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Clerical Assistant: Key Skills, Qualifications and Career Path

Career Overview
Interview Questions

What is a Clerical Assistant?

Clerical assistants in the UK help with administrative tasks and provide secretarial support to individuals or teams within organizations. This job is perfect for someone interested in working behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly, and includes tasks like managing schedules, organizing documents, and communicating with colleagues.

How do I become a Clerical Assistant?

Clerical assistants in the UK help with administrative tasks and provide secretarial support to individuals or teams within organizations. This job is perfect for someone interested in working behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly, and includes tasks like managing schedules, organizing documents, and communicating with colleagues.

What would you like to know?

What does it take to become an Clerical Assistant?

Skills, education, personality, career progression

Job demand for an Clerical Assistant

Job ads, popular location, season to apply



Skills

  • Excellent organizational and time management skills
  • Strong communication and interpersonal abilities
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other relevant software
  • Attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and record keeping
  • Ability to prioritize tasks and work independently
  • Knowledge of office procedures and equipment
  • Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities and tasks
  • Professionalism and discretion in handling confidential information
  • Customer service orientation and ability to handle inquiries and complaints
  • Basic accounting and bookkeeping skills

Qualifications & Education

  • No minimum academic requirements
  • Entry to professional secretarial courses typically requires GCSEs/S grades
  • NVQs/SVQs available in Administration at Levels 2, 3 and 4

Career Path

Clerical Assistant
Administrative Assistant
Office Manager
Executive Assistant
Operations Manager
Chief Administrative Officer
Data Entry Clerk
Data Analyst
Business Intelligence Analyst
Data Scientist
Customer Service Representative
Customer Service Supervisor
Customer Service Manager
Customer Experience Director
Accounting Clerk
Accounts Payable Specialist
Financial Analyst
Controller

Frequently Asked Questions

Is clerical assistant the same as office assistant?

Yes, clerical assistant is similar to office assistant as they both perform clerical, typing, and administrative duties to help offices run smoothly.

What does a clerical assistant do?

A clerical assistant performs administrative tasks such as filing, dealing with correspondence, maintaining data using computer or manual systems, and other general office duties. They are very organised, have good IT and written skills, and a good telephone manner.

What is the career progression for administrative assistant?

With experience, administrative assistants in the UK can progress to become supervisors or office managers. They can also move into other departments such as IT, payroll, or accounting.

What skills do you need to be a clerical assistant?

Verbal and written communication, basic computer skills, detail-oriented skills, organization, simple mathematical knowledge, critical thinking, and time-management skills are all important skills needed to be a clerical assistant in the UK.

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