There are clerical job vacancies available
in a wide range of industries. Employment in this area is
expected to grow at an average rate. There are many jobs
available for skilled individuals with strong industry
experience. This particular category of employment falls within
the administrative employment area and usually relates to
positions such as:
- Secretary
- Administrative assistant
- Office Manager
- Clerk
- Receptionist
Finding A Vacancy
Clerical vacancies are found on most of the
major online recruitment sites and there are positions
available in this sector throughout the United Kingdom.
Vacancies are usually listed by industry. Having clerical
experience within a specific industry area will provide you
with a better chance of successfully securing employment
because employers’ value specialized industry experience when
hiring clerical workers.
In order to find the right vacancy for you
in this area, it is necessary to refine and hone your search so
that you are able to focus your efforts more effectively.
Because you may be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of vacancies
available in this rather broad category, you may wish to search
according to just 3 or 4 industry categories. It makes sense to
choose an industry that you have an interest in – for example
fashion or automotive. By doing this, you are more likely to be
interested in your work and passionate about your job.
Typical Duties
Clerical workers typically perform duties
connected with paperwork, computers, filing and reporting. They
may answer phones, track appointments and use photocopiers,
faxes and computers in order to perform their daily tasks.
Clerical duties may also include writing letters and creating
company reports. They may organize meetings and agendas, plan
travel itineraries, book-keep and purchase supplies and
equipment.
Promotional Potential
Many clerical workers are able to progress
within their company and secure managerial positions. There may
be opportunities to broaden and diversify your experience base
by working into different areas within a company.
Skills and Abilities
Clerical workers need to have very good
written and oral communication skills. They should have a
strong ability to communicate and they should be able to
clearly convey their ideas to others. They must be well
organized and be able to meet deadlines. It is necessary to
work well in a team environment and to maintain a professional
manner at all times. Clerical workers need to have the ability
to prioritize so that they can complete their duties in a
timely and accurate manner. Increasingly, clerical workers need
to have very good information technology skills. There are many
software programs available that may need to be used, such as
Excel, QuickBooks and Word. Clerical workers need to be able to
email, skype, instant message, attach compressed files and
generally take advantage of communication technology. There are
training courses available to ensure that your computer skills
stay up to date.
Education and Training
Clerical workers should have a secondary
education and usually need to complete a certificate in
administration or management. High school leavers may be able
to secure a traineeship. Some specialized clerical positions
may require a university education. Many clerical workers are
trained on the job in order to meet the requirements of the
specific industry that they work in. Some companies have
programmes, courses and skill tests in place in order to ensure
that clerical workers are able to comply with company
requirements.