Jobs, Careers and Occupations

Clerks

Clerks Nature of Work

Clerks perform a range of administrative tasks in an organization. They prepare correspondence, reports, statements and other material, operate office equipment, answer telephones and perform clerical duties of a general nature according to established procedures. They are employed in offices throughout the public and private sectors.

Clerk Work Conditions

Clerks may be required to carry out numerous tasks in a small office, or to concentrate on just one or two specific tasks in a larger office.

Clerks usually work indoors and may work alone or in a team situation with other clerks, professional and technical staff and trades people. Experienced clerks may undertake more complex tasks and responsibilities.

Clerk Personal Requirements

• Able to work as part of a team
• Able to work methodically, accurately and neatly
• Good oral and written communication skills

Clerk Employment Requirements

• Completion of secondary school is usually required
• On-the-job training and short-term training courses or programs specific to the company business are usually required.

Clerk Duties and Tasks

Clerks may perform some or all of the following duties and tasks:

• Assist other staff in the organization with their enquiries
• File papers and documents so that they can be easily found when needed
• Operate a range of office machines such as photocopiers, computers and faxes
• Order office supplies, service office equipment and arrange for servicing in the case of major repairs
• Respond to telephone, in person or electronic enquiries or forward to appropriate person
• Sort and distribute incoming and outgoing mail, manually or electronically
• Undertake other duties such as banking, credit control or payroll functions
• Write business letters, reports or office memoranda using word-processing equipment

With experience and sometimes further study, advancement to higher positions, such as office administrator, record keeper, front line manager or legal administrator, is possible.

Clerk Example Titles

• Office Assistant
• Office Clerk
• Typist

Clerk Related Occupations

• Accounts Clerks
• Administrative Clerks
• Bank Clerks
• Data Entry Clerks
• Office Administrators
• Public Servants
• Receptionists
• Secretaries
• Word Processing Operators

Related Industries

All private and government industries.