Coding is basically data entry. You will be looking at
documents that someone else has scanned into the computer and
taking certain information from each document and entering it
in the provided database so that people looking for a certain
document can find it quickly. For example, a legal document
usually has special numbers that specify the first and last
page of documents, the date, the writer of the document, who it
is addressed to, what it is about, and additional helpful
information entered into the database. There are coders for
other fields, as well. Coding is not the same as medical coding
and billing, which is a very different field that deals with
insurance.
Would you make a good coder?
You will need to be patient enough to scan many documents that
can be quite dry for important bits of information. (Frankly,
I'd make a terrible coder. I was surprised at how difficult it
was for me to sit there and attempt this when I am used to
poring over census and vital record documents for hours in
search of one tiny piece of a genealogy puzzle.) You will also
need to be very accurate. Your work will be checked by a
quality control agent, who will make sure your coding is
correct. You will need to look at documents that sometimes are
blurry or hard to see, so you should have good eyesight.
Can I become a coder without experience?
It is certainly a lot harder. There are companies that hire new
coders, though. Try thinking creatively when you apply to these
companies. Sometimes you have some experience with something
else that will help you stand out from the mob of people
applying to the few companies that accept inexperienced coders.
Did you create or update any databases for previous jobs? For
instance, I created a job log and entered information about
each job from the billing files for an employer. I also once
volunteered to create a database of vital records using
newspapers from the early 1900's. If I was applying for a
coding position, I would highlight these jobs in my cover
letter.
What equipment do I need to code?
You will need a newer computer and high speed internet access.
Most coding companies provide any software you need.
Katelyn Thomas is the owner of Working In
Pj's, the work from home support site for Mid-Atlantic moms.
For more great work from home information, visit
http://workinginpjs.com - Need a writer for your site? Visit
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