Guidance.help

File Clerks

People classed as File Clerks file correspondence, cards, invoices, receipts, and other records in alphabetical or numerical order or according to the filing system used. The skills rated most useful are reading comprehension, active listening, and speaking. Expect to perform general office activities, such as typing, answering telephones, operating office machines, processing mail, or securing confidential materials. Interest ratings put Conventional on top at 7.0 out of 7 and Realistic second, so the code is CRS and the day leans toward orderly work with data, records and clear procedures. 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 creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

File correspondence, cards, invoices, receipts, and other records in alphabetical or numerical order or according to the filing system used. Locate and remove material from file when requested.

Main tasks

  • Perform general office activities, such as typing, answering telephones, operating office machines, processing mail, or securing confidential materials.
  • Keep records of materials filed or removed, using logbooks or computers and generate computerized reports.
  • Gather materials to be filed from departments or employees.
  • Find, retrieve, and make copies of information from files in response to requests and deliver information to authorized users.
  • Add new material to file records or create new records as necessary.
  • Sort or classify information according to guidelines, such as content, purpose, user criteria, or chronological, alphabetical, or numerical order.

Skills

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Service Orientation
  • Monitoring

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 reading comprehension and active listening.

May not suit you if

  • You get restless with routine, records and exact procedures.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.0 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 CRS 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: Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree. 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

  • Claims Clerk
  • Clerk
  • Clerk Typist
  • Documentation Specialist
  • File Clerk

Related careers

Is this your direction?

See how your interests line up with CRS and 906 other careers.

Take the career test

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.