candidates for employment to ensure that they are eligible for the positions for which they have applied.
Interviewers do interviews over the phone, in person, through the mail, or electronically. They use the information they get to complete forms, applications, or questionnaires for market research surveys, Census forms, and medical histories. Interviewers are usually given specific instructions about what questions to ask and what information to collect. They compile and record information from their interviews.
License clerks help the public with applications for licenses and permits. They process applications and collect application fees. They determine if applicants are qualified to receive the particular license or permit. They keep records of applications received and licenses issued. License clerks keep applicants informed about the status of their application and notify them if they need to provide additional information.
Municipal clerks provide administrative support to town and city governments. They keep minutes of town and city council meetings and then distribute the minutes to local officials and staff. Municipal clerks help prepare for elections by creating ballots and training election officials. They respond to requests for information from the public, local and state officials, and state and federal legislators. Municipal clerks also maintain town and city records.
Order clerks receive orders from customers and enter the information into their company’s order entry system. They also answer customers’ questions about prices and shipping. Order clerks collect information about customers, such as their address and method of payment, to put into the order entry system.
Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks take and confirm passengers’ reservations for hotels and transportation. They also sell and issue tickets and answer questions about itineraries, rates, and package tours. These clerks prepare invoices outlining rates and fees and accept payment from passengers. They may check baggage and assign boarding passes to passengers.
Work Environment
Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks take and confirm passengers’ and guests’ reservations for hotels and transportation.
Information clerks held about 1.6 million jobs in 2010.
Information clerks are employed throughout the economy. Some of the places they work include medical offices, government agencies, law offices, and private businesses.
Work Schedules
Most information clerks work full time. However, part-time work is common for hotel, motel, and resort clerks, for file clerks, and for interviewers.
How to Become an Information Clerk
Many organizations maintain files and records on computers so information clerks need to be comfortable using and maintaining computer databases.
A high school diploma is enough for most positions, but some employers prefer workers who have some education beyond high school.
Education
A high school diploma is generally enough for most positions as an information clerk. However, some employers prefer to hire candidates who have some college education or an associate’s or higher degree.
Training
Most information clerks are trained on the job in the policies and procedures of the business or government agency that employs them. Some types of information clerks, such as those who work for government agencies, may have to go through longer periods of training.
Important Qualities
Communication skills. Information clerks must be able to explain policies and procedures clearly to colleagues and customers.
Computer skills. Many organizations maintain files and records on computers. Therefore, information clerks must be comfortable working with computer databases.
Discretion. Information clerks, particularly human resources assistants, have access to confidential information, and they need to be able to keep this information private.
Organizational skills. Information clerks manage files, applications, and correspondences, so they need to have good organizational skills to find files quickly and efficiently.
People skills. Many information clerks interact with others regularly in person or on the phone. They must be able to work effectively with others to get the information they need and to understand and satisfy the needs of others.
Pay
Information Clerks
Median annual wages, May 2010
Total, All Occupations
$33,840
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
$30,710
Information Clerks
$29,990
All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
The median annual wage of information clerks was $29,990 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18,210, and the top 10 percent earned more than $47,700.
The median wages for information clerks in May 2010 were the following:
$39,960 for eligibility clerks
$36,800 for human resources assistants
$34,390 for court, municipal, and license clerks
$33,410 for correspondence clerks
$31,740 for reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks
$28,820 for interviewers
$28,710 for order clerks
$25,090 for file clerks
$19,930 for hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
$37,010 for all other information and record clerks
Most information clerks work full time. However, part-time work is common for hotel, motel, and resort clerks, for file clerks, and for interviewers.
Job Outlook
Information Clerks
Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20
Total, All Occupations
14%
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
10%
