43-9061.00 · Task explorer
Office Clerks, General: reported tasks and exploration worksheet
Perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific office clerical occupation, requiring knowledge of office systems and procedures. Clerical duties may be assigned in accordance with the office procedures of individual establishments and may include a combination of answering telephones, bookkeeping, typing or word processing, office machine operation, and filing.
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Read the task inventory
This source lists 20 tasks, including 12 marked Core and 8 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: 08/2018.
20 tasks shown
Core · Task 830 · 08/2018 · Incumbent
Operate office machines, such as photocopiers and scanners, facsimile machines, voice mail systems, and personal computers.
Core · Task 827 · 08/2018 · Incumbent
Answer telephones, direct calls, and take messages.
Core · Task 826 · 08/2018 · Incumbent
Communicate with customers, employees, and other individuals to answer questions, disseminate or explain information, take orders, and address complaints.
Core · Task 832 · 08/2018 · Incumbent
Maintain and update filing, inventory, mailing, and database systems, either manually or using a computer.
Core · Task 828 · 08/2018 · Incumbent
Compile, copy, sort, and file records of office activities, business transactions, and other activities.
Core · Task 834 · 08/2018 · Incumbent
Review files, records, and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests.
Core · Task 833 · 08/2018 · Incumbent
Open, sort, and route incoming mail, answer correspondence, and prepare outgoing mail.
Core · Task 831 · 08/2018 · Incumbent
Compute, record, and proofread data and other information, such as records or reports.
Core · Task 837 · 08/2018 · Incumbent
Complete work schedules, manage calendars, and arrange appointments.
Core · Task 840 · 08/2018 · Incumbent
Type, format, proofread, and edit correspondence and other documents, from notes or dictating machines, using computers or typewriters.
Core · Task 836 · 08/2018 · Incumbent
Inventory and order materials, supplies, and services.
Core · Task 835 · 08/2018 · Incumbent
Deliver messages and run errands.
Supplemental · Task 825 · 08/2018 · Incumbent
Collect, count, and disburse money, do basic bookkeeping, and complete banking transactions.
Supplemental · Task 829 · 08/2018 · Incumbent
Complete and mail bills, contracts, policies, invoices, or checks.
Supplemental · Task 838 · 08/2018 · Incumbent
Process and prepare documents, such as business or government forms and expense reports.
Supplemental · Task 839 · 08/2018 · Incumbent
Monitor and direct the work of lower-level clerks.
Supplemental · Task 843 · 08/2018 · Incumbent
Prepare meeting agendas, attend meetings, and record and transcribe minutes.
Supplemental · Task 842 · 08/2018 · Incumbent
Train other staff members to perform work activities, such as using computer applications.
Supplemental · Task 841 · 08/2018 · Incumbent
Count, weigh, measure, or organize materials.
Supplemental · Task 844 · 08/2018 · Incumbent
Troubleshoot problems involving office equipment, such as computer hardware and software.
Make the shortlist useful
- Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
- For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
- 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.
Keep your worksheet
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.