Clerical Support: How to Hire, Average Salary, & More

Clerical support workers have a wide range of administrative responsibilities, including recording, organizing, and retrieving information, scheduling appointments, and supporting business operations. Clerical support is invaluable within many industries, meaning they may work in finance, human resources, or in a medical office, to name a few.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the job description, responsibilities, and qualifications you should consider when hiring clerical support for your business!

Clerical support job description

Clerical staff typically manage the day-to-day tasks of an office, including answering the phones, filing documents, performing data entry, scheduling appointments, and processing information requests.

The primary function of clerical support is to maintain smooth operations. But these functions may evolve depending on the size and type of business.

Clerical support roles and responsibilities

Sometimes referred to as office clerks or administrative assistants, the roles and responsibilities of clerical support staff vary depending on different factors. However, some general duties that clerical support may be tasked with day-to-day—depending on the type of office—include:

Answering phones, taking messages, and directing calls to appropriate parties.
Filing, sorting, organizing, and retrieving company files and information.
Maintaining mail databases, distributing incoming mail, and preparing outgoing mail.
Scheduling appointments and managing calendars for the company.
Performing basic bookkeeping tasks and recording financial transactions.
Taking minutes of meetings and providing documentation to necessary parties.
Performing inventory to ensure the office has the necessary supplies.
Utilizing a number of office appliances to send faxes, make companies, and maintain computer databases.
Sending out forms, business correspondence, and interoffice communications.

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Necessary clerical support skills

As you can tell from the list above, clerical support responsibilities are extensive. Performing such a wide range of tasks requires a specific set of skills. Here are some top skills to look for in candidates you’re considering hiring clerical staff:

Excellent communication skills
Organizational and multi-tasking skills
Excellent typing, data entry, and computer skills
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office
Analytic and problem-solving skills
Basic mathematical skills
Previous experience with office appliances
Ability to file and document
Good customer service skills
Strong phone etiquette
Experience organizing events
Inventory and order processing skills
The ability to schedule and coordinate company calendars
Previous clerical support experience in an office

Qualifications of a clerical support staff

Companies sometimes require individuals to have a high school diploma or GED, but some may look for further education, like an associate’s degree. It can also look good on a resume for clerical support professionals to have clerical or administrative certifications, like:

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)
Certified Professional Clerical Associate (CPCA)
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)
Certified Office Manager (COM)
International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)

In most cases, people learn clerical support skills on the job. Many positions are entry-level, but some companies prefer candidates with a minimum number of years working in an office. Learning specific company databases or operations can be trained. But employers, at the very least, look for candidates who work well with computers, have strong written and verbal communication and problem-solving skills, and have the ability to grasp new concepts and work with little supervision.

How much does a clerical support worker make?

According to Salary.com, the base salary for an administrative or clerical worker in the United States falls between $37,500 and $46,500 per year, with the average falling at $41,400. Of course, these figures vary depending on other factors, including skills, education, certifications, and years of experience.

Clerical support questions to ask in an interview

Resumes can clearly indicate a person’s skills, education, and qualifications. But the interview process helps you better understand how the skills of a prospective candidate can benefit your company. Some questions to consider asking clerical support candidates are:

How many years of experience do you have working in an office?
How long have you worked in a clerical or administrative role?
What clerical tasks were you responsible for in your previous positions?
What computer programs and data management systems are you familiar with?
Do you have previous experience performing bookkeeping tasks?
What experience do you have scheduling appointments and managing office calendars?
Are you comfortable working with basic office appliances—phones, copiers, and fax machines?
What tools do you use to ensure an office environment remains organized?
Do you have experience performing inventory and office orders?
Do you have any certifications or education you feel pertains to this position?

Consider hiring clerical support today

Clerical support is vital to ensuring the smooth-running success of offices in any industry. Contact us if you’re looking for additional clerical support for your company. Insight Global can help you find candidates with the clerical skills and experience to ensure your office runs like a well-oiled machine today.