General Office Clerical Services

<h2 id="section---AreGeneralOfficeClericalServicesForMe">Are General Office Clerical Services for Me?</h2> <h3 id="section---CareerOverview">Career Overview</h3> <p>General office clerks perform many of the important tasks that help offices function efficiently and effectively. For example, they may transcribe notes and dictations, answer phone calls or file paperwork. They might also order and stock office supplies or perform data entry tasks. </p> <p>If you're interested in a career in business, an entry-level clerical position can provide you with the experience you need to advance to a management or leadership position. Formal training can also be found through an associate's or bachelor's degree program in business, marketing, accounting or finance. </p> <h3 id="section---JobDuties">Job Duties</h3> <p>As a general office clerk, you could be responsible for sending or distributing mail, proofreading and editing, record keeping and scheduling. Some of the different types of office equipment you may use include copy machines, phones, printers and scanners. You might also work with various types of computer software and database systems. </p> <h3 id="section---CareerOptions">Career Options</h3> <p>As a clerical services professional, you may pursue a career as an <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Administrative_Assistant_Job_Duties_Career_Outlook_and_Educational_Requirements.html">administrative assistant</a>, clerk, <a href="https://learn.org/articles/How_Do_I_Become_a_Customer_Service_Representative.html">customer service representative</a> or <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Does_an_Office_Assistant_Do.html">office assistant</a>. You could also become an <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Office_Manager_Career_Summary_Employment_Outlook_and_Education_Requirements.html">office manager</a> or a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Secretary_Become_a_Professional_Secretary_in_5_Steps.html">secretary</a>. </p> <h3 id="section---EmploymentAndSalaryInformation">Employment and Salary Information</h3> <p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of general office clerks was projected to increase by just 6% from 2012-2022. In May 2013, general office clerks earned an average annual salary of $29,990, reported the BLS (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). </p> <h2 id="section---HowDoIWorkInGeneralOfficeClericalServices">How Do I Work In General Office Clerical Services?</h2> <h3 id="section---Education">Education</h3> <p>Most employers prefer general office clerks with a high school diploma or its equivalent. Postsecondary clerical programs, typically found at community colleges, usually start at the undergraduate certificate level. Some credits may be transferable to an <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Secretarial_Science_Associates_Degree.html">associate degree in secretarial science</a> or an <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Office_Administration_Associate's_Degree.html">associate degree in office administration</a>. </p> <p>In general, your course of study might include training in bookkeeping, computer technology, communications and data processing. Courses in keyboarding, math, record keeping and the use of workplace systems might also be part of your program. Along with campus-based studies, some schools offer <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Clerical_Courses_and_Training_Online_Program_FAQs.html">online clerical courses</a> or <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Online_Clerical_Certificates_and_Degrees_Answers_to_Your_Questions.html">online clerical programs</a>. </p> <h3 id="section---RequiredSkills">Required Skills</h3> <p>As a graduate of a clerical program, you should be able to coordinate and classify data, conduct inquiries and perform minor accounting procedures. Interpersonal, listening and speaking skills are key to working in an office environment; an understanding of common workplace technology is essential. The ability to think analytically and critically is also useful.</p>