Occupation Details
Office Clerks, General
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.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$30,870.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$39,400.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$50,270.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
181,740
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
197,610
+1,587 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
23,185
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.1%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Some Training - Certificate or hands-on training
Experience Requirements
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education Requirements
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- 10-key calculators
- Computer laser printers
- Computer terminals
- Data input scanners
- Desktop computers
- Dictation equipment
- Digital duplicating machines
- Electric typewriters
- Laptop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Letter folding machines
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Personal computers
- Photocopying equipment
- Postage machines
- Scanners
- Switchboards
- Typewriters
Technology
- 3M Post-it App
- ADP Workforce Now
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Alpha Software Alpha Five
- Appointment scheduling software
- Billing software
- Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
- Blackboard software
- Bookkeeping software
- Database software
- Dropbox
- Electronic Data Interchange EDI systems
- Evernote
- FileMaker Pro
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- sell products or services
- perform office equipment maintenance not requiring service call
- maintain job descriptions
- collate printed materials
- operate business machines
- operate calculating devices
- operate duplicating equipment
- distribute correspondence or mail
- carry messages or packages
- manage inventories or supplies
- disburse checks to satisfy accounts payable
- maintain record of organization expenses
- maintain inventory of office equipment or furniture
- maintain travel expense accounts
- receive or disburse cash related to payments received
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- resolve customer or public complaints
- provide customer service
- answer customer or public inquiries
- greet customers, guests, visitors, or passengers
- schedule employee work hours
- schedule meetings or appointments
- arrange teleconference calls
- develop travel itinerary
- prepare meeting agenda
- select software for clerical activities
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use library or online Internet research techniques
- use telephone communication techniques
- proofread printed or written material
- ensure correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling
- examine documents for completeness, accuracy, or conformance to standards
- index information resources
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- sort books, publications, or other items
- sort mail letters or packages
- write business correspondence
- answer calls using switchboard
- communicate with customers or employees to disseminate information
- compute financial data
- prepare bank deposits
- calculate monetary exchange
- compile data for financial reports
- process account invoices
- compile itinerary of planned meetings or activities
- classify information according to content or purpose
- measure, weigh, or count products or materials
- maintain account records
- transcribe spoken or written information
- take dictation
- take messages
- enter time sheet information
- maintain telephone logs
- type document from machine transcription
- maintain records, reports, or files
- fill out business or government forms
- route multi-line telephone calls
- type letters or correspondence
- fill out insurance forms
- complete patient insurance forms
- fill out purchase requisitions
- maintain appointment calendar
- prepare or maintain employee records
- maintain inventory of office forms
- maintain legal forms
- organize legal information or records
- process payroll documents, records, or checks
- prepare tax reports
- prepare travel vouchers
- process invoices
- process medical records
- date stamp messages, mail, or other information
- assist with business or managerial research
- obtain information from individuals
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- use relational database software
- use spreadsheet software
- use word processing or desktop publishing software
- use accounting or bookkeeping software
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- 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.
- Collect, count, and disburse money, do basic bookkeeping, and complete banking transactions.
- Complete and mail bills, contracts, policies, invoices, or checks.
- 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.
- Open, sort, and route incoming mail, answer correspondence, and prepare outgoing mail.
- Review files, records, and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests.
- Process and prepare documents, such as business or government forms and expense reports.
- Compute, record, and proofread data and other information, such as records or reports.
- Complete work schedules, manage calendars, and arrange appointments.
- Monitor and direct the work of lower-level clerks.
- Prepare meeting agendas, attend meetings, and record and transcribe minutes.
- Type, format, proofread, and edit correspondence and other documents, from notes or dictating machines, using computers or typewriters.
- Inventory and order materials, supplies, and services.
- Deliver messages and run errands.
- Train other staff members to perform work activities, such as using computer applications.
- Count, weigh, measure, or organize materials.
- Make travel arrangements for office personnel.
- Troubleshoot problems involving office equipment, such as computer hardware and software.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Administrative Support Specialists
Visit this link for information on this career in the military.
Learn MoreOffice clerks, general
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn More