Summary for:
Receptionists and Information ClerksDescription:
Answer inquiries and obtain information for general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties. Provide information regarding activities conducted at establishment; location of departments, offices, and employees within organization.Sample of reported job titles:
Sample of reported job titles: Receptionist, Administrative Assistant, Office Manager, Secretary, Community Liaison, Member Service Representative, Office Assistant, File Clerk, Front Desk Receptionist, Greeter
Tasks | Knowledge | Skills | Abilities | Activites | Experience | Example | Education | Work Style | Work Values | Related Jobs | Wage | Employment | Expected Growth | Expected Need
Tasks:
- Operate telephone switchboard to answer, screen and forward calls, providing information, taking messages and scheduling appointments.
- Receive payment and record receipts for services.
- Perform administrative support tasks such as proofreading, transcribing handwritten information, and operating calculators or computers to work with pay records, invoices, balance sheets and other documents.
- Greet persons entering establishment, determine nature and purpose of visit, and direct or escort them to specific destinations.
- Hear and resolve complaints from customers and public.
- File and maintain records.
- Transmit information or documents to customers, using computer, mail, or facsimile machine.
- Schedule appointments, and maintain and update appointment calendars.
- Analyze data to determine answers to questions from customers or members of the public.
- Provide information about establishment such as location of departments or offices, employees within the organization, or services provided.
Knowledge:
| Oral Comprehension ó The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
| Oral Expression ó The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. |
| Speech Recognition ó The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. |
| Speech Clarity ó The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. |
| Information Ordering ó The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). |
| Near Vision ó The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
| Written Comprehension ó The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. |
| Selective Attention ó The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. |
| Written Expression ó The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. |
Skills:
| Interacting With Computers ó Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| Getting Information ó Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Performing Administrative Activities ó Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
| Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates ó Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Communicating with Persons Outside Organization ó Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
| Assisting and Caring for Others ó Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. |
| Documenting/Recording Information ó Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
| Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships ó Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work ó Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Performing for or Working Directly with the Public ó Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. |
Abilities:
| Telephone ó How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? |
| Contact With Others ó How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? |
| Face-to-Face Discussions ó How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? |
| Structured versus Unstructured Work ó To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate ó How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? |
| Spend Time Sitting ó How much does this job require sitting? |
| Work With Work Group or Team ó How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks ó How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job? |
| Freedom to Make Decisions ó How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled ó How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? |
Work Activities:
| Title | Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed |
| Overall Experience | Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty. |
| Job Training | Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. |
| Job Zone Examples | These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers. |
| SVP Range | (4.0 to < 6.0) |
| Education | These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed. |
Work Style:
| 41-2011.00 | Cashiers |
| 41-2021.00 | Counter and Rental Clerks  |
| 43-2011.00 | Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service |
| 43-3021.01 | Statement Clerks |
| 43-4081.00 | Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks |
| 43-4141.00 | New Accounts Clerks |
| 43-4151.00 | Order Clerks |
| 43-6014.00 | Secretaries, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive |
| 43-9041.01 | Insurance Claims Clerks |
| 43-9061.00 | Office Clerks, General |
Faster than average (14% to 20%)