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Administrative office clerk skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Mike Peterson Ph.D.,

Anne McConnell Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical administrative office clerk skills. We ranked the top skills for administrative office clerks based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 20.9% of administrative office clerk resumes contained data entry as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an administrative office clerk needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 administrative office clerk skills for your resume and career

1. Data Entry

Data entry means entering data into a company's system with the help of a keyboard. A person responsible for entering data may also be asked to verify the authenticity of the data being entered. A person doing data entry must pay great attention to tiny details.

Here's how administrative office clerks use data entry:

Processed personnel payroll using specified data entry software and distributed various information to authorized personnel.
Performed Data entry duties according to established program guidelines for accuracy and timeliness.

2. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how administrative office clerks use customer service:

Provide excellent customer service to the public Utilize MS word to prepare legal documents Coordinate file management Resolve problems Provide administrative support
Prepared correspondence/reports Customer Service - sold Bank products Collect delinquent loan payment Scheduled appointments/meetings Other administrative duties assigned

3. Phone Calls

Phone calls are a wireless or wired connection made over a telephone or a mobile phone between two people. Two parties are involved in a phone call, the caller and the receiver. A caller dials the number of the one he wants to call, and the recipient hears a bell or a tune to which he picks up the call. The call establishes a connection between them through which they can communicate. The voice is converted into signals and is transmitted through wired or wireless technology.

Here's how administrative office clerks use phone calls:

Receive and direct telephone calls and relay conversation and pertinent messages to others, while maintaining accuracy, clarity and confidentiality.
Receptionist-Answered a three line phone system and transferred phone calls to correct extensions and took phone messages for employees.

4. Office Equipment

Here's how administrative office clerks use office equipment:

Operate office equipment, set-up for meetings, maintain records, maintain and update calendar/inter-office communications, log and distribute in/out mail
Operated basic office equipment including fax machines, printer, copy machines, adding machines, computer and other equipment.

5. Purchase Orders

Here's how administrative office clerks use purchase orders:

Restructured and consolidated office paper filing system for electronic view of purchase orders/agreements.
Prepared requisitions and purchase orders via PeopleSoft.

6. Front Desk

Here's how administrative office clerks use front desk:

Process office mail, accounting, purchasing materials, carry out front desk staff tasks!
Assisted the front desk staff and specialists with their cases.

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7. Office Machines

An office machine is a mechanical and electronic device that is used to get work done in an organization or establishment, to finish multiple works in a short time, and to enhance productivity. Office machines are essential in running a modern office and range from calculators to printers to computers.

Here's how administrative office clerks use office machines:

Operate office machines, such as scanners, photocopies, fax machines and answer telephones, transfer calls and take messages.
Operated office machines, such as photocopiers and scanners, facsimile machines

8. Scheduling Appointments

Scheduling appointments is the practice of finding a free slot with the person(s) you want to meet. The process of scheduling appointments involves finding mutually free time, negotiating follow-ups, sending reminders, and creating new appointments. Scheduling appointments is important to ensure that the timings of consecutive meetings do not clash with each other.

Here's how administrative office clerks use scheduling appointments:

Demonstrated excellent communication skills when scheduling appointments, receiving and directing incoming calls, called banks for updates regarding loan-related information.
Perform routine clerical and administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files.

9. Bank Deposits

Any money that a customer chooses to leave with their bank account is a deposit. Deposits can vary in amounts and different banks have limits on the deposits their customers can have as a minimum. Banks charge customers for deposits especially when a teller is used by the customer to deposit money into their account.

Here's how administrative office clerks use bank deposits:

Performed various accounting functions, including weekly accounts receivable reconciliations / bank deposits, petty cash management, and accounts payable.
Performed daily accounting duties including register tallying, process bank deposits, file daily accounting paperwork.

10. Computer System

Here's how administrative office clerks use computer system:

Utilized computer systems to update and organize information as well as create various reports & spread sheets.
Counted previous days tills, entering all totals and verifying with the totals recorded in computer system.

11. Direct Calls

Direct calls are connections established with a previous customer or client, most likely a subscriber.

Here's how administrative office clerks use direct calls:

Monitor switchboard for Sales and Office departments, direct calls to individuals.
Answered administrative phone lines, take messages, and direct calls.

12. Telephone Calls

Telephone calls are a communication means through which a caller is connected to the called party. The call is done through a telecommunications device called a telephone. The caller can use a landline, mobile phone, or satellite phone to make the call.

Here's how administrative office clerks use telephone calls:

Answered and returned telephone calls presenting strong verbal communication skills and utilizing excellent phone etiquette in a fast paced environment.
Received and directed telephone calls and relay conversation and pertinent messages to others while maintaining accuracy, clarity and confidentiality.

13. Administrative Tasks

Here's how administrative office clerks use administrative tasks:

Perform clerical and administrative tasks quickly and accurately.
Perform Administrative tasks and assisted colleagues to ensure office staff has adequate support to work efficiently.

