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What does a General Office Clerk do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A general office clerk is responsible for a variety of administrative tasks, including answering phones, typing documents, and filing. They may also be responsible for ordering supplies and maintaining equipment.

General Office Clerk job duties include:

  • Answer telephones and give information to callers, take messages, or transfer calls to appropriate individuals.
  • Greet visitors and callers and handle their inquiries or direct them to the appropriate persons according to their needs.
  • Open, sort, and distribute incoming correspondence, including faxes and email.
  • Perform clerical duties such as filing documents, maintaining records, and conducting research.
  • Prepare responses to correspondence containing routine inquiries.
  • Compile, copy, sort, and file records of office activities, business transactions, and other activities.
  • Operate office machines such as photocopiers and scanners, facsimile machines, voice mail systems, and personal computers.
  • Enter and retrieve information contained in computer databases using a keyboard or mouse.
  • Transmit information or documents to customers, using computer modems or fax machines.

General Office Clerk Job Requirements

Most employers require at least a high school diploma for the position of general office clerk, although some may prefer candidates with some college coursework or an associate's degree. In terms of certification, there is no specific certification required to work as a general office clerk. However, completing a certificate program in office administration or a related field can be beneficial. As for experience, many employers prefer candidates with at least one year of previous office experience, although this is not always required.

General Office Clerk Skills

  • Filing
  • Data entry
  • Copy machine
  • Scanner
  • Fax machine
  • Telephone
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Organizational skills
  • Multi-tasking
  • Typing
  • Proofreading

Related: Top General Office Clerk Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a General Office Clerk

A General Office Clerk is responsible for a variety of clerical and administrative tasks. They may work in a variety of settings, including corporate offices, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Duties typically include answering phones, taking messages, sorting mail, preparing correspondence, maintaining files, scheduling appointments, and providing general information to the public.

Education requirements for this position vary depending on the employer. Some may require a high school diploma or equivalent, while others may prefer candidates with some college coursework or an associate’s degree. Many employers also provide on-the-job training to teach new employees the specific skills and knowledge needed for the job.

The most important qualities for this position are strong communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to multitask and handle a variety of tasks simultaneously. Candidates should also be detail-oriented and have good customer service skills.

Related: General Office Clerk Resume Example

Related: General Office Clerk Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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