Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a File Clerk
What file clerks actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a file clerk?
File yesterday’s documents. From there, the day usually includes file documents, retrieve records, and scan and index files. Full or part time, business hours.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a file clerk working full time.
- File yesterday’s documents.
- Pull charts for appointments.
- Scan and index records.
- Track down a missing file.
- Reorganize a drawer.
- Box records for offsite storage.
- Update the tracking log.
Where file clerks work
File clerks work in offices and records rooms.
Hours and schedule
Full or part time, business hours.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- File documents
- Retrieve records
- Scan and index files
- Maintain filing systems
- Track checked-out files
- Follow retention rules
- Purge old records
Tools you’ll use every day
- Document management systems
- Scanners
- Label makers
- Filing cabinets
- Barcode trackers
- Spreadsheets
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- No degree needed
- Short training
- Quiet work
- Steady tasks
What’s hard
- Declining employment
- Repetitive
- Lifting boxes
- Low pay
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I’m very organized
- I like order
- I can work alone
- I like steady tasks
- I keep things private
- I want short training
Not sure? Take the free File Clerk fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Lift boxes safely
- Protect confidential records
- Shred securely
- Keep aisles clear