We all know that typing speed matters. Whether you’re applying for a job as a paralegal or an executive assistant, being able to type quickly and accurately might be the only skill that stands between you and another equally qualified applicant. Can you type 65+ words per minute? If you didn’t have the benefit of taking a typing course or two in school, that might not be the case. So, how do you get those skills up to par in a short period of time so that you can compete for these high paying positions? Here’s 5 shortcuts that will help you increase your typing speed in no time. We don’t guarantee overnight results but, if you follow these tips you’ll definitely get a leg up on the competition. Touch typing is 80% technique, 10% accuracy and 10% speed. People who are masters at touch typing will tell you that without proper hand position and typing technique, you’ll only be able to type so fast. Think about it, there is no way that the person using the hunt and peck method will ever be as fast as someone who uses proper technique on a QWERTY keyboard. Using the proper technique will make learning to type much easier and open a world of opportunities when it comes to increasing typing speed. When you first start learning to touch type, you’re going to make some errors. In fact you might make a lot of them. Your success really depends on how you view making those mistakes – do you see them as a failure or as an opportunity to improve? People who see their mistakes as an opportunity to improve generally learn faster than people who don’t. Your mindset plays a big part in how quickly you learn and how much information you are able to take in. Touch typing is all about muscle memory, which means that your muscles will need some time to adjust to the new techniques that you are learning. The best and quickest way to do this is through repetition. By doing the same exercise over and over you will be able to ingrain those movements into your muscle memory. If you are using an online typing tutor, set a high standard for yourself. Make a decision to master a technique 100% before moving on to the next lesson. This may seem more time consuming upfront but, if you do this the subsequent lessons will be easier since they are built upon the techniques taught in the previous lessons. Posture is one of the most overlooked factors when it comes to learning to type quickly. Poor posture not only takes a toll on your muscles, but can affect your energy levels and accuracy as well. Good posture while typing will keep up your energy levels and also allow your fingers to rest in the correct position. Keeping correct posture allows you to type faster, more accurately and will help prevent injury. The correct posture to have while typing is relaxed with feet squarely on the floor and wrists level with the keyboard. Another great trick to help you increase your typing speed in a short period of time is to avoid looking at the keyboard. Initially, this may result in more mistakes, but you will learn the positions of the keys at a much higher rate without using the keyboard as a crutch. Because it can be tempting to simply look down at the keyboard, try covering the keyboard and your hands with a piece of paper while you type. Or, if you really want to challenge your self, Das Keyboard Ultimate is a keyboard with blank keys that will literally force you to learn the keys via motor-skills. Practice, Practice, Practice… Finally, the best way to increase your typing speed is through good old practice. While practice isn’t necessarily a shortcut and requires dedicated effort, it really is the best way to see results. Even if you practice your typing skills for 30 minutes each day for a month, you will see an improvement that can make all the difference in helping you land your dream job.