How to improve computer skills

Improving your computer and IT skills

Improving your computer skills can help you keep in touch with friends and family, get on at work or help with further learning. Choose from a range of courses, from free online taster sessions to courses leading to qualifications.

Improve your computer skills

Developing computer or information technology (IT) skills can help you access a range of resources and services, such as online banking or shopping. If you want to progress to further learning, getting to grips with computers and the internet can help you save time and give you access to lots of free online resources for your coursework and research.

Find a course to boost your computer skills

There are computing courses at all levels, for beginners and beyond. Many courses are flexible, so you can learn when you want and at your own pace. Courses are often called IT or ICT (Information and Communications Technology). You can also do specific courses on topics such as using the internet or email, and learn to touch-type.

Advice on courses to improve your computer skills

There’s plenty of help and advice available to help you find a computer course that suits you.

For free and impartial guidance over the phone, contact a local Careers Adviser

Qualifications in computing and IT

Essential Skills ICT

Essential Skills ICT will help you develop practical ICT skills to use in the area you are currently employed or wish to gain employment in and for your own personal needs. Qualifications can be achieved at Level 1 and Level 2. Achievement at Level 2 is comparable to GCSE standard. The topics studied include:

The tutor will help you choose the right level of study. Essential Skills ICT classes are free. To find available courses visit:

How to Improve Your Computer Skills to Get Ahead in Your Career

Tripti works in a mobile app development agency and shares about work and productivity tips related to technology. Read full profile

Technology has taken the business world by storm. People and businesses are progressively reliant on technology world these days. As a result, the people with impressive knowledge and experience with a computer are in demand.

Considering this growing market trend, if you too wish to bag a profitable job, this article is apt for you. Here, we will dig deeper into the business and technology world to look into what are the best computer skills one should invest in and what resources to get help from.

So, are you ready? Here we begin.

Table of Contents

6 Most-In Demand Computer Skills This Year (and Beyond)

When talking about computer skills, following are the 6 computer skills that can fill your mailbox with endless job opportunities (besides, having an English and Hindi typing speed of 40+ WPM):-

1. Spreadsheets and Databases

To get hired based on this computer skill, you need to become a Spreadsheet ninja. From storing data to organizing them, applying complex mathematics formulas, and creating complex macros, you need to be an expert at all.

In other words, you need to have an expertise at working with:

2. Social Media, Email, and Blogging

Though people are socially active, not everyone knows how to use the social media tools on the professional front. In such a scenario, having an expertise at writing engaging yet professional emails, writing blogs, and managing social media activities is a ticket to entry in reputed organizations.

Some of the skills related to social media, email and blogging that will have a leg up in the hiring process are:

3. Graphic Design and Word Processing

A solid grasp of skills to present the gained information in the much readable form is another market need. When considering this computer skill category, you need to enhance your skills at:

4. Software and Hardware Design and Development

The Software and Hardware development, in simpler language, means designing, implementing, and testing the computer software/hardware applications. It is the most profitable computer skill, with a different job opening, including Software Architect, Software Analyst, Software programmer, Hardware configuration, etc.

To be capable of developing and testing the software and hardware, you need to peruse your users’ needs and build an application that hits their pain points. You need to work with different web and mobile app coding languages for gaining the attention of your audience, some of which are:

5. IT Troubleshooting

Working on computers is one thing and having a knack of looking into the associated issues and resolving them in real-time is another. There are various employees and graduates who work with computer systems in their daily lives, but get confused when it comes to dealing with frozen programs and performing routine maintenance.

So, if you are familiar with the basic anatomy of computers and machines and know the tricks to perform such tasks to streamline the working process, enter the IT support arena. The prime IT troubleshooting skills one needs to work upon are:

6. Enterprise Systems

Many Enterprises have their own enterprise solutions like PeopleSoft for managing their data and operations.

