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Career Details
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Career Details

43-9061.00 - 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.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
1
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
3,062,500
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
3,158,200
Estimate
Change in Employment
+95,800
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+3.1%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Communicate with customers, employees, and other individuals to answer questions, disseminate or explain information, take orders, and address complaints.
  • Answer telephones, direct calls, and take messages.
  • Compile, copy, sort, and file records of office activities, business transactions, and other activities.
  • Operate office machines, such as photocopiers and scanners, facsimile machines, voice mail systems, and personal computers.
  • Compute, record, and proofread data and other information, such as records or reports.
  • Maintain and update filing, inventory, mailing, and database systems, either manually or using a computer.
  • 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.
  • Deliver messages and run errands.
  • Inventory and order materials, supplies, and services.
  • Complete work schedules, manage calendars, and arrange appointments.
  • Type, format, proofread, and edit correspondence and other documents, from notes or dictating machines, using computers or typewriters.
Supplemental
  • Collect, count, and disburse money, do basic bookkeeping, and complete banking transactions.
  • Complete and mail bills, contracts, policies, invoices, or checks.
  • Process and prepare documents, such as business or government forms and expense reports.
  • Monitor and direct the work of lower-level clerks.
  • Count, weigh, measure, or organize materials.
  • Train other staff members to perform work activities, such as using computer applications.
  • Prepare meeting agendas, attend meetings, and record and transcribe minutes.
  • Troubleshoot problems involving office equipment, such as computer hardware and software.
  • Make travel arrangements for office personnel.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Clerical
  • 84%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 English Language
  • 76%
    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
  • 69%
    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
  • 60%
    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
  • 58%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Mathematics
  • 54%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Computer printers
  • Computer laser printers
 Computers
  • Computer terminals
  • Desktop computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Personal computers
 Computer data input devices
  • Data input scanners
  • Scanners
 Typing machines and accessories
  • Dictation equipment
  • Electric typewriters
  • Typewriters
 Duplicating machines
  • Digital duplicating machines
  • Laser facsimile machines
  • Photocopiers
  • Photocopying equipment
 Mail machines
  • Letter folding machines
  • Postage machines
 Personal communication devices
  • Multi-line telephone systems
 Call management systems or accessories
  • Switchboards
  • Voice mail systems
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Content authoring and editing software
  • 3M Post-it App
  • Adobe Systems Adobe InDesignHOT
  • Appointment scheduling software
  • Evernote
  • FacebookHOT
  • Google DocsHOT
  • Google Sites
  • LinkedInHOT
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • SmugMug FlickrHOT
  • Social media sitesHOT
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Word processing software
 Content management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AcrobatHOT
  • Dropbox
  • Filing system software
  • Records management software
  • Transcription system software
 Business function specific software
  • ADP Workforce NowHOT
  • Google DriveHOT
  • Mavenlink
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
  • Microsoft ProjectHOT
  • Microsoft SharePointHOT
 Data management and query software
  • Alpha Software Alpha Five
  • Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
  • Blackboard software
  • Data entry softwareHOT
  • FileMaker Pro
  • IBM Check Processing Control System CPSC
  • LexisNexis
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • Microsoft DynamicsHOT
  • Propertyware
  • Salesforce.com Salesforce CRM
  • St. Paul Travelers e-CARMA
  • YardiHOT
 Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Billing software
  • Bookkeeping software
  • Intuit QuickBooksHOT
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOneHOT
  • Oracle PeopleSoftHOT
  • Oracle PeopleSoft FinancialsHOT
  • Sage 50 Accounting
  • SAPHOT
 Development software
  • Electronic Data Interchange EDI systems
 Information exchange software
  • GroupMe
  • IBM NotesHOT
  • Microsoft ExchangeHOT
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
 Industry specific software
  • Henry Schein DentrixHOT
  • Medical condition coding softwareHOT
  • Medical procedure coding software
  • MEDITECH softwareHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Product/Equipment
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Eastern Shore Community College
Southside Virginia Community College
Wytheville Community College