14. Business Transactions

Here's how administrative office clerks use business transactions:

Prepared Daily Business Transactions Record Files.
Compiled and maintains records of business transactions and office activities.

15. PowerPoint

Here's how administrative office clerks use powerpoint:

Acquired working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; improved typing skills and proficiency.
Experienced in creating spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations and navigating within Outlook and the internet, operate general office business equipment.

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What skills help Administrative Office Clerks find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on administrative office clerk resumes?

Dr. Mike Peterson Ph.D.

Department Chair and Associate Professor of English, Dixie State University

Writing skills have always been valued by employers, but anything that shows an ability to write, produce, or communicate in digital spaces will stand out. While employers are becoming increasingly comfortable having employees work and collaborate digitally (from home or elsewhere), they may still be reluctant to train employees how to do that. They want to see evidence that applicants will know how to use technology and stay productive without extensive training and without a supervisor having to stand behind them. That isn't to say training won't take place, but employers want to use their valuable time and resources training employees on their own systems, policies, and procedures; they don't want to have to show new-hires how to use Zoom, how to format a memo, how to write an email, or how to co-edit a document using OneDrive.

What administrative office clerk skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Anne McConnell Ph.D.

Professor, West Virginia State University

I would encourage someone taking a gap year to branch out, seeking work experiences and employment situations that expose them to new skills and allow them to interact with a diverse set of people. Sometimes we find ourselves in a bubble-communicating with the same people, who tend to share the same ideas-and a gap year provides the opportunity to extend beyond that. Employers value employees who have open, flexible minds, and seeking out experiences that demonstrate that openness can be helpful.

What type of skills will young administrative office clerks need?

Angela Robbins Ph.D.

Associate Professor of History, Meredith College

History majors are in high demand in government, business, and non-profits because of the knowledge and skills they gain in the classroom. History majors, in particular, are especially good at contextualizing-that is, explaining how an event or discussion fits within the big picture. This includes how things that are going on today-such as the Capitol riot on January 6-connects to the Constitution, the balance of powers, the way democracy works, and related issues such as the implications of propaganda and misinformation. This goes well beyond merely expressing an opinion or debating two sides of an issue. Students of history do their research and practice skills of analysis, collecting and scrutinizing evidence rather than taking something at face value or only relying on a single source. We take sources apart to evaluate the credentials of their creators and search for bias. We examine sources from various creators so we take into account multiple experiences and points of view. Then we synthesize-or bring the sources together-in order to communicate what it all means. These skills are desired by employers and translate well into many careers and work environments. Seeking good evidence to answer questions and solve problems, whether that's in the classroom today or working with clients later, is a skill that employers highly value.

Students are practicing other skills that are necessary to success in the workplace, whether that will be in person or online. Time management, seeing a project through from start to finish, hosting and contributing to meetings, working on a team-whether it's two people or ten-and creating appropriate types of presentations to communicate ideas are all things our students can tell their employers they will come in with so they can hit the ground running. In addition, our majors develop self-awareness, empathy, and an appreciation of diverse opinions and approaches to problems through investigation of the life experiences of historical figures and their classroom discussions with classmates. Certainly, every employer wants you to learn the specifics within their sector, but these skills are fairly universal and will benefit majors as they move from the classroom to career.

What technical skills for an administrative office clerk stand out to employers?

Christi Patton Luks

Professor (NTT) and Associate Chair for Academic Affairs, Missouri University of Science & Technology

I've always felt that the most important thing we teach our students is problem-solving skills. The students who can readily relate the theory to their practical experience to develop new solutions are the most valuable. Engineering students that are active on design teams or took advantage of internships and co-ops are in great position for this.

What soft skills should all administrative office clerks possess?

Brandy Bailey

Career Coach, Ohio University - Lancaster Campus

Soft skills may vary depending on the employer, industry, and personal opinions. My biggest ones are communication skills, adaptability, self-awareness, teamwork, problem-solving, intercultural competency, creativity or innovation, and time management.

Do you want to know more?

List of administrative office clerk skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for an administrative office clerk resume and required skills for an administrative office clerk to have include:

Data Entry
Customer Service
Phone Calls
Office Equipment
Purchase Orders
Front Desk
Office Machines
Scheduling Appointments
Bank Deposits
Computer System
Direct Calls
Telephone Calls
Administrative Tasks

Business Transactions
PowerPoint
Database Systems
HR
Fax Machines
Office Operations
Word Processing
Multi-Line Phone System
Travel Arrangements
Office Administration
Expense Reports
QuickBooks
Customer Inquiries

Voice Mail Systems
Payroll Data
Customer Complaints
Inbound Calls
Financial Reports
Cash Drawers
Address Complaints
Facsimile Machines
Administrative Functions
Business Reports
Copy Machines

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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