What Do Word Processors and Typists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Word Processors and Typists use word processor, computer or typewriter to type letters, reports, forms, or other material from rough draft, corrected copy, or voice recording. May perform other clerical duties as assigned. They also perform other clerical duties such as answering telephone, sorting and distributing mail, running errands or sending faxes.

Other tasks include:

• Check completed work for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and format.
• File and store completed documents on computer hard drive or disk, or maintain a computer filing system to store, retrieve, update and delete documents.
• Print and make copies of work.
• Transmit work electronically to other locations.
• Address envelopes or prepare envelope labels, using typewriter or computer.
• Type correspondence, reports, text and other written material from rough drafts, corrected copies, voice recordings, dictation or previous versions, using a computer, word processor, or typewriter.

We asked Word Processors and Typists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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65% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 50% 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, Word Processors and Typists perform other clerical duties such as answering telephone, sorting and distributing mail, running errands or sending faxes. They adjust settings for format, page layout, line spacing, and other style requirements.

A typical day for a Word Processor and Typist will also include:

• File and store completed documents on computer hard drive or disk, or maintain a computer filing system to store, retrieve, update and delete documents.
• Gather, register, and arrange the material to be typed, following instructions.
• Keep records of work performed.
• Transmit work electronically to other locations.
• Check completed work for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and format.

We asked some Word Processors and Typists 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?	76% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	35% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	94% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	31% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	11% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	33% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Word Processors and Typists also work with technical material, preparing statistical reports, planning and typing statistical tables, and combining and rearranging material from different sources. They may also reformat documents, moving paragraphs or columns.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Word Processors and Typists Compute and verify totals on report forms, requisitions, or bills, using adding machine or calculator. They might also Operate and resupply printers and computers, changing print wheels or fluid cartridges, adding paper, and loading blank tapes, cards, or disks into equipment.

In addition, they Manage schedules and set dates, times, and locations for meetings and appointments.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Electronically sort and compile text and numerical data, retrieving, updating, and merging documents as required.

To some Word Processors and Typists, it is also their responsibility to Type correspondence, reports, text and other written material from rough drafts, corrected copies, voice recordings, dictation or previous versions, using a computer, word processor, or typewriter.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Word Processor and Typist, 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/oes/current/oes439022.htm

http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/cwc/comparing-a-firms-occupational-wage-patterns-with-national-wage-patterns.pdf