What does a Clerical Assistant do?
Published 3 min read
A clerical assistant is responsible for providing administrative and clerical support to an organization. They perform a variety of tasks, such as answering phones, typing documents, filing, and data entry.
Clerical Assistant job duties include:
- Answer telephones and give information to callers, take messages, or transfer calls to appropriate individuals.
- Greet visitors and direct them to the appropriate persons or services.
- Open, sort, and distribute incoming mail, prepare outgoing mail for distribution.
- Perform general office duties such as filing, photocopying, collating, and faxing.
- Maintain schedules and calendars for managers or supervisors.
- Make travel arrangements for managers or supervisors.
- Order and maintain office supplies.
- Enter and retrieve information from computers using word processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software.
- Compile data and prepare reports.
Clerical Assistant Job Requirements
The job requirements for a Clerical Assistant vary depending on the employer. However, most employers require at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers may also require postsecondary education, such as an Associate's degree in office administration or a related field. In addition, some employers may require certification, such as the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) credential. Employers also typically prefer candidates with previous experience working in an office setting.
Clerical Assistant Skills
- Filing
- Data entry
- Copywriting
- Proofreading
- Editing
- Scheduling
- Answering phones
- Greeting customers
- Taking messages
- Maintaining records
- Processing payments
Related: Top Clerical Assistant Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Clerical Assistant
In order to become a Clerical Assistant, one must first have a high school diploma or equivalent. Then, on-the-job training is typically required in order to learn the specific skills needed for the position. Many times, Clerical Assistants are promoted from within an organization, so it is important to be a reliable and hard worker. Some organizations may require certification in order to be eligible for the position.
The duties of a Clerical Assistant vary depending on the organization, but generally include answering phones, taking messages, filing paperwork, and performing other administrative tasks as needed. They may also be responsible for scheduling appointments and coordinating meetings. Excellent customer service skills are essential in this position, as Clerical Assistants are often the first point of contact for customers or clients.
If you are interested in becoming a Clerical Assistant, it is important to be detail oriented and able to work independently. Good organizational skills and the ability to multitask are also essential. Most importantly, Clerical Assistants must be able to communicate effectively and work well with others.
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