Becoming a master at using the enterprise solutions mentioned in their ‘Requirements’ area can also lessen the barrier to get a job.

The Roadmap to Excel Your Computer Skills

Now that you know the 6 most popular computer skills in the market, the first decision, you need to take is which computer skill you want to work upon. All the skills are equally considerable for making a career ahead. So, choose one as per your interest.

Once done, look forward to the following resources for boosting your computer skills and getting a reputed, handsome job.

Depending on the computer skill you opt, here are the online courses you can turn to for elevating your career opportunities:

1. Become a Spreadsheet and Database Ninja

Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or expert at working with spreadsheets, this online course has something new for everyone to become excel efficient users.

Divided into 48 interesting lessons, the course empowers you to learn the technique of using mathematical, statistical, logical and text functions, sorting and filtering the data, creating Pivot Tables, building macros, finding a value with VLOOKUp, and much more.

This is another impressive course to unlock the power of Excel. Designed for people from all walks of life and familiarity with Excel tools. This course helps you gain in-depth knowledge from the experts about this data-analyzing tool and make the magic in spreadsheet creation and management process.

Build a successful career in the data analytics world with this online course.

Revolving around the two top databases, MS SQL and PostgreSQL, this course will give you a comprehensive knowledge of the working of the databases and understanding of all the related elements, including how to create, update, organize, and safeguard the data.

2. Rule the Social Media World

Introduced by the top experienced inbound professors from Hubspot, here you will get a comprehensive knowledge of Social media marketing.

From understanding how to build relationships on different social media platforms to creating a perfect strategy to engage them, leveraging the benefits of social advertising, and analyzing your social media ROI, this course will bring out the best out of you.

This online course will be the right weapon to look into the differences and similarities between different email styles, improve your English writing skills, write effective subject lines, maintain the formality tone in emails, and more to make a powerful impact on the receivers with your email.

Founded by Udemy, this online course will excel your skills to build a masterpiece everytime you write.

Here, you will get the guidance from the editors of the top newspapers and websites, and understand what kind of words and tone to use for leaving a spellbinding impact on the readers.

3. Launch Your Own Software or Hardware Equipment

From Big Data to IoT, Sensor Circuit Design, Embedded Software and Hardware Architecture, and Motor Control Circuit, this course will give you a glimpse of all the hardware devices, equipment, and programming languages to build wonders.

Become the software developer market demands with Alison’s Java, C#, Python, R, PHP, or MySQL database course. From backend to frontend development and software testing.

The course helps you to learn how to design, develop and test software and working in a team while contributing to the team success.

The Class Central online course will make you a master of software development. Here, you will learn the basic concepts of development like Agile, Design Patterns, and Version Control with Git, along with gaining experience of working with the top programming languages.

4. Live and Breathe Creativity

It is a top-rated program for the new learners and designers to explore the Graphic Design world.

From the history of communication to the design principles, the course will help the students to learn everything specifically and implement in the real world.

From a beginner to advanced level, this course will provide you with an elaborated and comprehensive knowledge of graphic design. In the form of 4 modules, this course will help the interested graphic designers to try out their skills at Graphics, ranging from fonts to colors, backgrounds, images, shapes, and layouts.

62 personalized lessons, premium video tutorials, and unlimited tests and quizzes – this certified course has everything that will make your entry to the business world easier.

The course will make you productive in Word, Excel, and Access through video lectures, articles, and various other supplemental resources.

Besides, it will offer you exclusive tips and tricks to enhance your skills at using Microsoft office.

5. Raise Your Reflexes to IT Troubleshooting

IT Troubleshooting Skill Training will upgrade your logical concepts over technical components to find and repair faults.

It will provide you with a methodological approach to learn the basics of troubleshooting, practice them via exercises and drills, and enhance your IT troubleshooting intelligence.

The Lynda’s IT troubleshooting online course will train you how to respond to the issues related to Windows 10, Office 365, JIRA software, and more, from a local as well as a remote location.

