Correspondence Clerks
People classed as Correspondence Clerks compose letters or electronic correspondence in reply to requests for merchandise, damage claims, credit and other information, delinquent accounts, incorrect billings, or unsatisfactory services. The skills rated most useful are writing, reading comprehension, and active listening. A regular part of the work is to maintain files and control records to show correspondence activities. On the six-type interest model it reads CES, meaning orderly work with data, records and clear procedures comes first, followed by leading, persuading and making business decisions. Getting in usually takes a few months to a year of learning on the job, a level O*NET calls some preparation. People who want orderly work with data, records and clear procedures usually fit better here than those who need hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world.
What they do
Compose letters or electronic correspondence in reply to requests for merchandise, damage claims, credit and other information, delinquent accounts, incorrect billings, or unsatisfactory services. Duties may include gathering data to formulate reply and preparing correspondence.
Main tasks
- Maintain files and control records to show correspondence activities.
- Read incoming correspondence to ascertain nature of writers' concerns and to determine disposition of correspondence.
- Gather records pertinent to specific problems, review them for completeness and accuracy, and attach records to correspondence as necessary.
- Prepare documents and correspondence, such as damage claims, credit and billing inquiries, invoices, and service complaints.
- Compile data from records to prepare periodic reports.
- Compose letters in reply to correspondence concerning such items as requests for merchandise, damage claims, credit information requests, delinquent accounts, incorrect billing, or unsatisfactory service.
Skills
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
Who this career fits
May suit you if
- You like clear rules and getting the details right.
- You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
- You are comfortable relying on writing and reading comprehension.
May not suit you if
- You get restless with routine, records and exact procedures.
- You want to work with your hands for most of the day. Realistic rates 1.3 out of 7 here.
- You want a career built on years of advanced study.
Interest profile
O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code CES takes the three highest, and Conventional comes first here.
Preparation
Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.
Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED). This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.
Also called
- Chargeback Specialist
- Claims Correspondence Clerk
- Correspondence Clerk
- Correspondence Coordinator
- Correspondence Representative (Correspondence Rep)
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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.