How to test applicants for data entry skills

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Jim Van Hoven
Jim Van Hoven ✭
Ninth Anniversary Photogenic First Reply
in Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT®: General Discussion
We are hiring two staff members to enter in Raiser's Edge. We'd like to test their data entry skills. We may not find experienced RE staff so how do we test for basic data entry skills? We are assuming we'd train them in RE after hiring but want them to be a good fit.
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  • Ellen Turner
    Ellen Turner ✭
    Ninth Anniversary Facilitator 1 Photogenic
    I've made spreadsheets and documents for candidates to review looking for typos and transcription errors that are common when doing data entry.



    For example - having the "0" missing from the front of the zip code for New England states; having obviously mis-matched cities and states; having the city and state reversed in the field, etc.



     
  • Nia Smith
    Nia Smith ✭
    Tenth Anniversary Photogenic First Reply
    We test all Development Associates for RE. 



    You can have them do a standard typing test which will test for accuracy and speed. 

    At my org we have applicants do gift batch entry - this is also a way of testing their attention to detail. 

    Since instituting this, I have seen much cleaner entry into the database. 
  • Raelene Jolliff
    Raelene Jolliff ✭
    Tenth Anniversary Photogenic First Reply
    On a few previous job interviews I would have to run a few basic reports - Gift Summary for a specifed fund and/or appeal using different date ranges and campaigns.  
  • Jen Claudy
    Jen Claudy ✭
    Tenth Anniversary Facilitator 4 Name Dropper Photogenic
    Three related threads on this topic, all in the Community:

    Raiser's Edge Interview Questions and Evaluation Test

    Assessment for RE Data Entry

    Testing Job Applicant's Knowledge of RE?

    And there are probably more if you search for other terms (I used "applicant" just now).





     
  • Linda Moskus
    Linda Moskus ✭
    Tenth Anniversary First Reply
    We also use a 'batch entry' for testing.  We have the candidate enter a mock up batch.  This has worked out very well for us and seems to be a great indicator of attention to detail, appropriate questions, etc.  We've been very pleased with our decisions based partially on this type of testing.

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