i have this oprtunity for a job- customer service at a bank. I do not like the job particulary but it is a big financial, credit building opportunity for me at this moment-I wanna go back to school and I need to pay those classes....

the problem is-
I go thru a staffing agency . they have 2 tests- a customer service one-I passed with no problems and a typing test. the typing test is alphanumeric. I failed. Twice. but because I did so good at the first test they sent me home to practice for 2 days and taking again.

BUT:

-I do not type blind-without looking at the keyboad.
I am trying to learn thru this speedy skills building program but it takes me forever.
-They want me to do at least 4700kph.I do like 3800-4000 at my best in an alphanumeric test.

any trcks to pass the darn test. anyone ?please....

Practice, Practice, Practice. If you dont already have one, get a typing program for your computer and the more you do it the better you will get. I know you have probably heard it a thousand times but looking at the keys really does slow you down. I know that it can be frustrating, I remember doing the tests in school and I would get soo mad.

Below is a link that I have used just to see what my speed is up to (typing is part of my job). I dont know anyone who has actually bought their program but the test is free. :)

http://www.typingpal.com/test/

Keep practicing-you sound determined and really want this job. Those are great motivators. Update us on your speed improvements.

Does the job require alphanumeric typing all day long? or is it just part of the job?

If not, what are the other duties.

Are there other jobs with this company that you are interested in that require a lower speed.

Keeping our fingers crossed for you. Go for it. I am just curious since I am a terrible typist and could not get any kind of typing job.

RADD

Hi,

no the job does not require alphanumeric typing at all...This is why I can't get the purpose of the test....
It requires for me to type fast my comments after each call. That does mean I can type and look at the keyboard same time.It is so different from alphanumeric typing....it is a customer service job and I thought the customer service skills are the ones that matter. -actually at my last place I had co-workers typing with two fingers and still making the expected call time....

Yes, I am trying to practice but:
I am getting interrupted all the time-2 small kids at home and a husband that just does not ge it....So I only finished one lesson out of fifteen from the program I was reccomended...

The test is tomorow so I really need some tricks to pass it.

I think if I do not correct myself when I miss capital letters I'll do better....

I wrote some thoughts below for people like me, because so many people read these posts and have LD and other problems.



http://cellar.org/images/newersmilies/rant.gif I am a poor typist despite all my attempts to improve. I can't pass a 35wpm test. . Here are some thoughts for others who struggle to type. Thought this was a good opportunity to address this since it could be a disability/workplace issue.



Sometimes you have to type well to get the job, but the job does not require typing all the time and you could do the job very well. Other jobs are high demand for output. My question is....Should there be an ADA accommodation? No and Yes-or at least quite possibly.



No, not if the job is data processing at a certain speed or accuracy and meeting business quotas. This what I call a cyberfactory/sweatshop.



If someone is doing alphanumeric as one of several job duties, could there be an accommodation? Yes, Possibly if it is just a portion of the job, and you do other things faster than others???? Could a person be given a probationary time to show that they can indeed do the job? Or, if they really like your other abilities, are there any other positions you qualify for. It would take some real diplomacy and self-advocacy to get any business to bend a rule like this, but worth a try. You would have to get it diagnosed as a disability-probably related to dyslexia or information processing.



Just my thoughts-job example-admissions clerk at hospital. You type as they talk. Why 35 wpm. I have a masters and could not get this job. Is it truly a skill? Maybe. My mom wanted me to have these skills to "fall back on."



Look into the disabilty possibility. If you don't do the alpha numeric thing at their speed, will it impair you ability to do the job? Certainly you are strong in other areas that would balance this out. Hey, they can't measure motivation and determination.
http://cellar.org/images/smilies/68711_thanx.gif

RADDmom

thanks for your kind comments.

To be honest with you I think that if I bring the disability into discussion I loose any chance to get the job...
I mean -
I have 2 small children at home-that makes many employers to think I am not reliable
I am an immigrant-legal.Some employers do not like that -not because they are racist or anything-but because it is so much harder to get refferences from your past jobs. And I omly worked fo a little while in US-before my daughter was born.

Now if I bring the disabillity issue too.... I mean it is a customer service job, they will find somebody with less issues for it, I'm sure...

Anamari-you, unfortunately, are right on target.

I will keep my fingers crossed for you, sounds like you really want the job.