What Is Clerical Work In 2024? A Guide For Job Seekers

In 2024, clerical work is not as common as it once was. However, it’s still a major part of the job market. It’s also a great way to get experience in the office world so you can qualify for a larger range of jobs.

Whether you’re looking for a first job or thinking of switching gears in your career, there are plenty of great clerical gigs out there. Let’s dive into what clerical work is all about, the different types of clerical jobs companies are hiring for today, and how you can snag a job for yourself.

So, What Exactly is Clerical Work?

Clerical work includes a variety of tasks that support the rest of the staff in an office. It includes adding data to spreadsheets, answering phones, typing, filling forms, keeping records, and more. In most cases today, this work is done with a computer.

Clerical work is all about keeping the office running smoothly and managing details. It’s usually done for businesses, government programs, or nonprofits, but sometimes individual professionals will employ clerical workers as well. Some jobs are temp roles, while others are full-time and long-term.

Most clerical jobs are focused on organizing information and keeping everyone on a team on the same page. As a clerical worker, you’re basically the behind-the-scenes hero who makes sure things get done.

Types of Clerical Work

Administrative Assistants, Secretaries, and Office Assistants: These are the folks who keep the wheels turning in offices. They answer phones, set up appointments, sort out mail, and file away important paperwork or data. Having this role is like being the office Swiss Army knife – you do a little bit of everything.

Receptionists: Receptionists act as the welcoming committee for a company or office space. They’re the first ones people see when they walk in the door, and they’re there to help both visitors and office teams out with whatever they need. They often direct their coworkers’ calls and give coworkers a heads-up about upcoming meetings.

Customer Service Representatives: Customer service staff are the folks customers talk to when they have a question or a problem. They’re like the superheroes of the phone lines, swooping in to save the day with their friendly voices and problem-solving skills.

Data Entry Workers: Data entry is all about putting information into computers – think typing up reports, updating databases, and making sure records are up to date.

Office Managers: Office managers are the bosses of the clerical world. They’re the ones in charge of managing the clerical team. They make sure everything runs smoothly – from budgeting and scheduling to keeping the rest of the team on track.

Executive Assistants: Executive assistant roles are a lot like administrative assistant roles. The main differences are that they work for higher-level executives, have more complex tasks to do, and are usually paid more. Many executive assistants do some level of research for their employers and supervise other clerical workers. You nearly always need other clerical work experience to get a job as an executive assistant.

How to Get Yourself a Clerical Job (With or Without Work Experience)

Now that you know what clerical work is all about, let’s talk about how you can land yourself one of these gigs.

Get an Education

To qualify for most clerical jobs, you need a high school diploma or a GED. But if you want to give yourself an edge, think about taking some extra community college classes or getting a certification in Microsoft Office.

Create a Professional Resume

A professional-looking, error-free resume can help you get any job, but it’s vital for clerical work. A good resume shows you care about details, which is an important trait for any clerical role.

Practice Discussing Your Past Experience

Employers want to see that you have good communication, organization, and computer skills. They need to know that you care about getting the details right. If you can talk about how you’ve used these skills in the past during a job interview, you’ll be in good shape.

Don’t sweat it if you’ve never done clerical work before. You can likely come up with examples of how you’ve stayed organized and worked with people at school, through volunteer work, or in other jobs.

Should You Become a Clerical Worker?

Clerical work might not be the flashiest job out there, but it’s a solid gig that can open up a ton of doors. By practicing how you speak about your people skills and organization experience, you’ll be well on your way to snagging yourself a sweet clerical job.

Not everyone is good at clerical work. However, if you’re organized, comfortable working on a computer, and good with people, you’re likely a good candidate. Check out our quiz to find out if you would make a good clerical worker.