All careers

File Clerks

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.

What you’d do

  • Perform general office activities, such as typing, answering telephones, operating office machines, processing mail, or securing confidential materials.
  • Keep records of materials filed or removed, using logbooks or computers and generate computerized reports.
  • Gather materials to be filed from departments or employees.
  • Find, retrieve, and make copies of information from files in response to requests and deliver information to authorized users.
  • Add new material to file records or create new records as necessary.
  • Sort or classify information according to guidelines, such as content, purpose, user criteria, or chronological, alphabetical, or numerical order.
  • Scan or read incoming materials to determine how and where they should be classified or filed.
  • Eliminate outdated or unnecessary materials, destroying them or transferring them to inactive storage, according to file maintenance guidelines or legal requirements.

Skills that matter

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Monitoring
  • Service Orientation
  • Writing

How to get there

Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

Also called

  • Clerk
  • File Clerk
  • Office Assistant
  • Records Clerk
  • Claims Clerk
  • Clerk Typist

Related careers

See all careers

  • Data Entry Keyers

    Operate data entry device, such as keyboard or photo composing perforator.

    Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

  • Medical Records Specialists

    • Bright Outlook
    • Rapid Growth

    Compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative…

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

  • Office Clerks, General

    • Bright Outlook
    • Numerous Job Openings

    Perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific office clerical occupation, requiring knowledge of office systems…

    Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

  • Correspondence Clerks

    Compose letters or electronic correspondence in reply to requests for merchandise, damage claims, credit and other information, delinquent…

    Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

  • Word Processors and Typists

    Use word processor, computer, or typewriter to type letters, reports, forms, or other material from rough draft, corrected copy, or voice…

    Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

  • Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

    • Bright Outlook
    • Numerous Job Openings

    Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete.

    Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree