Touch-typing: An overlooked job skill

In today’s modern economy it might sound a little old fashioned to think of typing speed as an in-demand skill for job applicants.  Although technology has rendered the rooms of typists cranking out documents manually obsolete, the methods businesses use today rely more than ever on this staple skill.

According to a study from the University of Iowa, individuals that can type fast are more likely to emerge as the leader of virtual teams that could be scattered around different offices.

As the economy becomes more and more global and location-independent, these virtual teams are becoming more important in many businesses that prioritize efficiency.  While these groups can operate via video conferencing, text-based methods like instant messaging, email and collaborative project boards are still the foundation of the work.

The ability to communicate a significant amount of information within a shorter period of time increased the perceived effectiveness of that person among their peers and allowed their ideas to be more prominent.