Mobile Apps and Websites to Enhance Computer Skills

The aforementioned online courses will undoubtedly train you for a successful career ahead. But, in case you want a long-term support, turn towards the following websites and mobile apps:

Bonus: Tips to Accelerate Your Approach For a Better Career Ahead

Though these resources will make you stand out from the crowd and get hired at once, you need to focus on various other things, such as:

1. Practice, Practice, Practice

It is common to forget what we learn. To ensure that you do not miss any opportunity just because you forgot, keep practising.

Make it your routine. Polish your computer skills and you will surely end up getting an offer letter from a recognized firm.

2. Work on Your Efficiency

Remembering what you learned is not enough; practice to enhance those skills to do better.

For example, if you take around 50 minutes to create a design, target for 40 minutes.

3. Look for Shortcuts

Smart work rules over hard work more often. So, look forward to learning shortcuts to do any task. This will increase your chances to crack an interview and get selected.

4. Apply for an Internship

Last but not the least, apply for an internship to see what’s trending in the market and how much you are ready for it. While doing an internship, pay attention to your weak points and work on them. This will ensure a success when you apply for your dream job.

By the late, it’s never too late to be an intern or grab whatever opportunity to learn something new! Here’s how:

The Bottom Line

Seeing the current market scenario, it is evident that having computer skills is a boon for a better career ahead.

So, rather than struggling with thousands of other things and trying to crack interviews, focus on the computer skills mentioned in this article. Utilize the resources and experts’ tips shared and look forward to having a successful and prosperous future.

5 Free and Easy Ways to Improve Your Computer Skills

Do you have the computer skills you need to succeed at work? If not, there are free resources you can use to upgrade your skills and boost your career. With technology becoming more and more prevalent in the workplace, it’s more important than ever to have basic computer hardware and software skills. There are some basic computer skills every worker needs to have.

An employer will be looking for computer skills on your resume, and that means you need to be able to know how to use a computer when you’re on the job.

Here are 5 free and easy way to improve your computer skills.

Short on time? Jump down to see some free courses, so you can start learning for free today!

1. Identify what you need to learn.

Most likely, you only have so much free time that you can dedicate to learning a new skill. Accordingly, it’s important to use that time wisely. Whether you’re looking to pivot your career or level up within your current field, analyzing the job description of your ideal position is a great way to identify what skills employers are looking for, as well as the tools you should know how to use.

Tip: The “Requirements” section of a job description is generally a good place to find this information.

Networking is another great way to discover what technical skills other people in your field have, or what software and apps they use on a day-to-day basis. This can be accomplished with a simple question, such as “Have you learned any new skills lately that have helped you in your job?,” or “What’s your favorite software or app that use regularly for work?”

In addition, you can also find much of this information online. If you are a customer service representative, for example, you might search for “customer service software.” Keep an eye out for the specific products that appear in your results. Capterra, a software review company, is another helpful resource for identifying common tools in your trade.

Not sure where to start? The specific skills you need are highly dependent on your position and your field, but you can familiarize yourself with this list of top computer skills to start out. Also review some of the best skills to include on your resume.

2. Start with the basics—and ensure you know how to use a computer.

While this goes without saying, before you learn any specialized technical skills, at the very least you need a fundamental understanding of how to use a computer—ideally, both a Windows or Mac. There are many free resources online. Sites like Lifewire, for example, are very helpful in providing comprehensive tutorials.

These days, it’s pretty common to find free (or affordable) computer training events. Check with your local library, community center or community college to see what they have to offer. In addition, you can take free Mac courses at an Apple store near you.

If you’re working in an office role, consider getting certified in Microsoft Office to improve your skills and add value to your resume.

3. Familiarize yourself with an understanding of how computers (and the Internet) work.

While this goes without saying, before you learn any specialized technical skills, at the very least you need a fundamental understanding of what a computer it is and how it works. In some cases, it can be helpful to learn how the Internet works, too.

