General office clerks type and file correspondence, reports, statements and other materials. They operate personal computers, office equipment, answer telephones and perform general clerical duties, according to established procedures. They are employed in offices throughout the public and private sectors.
As an office cler, you may be given a variety of duties within an organization. These range from highly specialized tasks to general clerical functions. You type and proofread correspondence, reports, statements, invoices, forms and other material from notes nd use typewriters, word processors or microcomputers. You photocopy and collate material for distribution, mailing or filing. You also maintain and update manuals or computerized filing inventories, mailing systems or databases.
The work also involves receiving and forwarding telephone or counter inquiries to the appropriate person. In many cases, you are expected to provide the public with general information, as requested. You open, sort and route incoming mail, and you send and receive messages using fax machines.
Your other duties may involve performing routine bookkeeping tasks such as preparing invoices or bank deposits. You may sort, verify and process applications, receipts, expenditures, and other documents to ensure accuracy. Finally, you may make travel arrangements for office personnel.
As you gain experience, your responsibilities grow and you develop the scope to make independent decisions. For example, when dealing with clients, you may make decisions that hae a direct effect on the way the organization serves it customers.
Once you gain enough experience as a general office clerk, you may be eligible to move up into a supervisor's position. You may also find that a background as general office clerk gives yo some mobility to move into other, more senior clerical or administrative occupations.
General office clerks are paid and hourly wage or a salary and some may belong to unions, depending on the employer.
When hiring general office clerks, employers look for conscientious people who finish what they start, who work well as members of team ad who can deal effectively with the public.
Many employers will check your punctuality and attendance record at your previous job or in school. Most importantly, employers look for people who are interested in the work itself.