many other roles, it might not be relevant and could clutter your resume.
2. What is considered a “good” WPM?
A “good” WPM can vary by industry and role. Generally, 60-80 WPM with