Now, do you need master computer science? Absolutely not. But, having an elementary understanding of how the technology that you use functions provides a strong foundation for future learning. Here is a list of some free online computer skills lessons that you can start with:

4. Take a free online or-in person computer course.

There are many free resources available, both offline and online. Be sure to check out offerings in your community, such as at your local library, community center, community college or YMCA. You can also search on sites like Meetup or Eventbrite for educational events or groups. If you live in Los Angeles, New York City or Chicago, CourseHorse is another excellent resource.

If you’d rather learn tech skills for free online, there are plenty of ways to do so! You should be able to search on YouTube for pretty much anything you want to know. If you’re looking for a more formal learning experience, you can find tons of free college-level courses online on sites like Coursera, EdX and Class-Central. You can also find free, introductory courses on sites like Khan Academy, Codecademy, and Free Code Camp.

Tip: Here’s an extensive list of free and low-cost online computer classes you can take to get started.

5. Apply the knowledge and get hands-on practice.

If a job description requests familiarity with a specific tool, try to see if there’s way to get hands-on experience. For example, say a position requires that you know how to use Trello, a project management tool. You could consider ways you might be able to integrate Trello in your current position. If this is not possible, perhaps there’s a case where you could use it in your personal life—like for planning a trip.

Get as creative as possible. Need to learn how to use Google Calendar? Start using it to plan and schedule your families’ appointments and activities. Need to know how to use Skype? Create an account and use it to make a video call with someone you haven’t talked to in awhile.

Alternately, if you are learning a skill like graphic design, web design or development, there are many ways to practice: you can enter contests on 99Designs, or solicit gigs on Fiverr, for example.

If you need to be familiar with a paid tool or software then you cannot gain access to, look to see if that app offers a demo or has any training videos on its website. At the very least, you’ll have a chance to garner a basic familiarity with the structure and functionality of the software

Remember, you should always be honest with an employer about your skills and abilities. Don’t oversell your skills. If you’re lacking a skill that is listed in the job description, you can always mention that it is something you are currently learning (or intend to learn), and emphasize your ability to pick up new skills quickly.

Bonus tip: Does your company offer an education stipend?

Be sure to check if your company offers any stipends for their employees’ professional development. There are a lot of high-quality online learning programs available for relatively low costs – LinkedIn Learning, for example, is a great option.

Basic Computer Skills Definitions and Effective Internet Use

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– Basic Computer Skills –

Learn the following basic technical skills and add them to your resume to better organise your work and stay up-to-date in the job market.

This article covers the basic computer skills you need to have when applying for a job or basically anywhere you find yourself. Read down for more information.

This basic computer skills course will provide you with an understanding of the most popular, current technologies used at home and in the workplace.

Subsequently, you will become computer literate in this hands-on course while you learn to access, create, save and manage documents, spreadsheets, and emails and use the Internet effectively.

What Are Basic Computer Skills?

Basic computer skills courses cover the most common usages of a computer, including a majority or all of:

1. Understanding the basic notions of computer manipulation managing computer files, word processing, using spreadsheets and databases; creating presentations;

2. Finding information and communicating using computers, and being aware of social and ethical implications of Internet use.

As we swiftly move towards paperless workspaces, every function requires at least some level of interaction with computers.

However, after putting some effort into getting acquainted with the applications, you will start experiencing much more efficient workdays.

Examples of Computer Skills

Many jobs require fundamental computer skills to perform well for that job.

Similarly, basic computer skills include knowing how to type, understanding social media, and having general web skills. There are several more to consider, such as.

1. Productivity software

2. Operating systems

3. Presentation software

4. Digital marketing

5. Computer programming

6. Graphic design

7. Communication tools

8. Database management

9. Accounting software

RELATED READ:

Productivity Software

These are software that helps create information in various formats, such as documents, graphs, worksheets, and presentations.

