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43-6014.00 · Task explorer

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers.

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Read the task inventory

This source lists 31 tasks, including 20 marked Core and 11 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2019.

31 tasks shown

Core · Task 2790 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Answer telephones and give information to callers, take messages, or transfer calls to appropriate individuals.

Core · Task 2791 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Greet visitors or callers and handle their inquiries or direct them to the appropriate persons according to their needs.

Core · Task 20281 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Create, maintain, and enter information into databases.

Core · Task 20280 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Use computers for various applications, such as database management or word processing.

Core · Task 20283 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Operate office equipment, such as fax machines, copiers, or phone systems and arrange for repairs when equipment malfunctions.

Core · Task 20282 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Set up and manage paper or electronic filing systems, recording information, updating paperwork, or maintaining documents, such as attendance records, correspondence, or other material.

Core · Task 2813 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Operate electronic mail systems and coordinate the flow of information, internally or with other organizations.

Core · Task 2801 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Schedule and confirm appointments for clients, customers, or supervisors.

Core · Task 2800 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Maintain scheduling and event calendars.

Core · Task 20284 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Compose, type, and distribute meeting notes, routine correspondence, or reports, such as presentations or expense, statistical, or monthly reports.

Core · Task 2795 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Complete forms in accordance with company procedures.

Core · Task 2793 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Locate and attach appropriate files to incoming correspondence requiring replies.

Core · Task 2805 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Conduct searches to find needed information, using such sources as the Internet.

Core · Task 2794 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Open, read, route, and distribute incoming mail or other materials and answer routine letters.

Core · Task 2797 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Review work done by others to check for correct spelling and grammar, ensure that company format policies are followed, and recommend revisions.

Core · Task 2796 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Make copies of correspondence or other printed material.

Core · Task 2799 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Learn to operate new office technologies as they are developed and implemented.

Core · Task 20289 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Train and assist staff with computer usage.

Core · Task 2804 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Order and dispense supplies.

Core · Task 20290 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Prepare conference or event materials, such as flyers or invitations.

Supplemental · Task 20285 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Perform payroll functions, such as maintaining timekeeping information and processing and submitting payroll.

Supplemental · Task 20286 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Collect and deposit money into accounts, disburse funds from cash accounts to pay bills or invoices, keep records of collections and disbursements, and ensure accounts are balanced.

Supplemental · Task 2809 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Establish work procedures or schedules and keep track of the daily work of clerical staff.

Supplemental · Task 2806 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Provide services to customers, such as order placement or account information.

Supplemental · Task 2808 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Prepare and mail checks.

Supplemental · Task 2812 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Arrange conference, meeting, or travel reservations for office personnel.

Supplemental · Task 2814 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Supervise other clerical staff and provide training and orientation to new staff.

Supplemental · Task 2802 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Manage projects or contribute to committee or team work.

Supplemental · Task 20287 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Coordinate conferences, meetings, or special events, such as luncheons or graduation ceremonies.

Supplemental · Task 2803 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Mail newsletters, promotional material, or other information.

Supplemental · Task 20288 · 08/2019 · Incumbent

Develop or maintain internal or external company Web sites.

Make the shortlist useful

  1. Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
  2. For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
  3. Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Download before leaving this page. Unsaved writing remains only in the page and is cleared on refresh. Notes and learning actions are not sent to a server. This guide describes an occupation and supports study planning; it does not provide clinical, legal or equipment-operating procedures.

Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.