Office clerks
posess strong computer, typing and word processing skills.
Office clerks perform basic office tasks. These tasks may change on a daily basis, but general office clerk responsibilities include data entry, sorting and answering emails, answering phones and operating office machinery. Clerks mostly perform these general tasks in smaller offices, while clerks working for larger companies perform more specialized tasks. Though mostly employed in small businesses, office clerks work in a variety of fields, such as education, government, medicine and law.
Industries That Employ Office Clerks
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), industries with the highest number of office clerks include local government; general medical and surgical hospitals; elementary and secondary schools; colleges, universities and professional schools; and employment services. Office clerks also work in law firms, department stores, insurance companies and other small businesses.
Education and Skills Requirements
A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum education requirement of an office clerk. According to the BLS, employers prefer that office clerk applicants have basic computer skills and knowledge of word processing, office machinery and business software. Employers may also require that applicants have previous office or customer service experience. However, office clerks can sometimes learn these skills and other general office tasks while on the job. Other qualifications include the ability to work independently or with a team, and strong writing and communication skills. Office clerks are also self-starters with a strong attention to detail and the ability to multitask.
Responsibilities and Tasks
Office clerks are responsible for using computers and computer software; communicating with supervisors and coworkers; processing and documenting information; organization and planning; and other administrative duties.
General office clerk tasks include filing; data entry; operating office machinery, such as fax machines, copy machines, scanners and printers; typing and word processing; delivering messages; sorting and answering emails; answering phone calls; greeting customers or clients; sorting and delivering mail; preparing outgoing mail; and creating or proofreading documents.
Specific responsibilities and tasks vary depending on the type of office a clerk works in or on a clerk's experience level. For example, a medical office clerk might organize prescriptions, while a law firm clerk might help prepare or proofread a legal brief. Less experienced office clerks mostly perform general office tasks, while more experienced clerks may work directly with customers or clients, or perform financial duties such as payroll, billing and maintaining financial records. Highly experienced office clerks may also oversee clerks in entry-level positions.
Advancement
Office clerks eligible for advancement display strong communication, writing, computer and analytical skills. Employers often promote clerks with these strengths to supervisory positions or specialized administrative positions, such as bookkeeper, secretary or administrative assistant. However, advancement may require a college degree.
Hours and Salary
Full-time office clerks typically work 40 hours per week. However, office clerk positions are commonly part-time or temporary.
An office clerk's salary depends on experience, the types and amount of responsibilities and the size and location of the employer. In May 2008, the median salary for office clerks was $25,320, according to the BLS.
Occupation Outlook
In the 2010-11 edition of its Occupational Outlook Handbook, the BLS states that office clerks held 3 million positions in 2008. Job openings for this occupation will remain high, due to employment growth and strong replacement needs. Employment is expected to increase by 12 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment opportunities will be greatest for office clerk candidates with communication, writing and basic computer skills, as well as knowledge of office machinery and office tasks.
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