However, with the help of productivity tools and software, an employee’s job is easier. Here are several types of productivity software:

1. Word processing software

2. Spreadsheet software

3. Presentation software

4. Email management

6. Digital calendars

7. Video conferencing

8. Social media management

Computer Programming

Computer programming involves the creation, design, and building of computer software and applications to perform a wide variety of tasks.

Furthermore, to test and develop software, you will need basic computer programming knowledge. This involves understanding software and hardware as well. Here are some basic computer programming skills:

RELATED READ:

Operating Systems

Operating systems are programs that help a computer run its most basic functions. This is an important skill to know since computers need an operating system to work.

Typically, computers come with pre-installed operating systems. Because of this, it’s important to have a general knowledge of a variety of operating systems, such as Windows.

It can be helpful to use your resume and cover letter to list how particular operating systems allowed you to perform your job.

Communication Tools

It’s important for companies to have continuous communication and collaboration with one another.

Having a streamlined system in place will help ease communication, increase productivity and make the company more efficient overall.

Therefore, it’s highly beneficial to have knowledge of a variety of computer communication tools. Computer communication skills you can list on your resume include:

1. Instant messaging

2. Video conferencing

Database Management

A database is an electronic collection of data that is accessed on a computer. Databases store a variety of information, such as payroll accounts. To successfully manage data, you’ll need a variety of skills, such as:

3. Data analytics

Working with Programs

1. Running multiple programs

2. Desktop icons and creating a desktop shortcut

3. Managing programs from the taskbar

4. Closing programs

File Management

1. Managing Windows Explorer

2. Creating, moving, renaming, and deleting folders and files

3. Understanding file extensions

4. Viewing storage devices and network connections

5. Managing USB flash drives

Word Processing

1. Creating documents in Microsoft Word

2. Typing text, numbers, and dates into a document

3. Easy formatting

4. Checking the spelling in your document

5. Making and saving changes to your document

Graphic Design

Graphic design is creating visual content through typography, illustration, and photography to convey a particular message.

Below are some of the graphic design illustrations you can add to your computer skills.

3. Design software

4. Desktop publishing

5. Video creation software

Presentation Software

Presentation software refers to programs used to create slideshows made up of audio, text, photos, and videos. Having general knowledge of presentation software is important for a variety of roles.

However, depending on your job, you may need to create a presentation to show data analysis or make a pitch.

To do so, you will need to understand the various presentation software and how to use it to create a dynamic presentation.

How To Improve Basic Computer Skills

Here are a few ways to improve your basic computer skills:

1. Take classes: One great way to improve your basic computer skills is to take classes in the area you wish to improve.

For example, if you want to understand digital marketing better, consider taking an online class on the subject.

2. Understand how computers work. Before you improve your skills, it’s important to understand how computers work.

Furthermore, learning the fundamentals of computers can give you the foundational knowledge to build upon. You can also consider taking a class in this area.

3. Get practical experience. To improve your computer skills, it’s important to apply what you know.

However, if you are interviewing for a job where you will need to use a specific email management system, take the time to learn how to use it beforehand.

Showcase Your Skills in Your Job Applications

When you’re working on your resume and cover letters, take the time to mention the skills you have that are listed in the job posting.

Show the employer that you have the skills the company needs. Here’s how to match your qualifications to a job description.

Learning is a lifelong process. And in the current age, tech-oriented learning is extremely important for everyone. The more updated you keep your skills, however, the higher will be the chances of landing your dream job.

FAQs about Basic Computer Skills

Below are the frequently asked questions about basic computer skills.

