Overview
Correspondence clerks write letters, compose electronic correspondence and post immediate replies after sifting through company data. These correspondences will be performed pertaining to merchandise, credit information, incorrect billings, customer service disputes and delinquent accounts. A correspondence clerk can be found in a wide variety of industries and in all areas of the business.
Duties and responsibilities
- Compile corporate data to read, verify and copy client information
- Prepare documentation for transactions, contracts and regulatory filings
- Share internal and external requests, information and correspondence with colleagues
- Concoct and type professional correspondence on behalf of the business
- Proofread all documents to ensure accuracy
- Outline clear, coherent and correct explanations of corporate policies or public regulations
- Gather records, package objects and organise paperwork for outgoing mail
- Maintain files for future reference and correspondence
- Ensure all money collected from clients is correct, recorded and stored
- Communicate with enterprise personnel pertaining to requests
- Obtain written authorisation to gain access to confidential information
- Process orders for goods submitted in correspondence with the company
Skills and knowledge
Working conditions
AVERAGE WORKING HOURS
40hweek
TYPICAL SCHEDULE
Full Time
Standard business hours
Correspondence clerks typically perform their daily tasks in an office setting. They can work in about any industry, but most of these roles will be found in healthcare facilities, hotels and government departments.
Although most information clerks work on a full-time basis, many others work part time, particularly those employed in a hotel
Salary prospects
BOTTOM 10%
$24k
MEDIAN
$37k
TOP 10%
$57k
Annual salary estimates are based on percentile wage data collected through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey of US workers.
Entry requirements
EDUCATION LEVEL
High school
On-the-job training
TRAINING TIME
2weeks
To become an information clerk, you will typically need to possess a high school diploma, although college coursework – particularly if it is business or tech-related – is useful.
Training is typically provided on the job, while employers expect you to maintain a technology proficiency, high typing speed and impeccable organisational skills.
Job outlook
PROJECTED GROWTH
2%
NEW JOBS
200
AUTOMATION RISK
86%
Career advancement
Many information clerks are typically promoted to the role of office manager. That said, growth in this field is limited, as businesses are increasingly consolidating their administrative functions and instituting online practices to streamline operations, such as online applications or digital process orders.