CareerGPS

File Clerks
Summary Occupational Forecast Data for File Clerks
Employment Employment Change Average Annual Job Openings Wage & Training Levels
2020 2025 Numerical Percent New Jobs Replacement Jobs Total Median Hourly Median Annual Training Levels
767 757 -10 -1.24% -2 112 110 $20.44 $42,520 High school diploma or equivalent
Description: File correspondence, cards, invoices, receipts, and other records in alphabetical or numerical order or according to the filing system used. Locate and remove material from file when requested.
Forecast Data Source: EMSI (4th Quarter 2023)

Occupation Details

The information in this section represents occupational characteristics included in O*NET which defines key features of an occupation as a standardized, measurable set of variables called "descriptors". These distinguishing characteristics of an occupation are described in greater detail in the O*NET Content Model. All items are listed in descending order of importance.

  • Keep records of materials filed or removed, using logbooks or computers.
  • Add new material to file records, and create new records as necessary.
  • Perform general office duties such as typing, operating office machines, and sorting mail.
  • Track materials removed from files in order to ensure that borrowed files are returned.
  • Gather materials to be filed from departments and employees.
  • Sort or classify information according to guidelines such as content, purpose, user criteria, or chronological, alphabetical, or numerical order.
  • Find and retrieve information from files in response to requests from authorized users.
  • Scan or read incoming materials in order to determine how and where they should be classified or filed.
  • Place materials into storage receptacles, such as file cabinets, boxes, bins, or drawers, according to classification and identification information.
  • Assign and record or stamp identification numbers or codes in order to index materials for filing.
  • Answer questions about records and files.
  • Modify and improve filing systems, or implement new filing systems.
  • Perform periodic inspections of materials or files in order to ensure correct placement, legibility, and proper condition.
  • Eliminate outdated or unnecessary materials, destroying them or transferring them to inactive storage according to file maintenance guidelines and/or legal requirements.

Knowledge

86%
Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
68%
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
51%
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Skills

69%
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
60%
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
60%
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
53%
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
53%
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
53%
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Abilities

88%
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
88%
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
81%
Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
75%
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
72%
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
62%
Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes compa
62%
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
62%
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
60%
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
60%
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
60%
Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
56%
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
53%
Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
53%
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
53%
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
50%
Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Work Activities

80%
Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
79%
Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
75%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
75%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
71%
Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
68%
Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
67%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
65%
Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
60%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
54%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
51%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
51%
Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
51%
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
50%
Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Title Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Overall Experience Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Job Zone Examples These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include food service managers, electricians, agricultural technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.
Education Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Interests

Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outsi
Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Work Styles

Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Work Values

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