what is an office clerk?
As an office clerk, you handle various administrative tasks in an office setting. You provide administrative support to office staff and perform a range of essential duties, such as data entry, customer service and filing. You also perform general office tasks, including bookkeeping, answering phones, handling mail and running errands for the office manager.
To work as an office clerk, you require various office skills. You're responsible for making photocopies, posting outgoing mail, completing banking transactions and sending faxes. You keep accurate paper and electronic records of your transactions. When you answer the phone, you take detailed phone messages and pass the information to the relevant departments.
In some offices, clerks take dictation in meetings and transcribe notes for office managers. You also keep track of office supplies and replenish them to avoid shortages. Other advanced office clerk tasks include keeping payroll records, such as recording the punch-in and punch-out times for employees. As an office clerk, you may also perform basic bookkeeping and front office tasks, like reconciling checks and managing petty cash.
As an office clerk, your duties depend on your office environment. For instance, when you work in a hospital setting, you mostly manage patient records instead of working in a university, where you process application materials and assist students.
Would working as an office clerk suit your multitasking and prioritization skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in an office clerk role.
view office clerk jobsaverage office clerk salary
According to Job Bank, the average salary of office clerks in Canada is $34,335 per year or $17.61 per hour. Office clerks in entry-level positions start with a salary of $29,250 annually. With experience, your earnings increase gradually, and you can take home over $49,107 yearly.
how to increase the salary of an office clerk
The salary of an office clerk depends on experience. When you are new to the role, you start with a lower salary since you have minimal expertise. As your skills improve and you gain experience, you can handle complex tasks, resulting in increased earnings. While there are no qualifications for becoming an office clerk, completing a college course prepares you for the role and improves your earning potential.
The industry you work in also determines your earnings. As an office clerk, you can work in the healthcare industry, legal offices and government facilities. Your earnings depend on the complexity of your duties and whether you have additional roles. For instance, you may procure supplies in a government office and handle other bookkeeping tasks that require additional skills. However, in a healthcare facility, your duties only include handling records and filing documents.
types of office clerks
The types of office clerks depend on the industry and specific duties. Some of the titles for office clerks include:
- general office clerk: as a general office clerk, you perform general administrative tasks, like receiving phone calls, handling correspondence and filing tasks. You also perform scheduling tasks and run the office on behalf of the office manager.
- medical office clerk: when you work in a healthcare facility, you are likely to interact with patients and medical professionals. Your job includes directing patients to their appointments and keeping medical records. You file patient documents and manage the hospital's databases.
working as an office clerk
An office clerk is a highly organized individual capable of handling multiple tasks. You ensure that the office runs smoothly. Here are some of the duties and work environments of office clerks.
-
what does an office clerk do?
The tasks of office clerks depend on the office they work in. However, some of the general duties include:
- operating office machines: as an office clerk, you operate various office machines to perform diverse tasks. For instance, you use photocopiers to generate copies of documents. When scanning documents for digital storage, you use a scanner. You also operate the voice mail system and work on the computer.
- answering telephones: as an office clerk, you answer incoming phone calls from customers or clients. You take messages or direct the calls to the relevant offices. You also make phone calls to clients and suppliers to inform them of changes to their appointment times.
- communicating with customers: as an office clerk, you interact with clients and customers through emails, phone calls and face-to-face. You answer customer questions and help them find what they are looking for. You also disseminate and explain information, sometimes dealing with customer complaints.
- maintaining the filing system: as an office clerk, you are in charge of the company's documents. Your job is to compile, copy and sort file records of office activities. You also keep records of business transactions. Other tasks include maintaining the manual and digital file database and ensuring the documents can easily be retrieved.
- opening, sorting, and routing incoming mail: as an office clerk, you receive the office mail. It is your job to sort the mail and ensure recipients receive their letters and packages. At the end of the day, you also organize the postage of the company's mail.
-
work environment of an office clerk
As an office clerk, you work in different offices. It can range from healthcare centres and government offices to corporate settings or academic institutions. Regardless of the industry, your work is based in an office setting, and you perform most duties from your office desk. The role involves some travelling, like running errands for other employees or attending meetings with managers.
