Occupation

File Clerks

Human Advantage 66%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
4.8 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

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.

Also Known As: Admissions Clerk, Blueprint Clerk, Brand Recorder, Card Filer, Claims Clerk, Classification Clerk, Clerk, Computer Aide +55 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Scan or read incoming materials to determine how and where they should be classified or filed.
  2. Input data, such as file numbers, new or updated information, or document information codes into computer systems to support document and information retrieval.
  3. Perform general office activities, such as typing, answering telephones, operating office machines, processing mail, or securing confidential materials.
  4. Sort or classify information according to guidelines, such as content, purpose, user criteria, or chronological, alphabetical, or numerical order.
  5. Answer questions about records or files.
  6. Keep records of materials filed or removed, using logbooks or computers and generate computerized reports.
  7. Add new material to file records or create new records as necessary.
  8. Gather materials to be filed from departments or employees.
  9. Find, retrieve, and make copies of information from files in response to requests and deliver information to authorized users.
  10. Track materials removed from files to ensure that borrowed files are returned.
  11. Place materials into storage receptacles, such as file cabinets, boxes, bins, or drawers, according to classification and identification information.
  12. Eliminate outdated or unnecessary materials, destroying them or transferring them to inactive storage, according to file maintenance guidelines or legal requirements.
  13. Perform periodic inspections of materials or files to ensure correct placement, legibility, or proper condition.
  14. Modify or improve filing systems or implement new filing systems.
  15. Design forms related to filing systems.

Supplemental Tasks (4)

  1. Complete general financial activities, such as processing accounts payable, reviewing invoices, collecting cash payments, or issuing receipts.
  2. Operate mechanized files that rotate to bring needed records to a particular location.
  3. Assign and record or stamp identification numbers or codes to index materials for filing.
  4. Retrieve documents stored in microfilm or microfiche and place them in viewers for reading.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
40%
Master's Degree
25%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
11%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
10%
Less than a High School Diploma
7%
Some College Courses
5%
Bachelor's Degree
1%
Post-Doctoral Training
1%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word

Software (15)

  • Electronic filing software
  • Electronic health record EHR software
  • Email software
  • Optical scanning software
  • Word processing software

Tools & Equipment (12)

  • Computer inkjet printers
  • Copy machines
  • Document scanners
  • Document stamps
  • File cabinets
  • Laser facsimile machines
  • Mechanized file systems
  • Microfiche viewing equipment
  • Microfilm viewing equipment
  • Multiline telephone systems
  • Personal computers
  • Stepladders

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Local, State, & Federal Services Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
File Clerks You are here
Zone 3
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents 78% match
Zone 4
Compliance Officers 79% match
Zone 5
Anthropologists and Archeologists 77% match

Resume Builder

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Real Talk

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