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Office Clerks, General

In the Office Clerks, General occupation, workers perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific office clerical occupation, requiring knowledge of office systems and procedures. O*NET rates it as some preparation, which usually means a few months to a year of learning on the job. It leans on reading comprehension, active listening, and speaking. One core duty is to operate office machines, such as photocopiers and scanners, facsimile machines, voice mail systems, and personal computers. Interest ratings put Conventional on top at 6.8 out of 7 and Enterprising second, so the code is CES and the day leans toward orderly work with data, records and clear procedures. 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

Perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific office clerical occupation, requiring knowledge of office systems and procedures. Clerical duties may be assigned in accordance with the office procedures of individual establishments and may include a combination of answering telephones, bookkeeping, typing or word processing, office machine operation, and filing.

Main tasks

  • Operate office machines, such as photocopiers and scanners, facsimile machines, voice mail systems, and personal computers.
  • Answer telephones, direct calls, and take messages.
  • Communicate with customers, employees, and other individuals to answer questions, disseminate or explain information, take orders, and address complaints.
  • Maintain and update filing, inventory, mailing, and database systems, either manually or using a computer.
  • Compile, copy, sort, and file records of office activities, business transactions, and other activities.
  • Review files, records, and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests.

Skills

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Time Management
  • Social Perceptiveness

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 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

  • Administrative Clerk (Admin Clerk)
  • Clerical Aide
  • Clerical Assistant
  • Clerk
  • General Clerk

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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.