What Do Correspondence Clerks Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Correspondence Clerks compose letters or electronic correspondence in reply to requests for merchandise, damage claims, credit and other information, delinquent accounts, incorrect billings, or unsatisfactory services. Duties may include gathering data to formulate reply and preparing correspondence. They also present clear and concise explanations of governing rules and regulations.

Other tasks include:

• Process orders for goods requested in correspondence.
• Compose correspondence requesting medical information and records.
• Maintain files and control records to show correspondence activities.
• Compose letters in reply to correspondence concerning such items as requests for merchandise, damage claims, credit information requests, delinquent accounts, incorrect billing, or unsatisfactory service.
• Ensure that money collected is properly recorded and secured.
• Compile data pertinent to manufacture of special products for customers.

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

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66% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 48% 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, Correspondence Clerks maintain files and control records to show correspondence activities. They ensure that money collected is properly recorded and secured.

A typical day for a Correspondence Clerk will also include:

• Compute costs of records furnished to requesters, and write letters to obtain payment.
• Process orders for goods requested in correspondence.
• Read incoming correspondence to ascertain nature of writers’ concerns and to determine disposition of correspondence.
• Compile data pertinent to manufacture of special products for customers.
• Route correspondence to other departments for reply.

We asked some Correspondence 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?	90% 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?	78% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	75% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	30% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	97% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Correspondence Clerks also compose correspondence requesting medical information and records. They may also obtain written authorization to access required medical information.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Correspondence Clerks Prepare records for shipment by certified mail. They might also Respond to internal and external requests for the release of information contained in medical records, copying medical records, and selective extracts in accordance with laws and regulations.

In addition, they Submit completed documents to typists for typing in final form, and instruct typists in matters, such as format, addresses, addressees, and the necessary number of copies.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Confer with company personnel regarding feasibility of complying with writers’ requests.

To some Correspondence Clerks, it is also their responsibility to Compile data pertinent to manufacture of special products for customers.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Correspondence 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/information-clerks.htm

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