CLERKS, GENERAL OFFICE California Occupational Guide Number 295 Interest Area 7 1997
THE JOB
GENERAL OFFICE CLERKS do many things that help their offices run smoothly. The things they do may be different depending on where they work, but most General Office Clerks file, type, and photocopy. They also sort and deliver office mail and enter data at computer terminals. They also do word processing, keep track of office supplies, and operate facsimile (FAX) machines and other office equipment. In some jobs, General Office Clerks often work directly with people by giving information, scheduling appointments, or interviewing job applicants, clients or customers.
Administrative Clerks must know how an office operates in order to keep records of office and business activities. Depending on the type of company they work for, they might also do the payroll, keep books, and prepare reports.
Other General Office Clerk jobs have specific titles that describe where they work and what they do. For example, Police Clerks keep the daily duty roster and keep many kinds of records required in police departments. Congressional District Aides work in offices of elected officials assisting citizens residing in their districts.
Most businesses want their clerks to know the day-to-day language and work that are normal for their field or industry. You will find that learning as much as possible about your employer is an important way to become a valuable team member of the work group and your organization.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Most General Office Clerks work in well-lit, nicely furnished air- conditioned offices. If you are a new General Office Clerk, your employer will usually assign you basic things to do which could make the job seem routine and repetitive. As you get more experience, the assignments that you receive become more interesting and give you better chances for more complex duties, more responsibilities and promotion.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The California Projections of Employment, published by the Labor Market Information Division of the Employment Development Department, estimates that the number of General Office Clerks in California will reach 451,780 by 2005, an increase in new jobs of 64,100 over the number there was in 1993.
There will also be an estimated 113,830 job openings due to people retiring or leaving the occupation. Added to the 64,100 new jobs expected, this makes for an estimated total of 177,930 job opportunities through 2005.
(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)
Major improvements in electronic business equipment such as the personal computer and word processor have greatly reduced the time needed to gather and handle data. Because of this, there is much more information available to managers to make business decisions. Employers with computer equipped offices are looking for clerks who can handle the many tasks related to entering, processing and retrieving information.
Since General Office Clerks have many skills needed by most employers, job opportunities are not limited to one industry. The demand for workers will be highest for clerks who have skills in the use of word processors, computers, photocopiers, fax machines and other electronic equipment.
In the next few years, opportunities for General Office Clerks will come mostly from the increase in the number of small businesses and the high turnover rate in this occupation. There will also be an increased number of jobs for temporary work during busy business seasons.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
General Office Clerk wages in California differ widely depending on job duties and responsibilities, work experience, type of industry and location of the work. Workers in large cities usually earn higher wages than those who work in smaller towns and rural areas.
Hourly wage information collected for General Office Clerks shows beginning pay for General Office Clerks with little or no experience ranges from minimum wage to about $11.00 per hour. Experienced clerks generally have more responsibilities and earn from the minimum to $13.00 an hour. Salaries for clerks with extensive experience or specialized skills ranges from $6.00 an hour to over $15.50 an hour.
Most clerks work from 35 to 40 hours a week. About 1/4 of employed clerks work part time. Saturday work is required by some firms. In most cases, overtime is not frequent. When required, it is usually paid at 1 1/2 times the basic hourly pay rate.
Most employers provide health, dental and life insurance and paid holidays, sick leave, retirement and vacation benefits. Some firms may have stock purchase plans or offer cash bonuses each year.
HIRING REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
Employers usually want clerks who have worked in an office and learned to operate office equipment from real work experience or from business classes. High school graduation is usually required, but business training or experience can sometimes be substituted. Many employers require several years of experience.
Employers look for the ability to do accurate work, as well as for skill in using word processors, personal computers, typewriters, calculators, and copying machines. It is important that you become skilled in operating several different kinds of office equipment.
Job duties that are special to individual firms must be learned on the job, but you can learn general clerical skills in high school, adult education, Regional Occupation Programs (ROP), community colleges or business schools. In addition, employers want their workers to have completed basic classes in English, grammar, spelling, and business mathematics.
Clerical jobs held while in school and during vacations provide good experience and often lead to full-time employment after graduation. Some employers and local high schools have work-study programs that give students a chance to earn a salary while learning their jobs.
JOB ADVANCEMENT
After gaining the necessary experience, a General Office Clerk in a large firm may be promoted to a more specialized or more responsible job such as clerk- typist, bookkeeper, receptionist, secretary, or clerical supervisor. In small offices, a clerk may receive increased pay for added duties. If they have the ability and the necessary qualifications, clerks may promote to office manager, department supervisor, or another position. In order to promote to professional jobs you may be required to complete certain college level classes.
FINDING THE JOB
The Job Service offices of the California State Employment Development Department are good places to start looking for a job. If you are interested in working for the government, you should apply at federal, state, city, and county personnel offices. Your job search should also include private employment agencies, temporary employment agencies, classified advertisements in newspapers and trade publications, and contacting employers directly. You will find that most colleges and business schools offer placement services for their graduates.
When applying for work, you should be prepared to take arithmetic and spelling tests as well as a typing test. These tests may be required both by employment agencies and prospective employers.
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
You may wish to read the following Occupational Guides to find out more about these jobs:
Typists & Word Processing Technicians No. 20 Receptionists No. 21 File Clerks No. 261 Ward Clerks No. 528
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1); Congressional-District Aide 209.362-030 Clerk, General Office 209.562-010 Administrative Clerk 219.362-010 Police Clerk 375.362-010
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System General Office Clerks 553470
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
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