1. What are the five basic computer skills?

5 Computer Skills Everyone Should Master

1. Keyboard shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts have been specifically put in place to enhance the overall computer usage experience. …

2. Internet basics. …

3. Computer security best practices. …

4. Sending and receiving emails. …

2. What are the four computer skill?

These tasks are all related to the four basic computer operations: input, output, processing and storage

3. How do I teach myself computer?

Try these tips to get started:

Find out how much they know. …

Ask them about their goals. …

Talk through the hardware. …

Introduce new vocabulary terms. …

Ensure a safe workstation. …

Adjust the display and audio settings. …

Encourage practice with the mouse or touchpad. …

Go over the keyboard.

4. Why is basic computer skills important?

Computer literacy is considered a very important skill to possess. Employers want their workers to have basic computer skills because their company becomes ever more dependent on computers.

However, many employers try to use computers to help run their company faster and cheaper.

5. What are the 3 main things a computer does?

At a fundamental level, computers operate through these four functions: input, output, processing, and storage.

Input: the transfer of information into the system (e.g., through a keyboard). Output: the presentation of information to the user (e.g., on a screen).

More FAQs about Computer Skills

6. How can I learn basic computer skills for free?

Here is a list of some free online computer skills lessons that you can start with:

Computer Basics for Absolute Beginners – from GCF Learn Free (Free)

Internet Basics for Absolute Beginners – from GCF Learn Free (Free)

Computer Science 101 – from Stanford University (Free)

7. What is a basic computer skills test?

The Computer Skills Placement Test (CSP) is designed to assess the computer literacy skills that. you need to be successful in your college career.

However, it comprises 60 questions over six. Areas (10 questions per area): Basic Concepts.

8. What are computer skills called?

Computer skills can be categorised into two groups: software skills and hardware skills. Software skills involve using computer programs like Microsoft Office.

whereas hardware skills relate to building and fixing a computer and its various parts.

9. How long does it take to learn basic computer skills?

Most coders agree that it takes three to six months to be comfortable with the basics of coding. But you can learn coding faster or slower depending on your preferred pace. Let’s get into the specific skills you’ll need to learn.

Was this helpful? If yes, share with friends and loved ones who might be interested in upgrading their computer skills for that resume.

CSN Team.

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7 Ways to Improve your Computer Skills

Does technology ever make you feel a bit helpless? Do you wish you understood more about your computer but struggle knowing where to start?

If so, this article is for you. I’m going to tell you exactly how to improve your computer skills.

What Qualifies ME to Advise on This?

I’ve been helping people with tech professionally since 1998. In that time I’ve assisted thousands of individuals with their technical problems.

Over time, you start to recognise patterns and trends. Most of all, you notice the things that people often don’t do that would make their lives much easier.

With all that in mind, the points on this page are all rather straightforward. But if you follow them all, you will make your digital life immeasurably better. Do you want your computer to be a partner, rather than an adversary? If so, read on!

1. Investigate the Things that Slow you Down

Is there something on your PC that keeps slowing you down? Something where you keep thinking, “I must fix that / learn about that one day.”

Do it today!

Software problems are usually fixable; Convoluted procedures can usually be streamlined or made quicker by learning a keyboard shortcut or an alternative method. And the answers are almost always just a Google search away.

Computers are a bit like cars – you get used to certain rattles and quirks. But the chances are that you don’t actually have to.

Spend a little time working out the things that keep causing you to stall. Do some Google searching, read some “how-tos” and watch some YouTube videos. The reduced frustration and extra time you will gain is like an upgrade.

2. Learn the Products you Use

There’s an acronym that’s widely used in the tech community known as “RTFM.” If you don’t know what it means, you can look it up. It’s a bit rude.

It’s wise to properly learn the products you use. There are statistics out there relating to the tiny proportion of the functionality people typically use in software like Microsoft Word. As such, it doesn’t take much learning to elevate yourself to “power user” status.

Learning products has also become way easier than it used to be. There are millions of tutorial videos out there, and well as courses, guides and blog posts, and they’re almost always free.

The “onboarding” effort companies make when you buy new software nowadays has really levelled up too, with lots of tutorials and help available. If you’re paying for something, it makes sense to ensure you make the most of it.

