Office Clerk

Your Fit

Income

$48K

Preparation

Some

Growth

-6.6%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is an Office Clerk?

An Office Clerk is a professional responsible for a variety of administrative and clerical tasks that support office functions. They perform duties such as filing, data entry, answering phones, and basic bookkeeping, serving as an integral part of a business's administrative team.

Sample job titles:

Clerk, Office Assistant, Office Clerk, Office Services Specialist

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Office Clerk.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does an Office Clerk earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Office Clerk.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$33K per year	$40K per year	$48K per year	$58K per year	$71K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $17K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does an Office Clerk do?

Work environment

Office Clerks typically work in an office setting in various sectors like healthcare, education, government, and private corporations. Their environment is primarily desk-based, involving interaction with different departments, and requires standard office hours with the potential for overtime during busy periods.

Quick task list

Answers telephones and directs calls to appropriate staff.
Types, formats, and edits documents and correspondence.
Files and maintains physical and electronic documents.
Schedules appointments and maintains calendars.
Assists with basic bookkeeping and recordkeeping.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

General Office Clerk: Handling a variety of general office tasks.
Administrative Clerk: Focused on providing administrative support to specific departments or executives.
Data Entry Clerk: Specializing in entering and updating information in computer systems.
Mailroom Clerk: Managing incoming and outgoing correspondence and packages.
Records Clerk: Specializing in managing and organizing company records.

Description

Office Clerks are essential to the smooth operation of any business, providing the necessary support to ensure that offices function efficiently. They are often the first point of contact for clients or visitors, requiring good communication and interpersonal skills. The role demands a high level of organization and multitasking ability, as clerks frequently handle various tasks simultaneously.

The job involves a significant amount of clerical work, including data entry, filing, and handling correspondence. Proficiency in office software like Microsoft Office is usually required. Clerks need to be adaptable, as they may be asked to support different departments with a variety of tasks.

While the role of Office Clerk can be entry-level, it offers numerous opportunities for learning and development. Clerks gain a comprehensive understanding of how different parts of an organization function, which can be valuable for career advancement. The job can be a stepping stone to more specialized administrative roles or into management positions within administrative support.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Being an integral part of a team and contributing to the overall functioning of an organization.
Variety in daily tasks, offering opportunities to develop a wide range of skills.
Opportunities for interaction with various departments and personnel, enhancing communication skills.

You might make a good Office Clerk if you are...

Organized and able to juggle multiple tasks efficiently.
Comfortable using computers and learning new software applications.
A good communicator, both in writing and verbally.
Detail-oriented, ensuring accuracy in your work.
Adaptable and willing to assist with a variety of tasks as needed.

Pros:

Exposure to various aspects of a business, providing a broad learning experience.
Opportunities for advancement into specialized roles or management.
Regular working hours, with occasional overtime.

Cons:

The role can be repetitive and may involve prolonged periods of desk work.
May experience periods of high pressure and tight deadlines.
Limited challenges and stimulation in some routine tasks.

How to become an Office Clerk

Typical education

Most Office Clerk positions require a high school diploma or equivalent. Some roles may benefit from vocational training or associate degrees in business or office administration, but these are not typically mandatory.

High school preparation

Courses:

Business Studies to understand basic office operations and procedures.
Computer Science or IT classes to develop proficiency in computer applications.
English and Communication for effective writing and interpersonal skills.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Participating in clubs that involve organizing events or managing communications.
Volunteering in administrative roles at local organizations or events.
Engaging in team sports or group projects to develop teamwork and collaborative skills.

Preparation after high school

Pursuing vocational training or an associate's degree in business or office administration.
Internships or part-time jobs in office settings to gain practical experience.
Computer literacy courses to enhance skills in office software and data management.

More resources

International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) - Offers resources and certification for administrative professionals.
American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP) - Provides training, webinars, and resources for career development.
Occupational Information Network (O*NET Online) - A tool for career exploration with detailed descriptions of the office clerk role.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Provides information on the occupational outlook, work environment, and job requirements for office clerks.

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Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.