Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Office Clerk
What office 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 an office clerk?
Open the office. From there, the day usually includes answer phones, greet visitors, and type documents. 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 an office clerk working full time.
- Open the office.
- Answer phones and emails.
- Enter invoices.
- File documents.
- Greet visitors.
- Order supplies.
- Prepare outgoing mail.
Where office clerks work
Office clerks work in nearly every kind of office.
Hours and schedule
Full or part time, business hours.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Answer phones
- Greet visitors
- Type documents
- File records
- Enter data
- Order supplies
- Sort mail
Tools you’ll use every day
- Microsoft Office
- Phone systems
- Copiers and scanners
- Filing systems
- Calendars
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Many openings
- Short training
- Variety of tasks
- Entry to office careers
What’s hard
- Declining employment
- Low pay
- Interruptions
- Repetitive at times
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like variety
- I’m organized
- I’m friendly
- I’m reliable
- I want short training
- I want an office career
Not sure? Take the free Office Clerk fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Keep walkways clear
- Lift safely
- Protect confidential information
- Know emergency procedures