So find out what all the buttons do.

3. Don’t expect an Old Computer to Behave Like a New One

As I’ve mentioned in my article about working as an IT consultant, IT support can be very draining work.

One particularly frustrating conversation I must have had a thousand times relates to how much life you can expect to get out of a computer.

Yes, I know, there are people out there who have happily used the same computer for a decade. Fair play if that applies to you.

But I personally see a business computer as having a realistic live-span of three years – or five if you’re lucky.

There are so many reasons for this, among them:

I know people will probably be keen to debate me on this, but my position is clear! That out-of-date, out-of-warranty laptop will serve you well – until the day it doesn’t.

If that happens to be the day of a really important client deadline, don’t expect any interest from the manufacturer, or much sympathy from your local computer person.

4. Have a Backup Plan

This leads on rather nicely from the point above! You need a backup plan.

Obviously I refer (partly) here to taking regular backups. I personally like to have both a local backup on an external device, and my crucial data “in the cloud” somewhere.

But having a backup plan goes beyond this. Professional businesses have plans for disaster recovery and business continuity. Even if you’re an individual work from home freelancer, it’s a good idea to have one yourself.

Personally, I have a spare Macbook sitting in my home office. It’s several years old, but could still seem to some like quite an extravagant thing to have just sitting there.

But I’ll tell you why it’s there. Between my wife and I there have been three occasions over the last ten years where a laptop has died with deadlines fast approaching. Unless you have “on site” response, which not all companies offer, a hardware failure means sending a machine in for repair.

On every occasion, this has meant literally rushing out the door to buy something to get the work done.

Once you’ve done that a few times, you soon realise that having an adequately-specified spare in a drawer isn’t actually that much of a luxury.

5. Keep Trying New Software to Improve your Computer Skills

There’s so much great software out there and lots of it can really speed up your work and make you better at what you do.

Yet it’s easy to get stuck in a rut using the same apps – day in and day out.

Try to mix it up a bit to improve your computer skills. You could start with my own round-up of the best apps for freelancers. Just choose something you think could help you and spend 20 minutes giving it a go.

With almost all software available with some form of tree trial these days, the greatest risk is wasting a little time before uninstalling. But it’s more likely you’ll find something that could streamline your processes and make your life easier.

6. Organise your Files and Emails

What does your Windows or Mac desktop look like?

Don’t feel guilty if it’s covered in random files. Many people “organise” their digital lives like that. But it’s easy to do it better.

With paper files, you don’t just scatter all of them over the top of a single desk. That would be chaos, and it’s why filing cabinets exist! Yet many people don’t apply the same thinking to their electronic files.

You don’t need a hugely sophisticated folder and subfolder tree. In truth, since the in-built search facilities in both MacOS and Windows have become more refined and effective, I’ve personally become more inclined to just have one folder per client or project.

The important thing is that you have a good degree of organisation. If you often find yourself wasting time remembering where you put something, then you don’t have that degree of organisation. It’s as simple as that!

7. Use a Text Expander

Most of us have to type the same things over and over. This can mean anything from “Best Regards” to long paragraphs of information that we send to multiple people.

If you frequently type the same thing, it’s well worth making a tiny investment in some software like TextExpander. This will allow you to set up “snippets” of text that you can trigger with just a small string. For example “br” for “Best Regards.”

I cannot overstate how much time this can save.

Say, for example, you often apply for freelance gigs. Although you (hopefully!) tailor every application to the specific job, there will still be sections of text you likely use again and again in your proposal emails.

You can save a vast amount of time if all of these sections only require you to press a few keys.

Have a good think about the text you type regularly. Some software that saves you ever having to do it could be a fabulous investment.

As you can see, it doesn’t really take that much to improve your computer skills. Just a few simple changes, along with the willingness to try new things out, can soon see you mastering your laptop like a pro.