-
who are your colleagues?
As an office clerk, you work alongside administrative assistants, office managers, customer service representatives and accounting technicians. You also interact with professionals from various departments, including sales associates, project managers and HR managers. In academic institutions, you interact with lecturers and administrators.
-
office clerk work schedule
Office clerks work 40 hours weekly or more, depending on their assigned tasks. Most jobs are full-time, but part-time opportunities are also available. While you mostly work during weekdays, your duties sometimes extend to weekends and public holidays when other employees are working.
-
career opportunities as an office clerk
Starting as an office clerk gives you multiple career paths to consider. For instance, you can become an office manager or administrator. Some office clerks follow the path of bookkeeping and become accountants with additional training. Since you are familiar with handling clients, you can also find customer service roles.
-
advantages of finding a job as an office clerk through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
office clerk skills and education
The requirements of becoming an office clerk include:
- secondary school education: to become an office clerk in Canada, complete your secondary school education. You can also pursue a business administration or attend a college commerce course to learn relevant skills for working in an office environment.
- work experience: to work as an office clerk, you don’t require experience. However, a background in administrative support roles or customer service increases your experience in the job.
competencies and characteristics of office clerks
As an office clerk, you rely on soft skills to provide comprehensive support. Some of the qualities employers look for include the following:
- communication skills: being able to communicate effectively is crucial for your role. You communicate with customers, clients and other employees, so it's crucial to be clear and concise. Ensure employees are on the same page by passing accurate memos and relaying feedback. Your written communication skills are also useful for preparing reports and filing the necessary documents.
- effective organization and time management skills: as an office clerk, you rely on organization and prioritization skills to keep track of information and resources. You need time management to perform your duties effectively, including organizing the workspace and planning schedules for office managers.
- customer service skills: as an office clerk, you interact with clients and customers who walk into the company. It is crucial to understand customers' needs and provide them with the right information about products and services.
- computer skills: whether planning schedules or keeping records, your role requires excellent computer skills. Having strong computer skills helps you improve efficiency in your tasks. For instance, skills in word processing, managing databases and creating spreadsheets are useful for your role.
- multitasking skills: as an office clerk, you juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. Since you work in a fast-paced office environment, you are expected to handle multiple responsibilities concurrently. Multitasking skills help you juggle various duties while remaining calm and organized.
FAQs about office clerk jobs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of an office clerk.
-
what are some duties of an office clerk?
As an office clerk, you answer phone calls, take messages and handle mail in the office. You also schedule appointments for various managers and respond to emails from clients. Aside from communication activities, you are responsible for general recordkeeping in the office environment. You perform data entry tasks, file and organize records, and distribute memos to the relevant departments.
-
is being an office clerk a good job?
Working as an office clerk is a good job that involves fielding inquiries from customers and clients. While the role starts with a relatively low salary, you have numerous opportunities for salary growth. It is also an entry-level position that leads to a promising career in administration or recordkeeping and accounting. You have numerous specialization options to choose from, giving you job security.
-
do office clerks need previous experience?
While most employers have minimal requirements for office clerks, it doesn't hurt to have some prior experience. When you have zero experience, you undergo on-the-job training to learn the skills required for the role. A year of experience in an administrative support or customer service position starts you off on the right foot, and you can negotiate a higher salary.
-
what skills do office clerks need?
As an office clerk, you interact with various professionals and clients, which requires excellent communication skills. Your written communication skills also come in handy when preparing reports. You should be an excellent multi-tasker to ensure you can work on multiple projects without forgetting any responsibilities. It is important to plan ahead and speed up workflows to avoid wasting time.
-
what is the salary of an office clerk?
Office clerks earn an average hourly rate of around $17.50 or an annual salary of $34,335. You receive a lower salary in an entry-level position due to the minimum experience required. Hence, you can start with a salary of $29,250 annually, while the most experienced office clerks take home over $49,107 yearly.
-
how do I find a job as an office clerk?
Finding a job near you as an office clerk is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
meet a recruiter
Make sure your resume is up-to-date, including information about your technical skills and certifications. Then share it with us to connect with a recruiter and be matched with job opportunities.
