What Do General Office Clerks Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

General Office Clerks 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, stenography, office machine operation, and filing. They also operate office machines, such as photocopiers and scanners, facsimile machines, voice mail systems, and personal computers.

Other tasks include:

• 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.

We asked General Office Clerks how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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67% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 52% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, General Office Clerks open, sort, and route incoming mail, answer correspondence, and prepare outgoing mail. They answer telephones, direct calls, and take messages.

A typical day for a General Office Clerk will also include:

• Communicate with customers, employees, and other individuals to answer questions, disseminate or explain information, take orders, and address complaints.
• Operate office machines, such as photocopiers and scanners, facsimile machines, voice mail systems, and personal computers.
• 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.
• Deliver messages and run errands.

We asked some General Office Clerks a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	92% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	65% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	73% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	25% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	9% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	40% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, General Office Clerks also process and prepare documents, such as business or government forms and expense reports. They may also count, weigh, measure, or organize materials.

On a weekly to monthly basis, General Office Clerks Complete and mail bills, contracts, policies, invoices, or checks. They might also Inventory and order materials, supplies, and services.

In addition, they Troubleshoot problems involving office equipment, such as computer hardware and software.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Complete work schedules, manage calendars, and arrange appointments.

To some General Office Clerks, it is also their responsibility to Prepare meeting agendas, attend meetings, and record and transcribe minutes.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a General Office Clerk, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/office-and-administrative-support/general-office-clerks.htm

http://www.iaap-hq.org/