General office clerks are responsible for a variety of duties in an office setting, which can include answering phone calls, filing documents, and conducting data entry. Tasks can involve a certain level of both physical and mental stamina; general office clerks may be required to be on their feet or sitting in place for long hours. Performing many tasks at once or on deadline also is common. As a result, communication skills, organization, and multitasking are beneficial for general office clerks. General office clerks are present in many different environments, such as schools, hospitals, and government offices. Their work area may be adjacent to a supervisor's office or at the front end of a business. Depending on the size of the organization or institution, general office clerks may be expected to work alone or as part of a group. Supervision may be done directly by a business owner or under a team manager. General office clerks work in either a part- or full-time capacity, so hours vary across different settings.
Experience is highly valued by employers of general office clerks. Typically a high school diploma or GED is required, although employers may require higher education depending on the clerk's duties.