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Administrative support clerk skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Mike Peterson Ph.D.,

Allison White

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical administrative support clerk skills. We ranked the top skills for administrative support clerks based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 20.8% of administrative support clerk resumes contained data entry as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an administrative support clerk needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 administrative support 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 support clerks use data entry:

Perform data entry regarding admissions, discharges and transfers according to established procedures.
Compiled information and performed data entry.

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 support clerks use customer service:

Identified and implemented enhancements to customer service, communications, and mediation processes to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction;
Maintained quality control/satisfaction records while constantly seeking new ways to improve customer service.

3. Office Procedures

Office procedures are the protocols and standards which define how the staff works together. The office procedures can be a set of rules and regulations which guide the employees and help them run the office operations smoothly. Paperwork, customer interaction, taking messages, handling calls in and out all fall under the office procedures.

Here's how administrative support clerks use office procedures:

Photocopy documents and other material in accordance with established office procedures.
File all documents in a timely and accurate manner, and in accordance with established office procedures.

4. Payroll

Payroll is the sum of all the compensation that an organization has to pay to employees at a specified time. Payroll is managed by the finance or HR department while small business owners may handle it themselves. Payroll isn't fixed as it varies every month due to sick leaves, overtime, etc.

Here's how administrative support clerks use payroll:

Processed payroll bi-monthly and handled employee workman compensation program.
Prepare bi-weekly payroll and process all payments for invoices to City Manager's Office and Human Resource Office.

5. Word Processing

Here's how administrative support clerks use word processing:

Performed all the word processing for the district.
Created standard documents using word processing software.

6. Administrative Tasks

Here's how administrative support clerks use administrative tasks:

Completed weekly administrative tasks for the Operations Manager.
Assist with administrative tasks, including answering the phones, providing advice and guidance on administrative questions and situation.

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7. Front Desk

Here's how administrative support clerks use front desk:

Worked the front desk, recorded accurate chart notations, greeted patients, and accompanied them into rooms.
Resolved and clarified issues with patient at the front desk and over the telephone.

8. Office Equipment

Here's how administrative support clerks use office equipment:

Created excel spreadsheet to capture retention information and coordinated scheduling of disposal of over 600 pieces of office equipment.
Perform office duties such as filing, making copies and faxing documents; knowledge of office equipment.

9. Administrative Functions

Administrative Functions all revolve around planning and managing business operations. Administrators engage in the planning and execution of different business objectives, implementing workplace policies, and organizing resources efficiently. Every action that is a step towards the business's goals is covered by Administrative Functions.

Here's how administrative support clerks use administrative functions:

Preform administrative functions as needed.
Carried out all general clerical & administrative functions for the Office Director.

10. 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 support clerks use telephone calls:

Answered/transferred telephone calls and made outgoing calls/emails for referrals.
Perform duties such as accepting and responding to telephone calls, greeting visitors, scheduling appointments and arrange meetings.

11. 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 support clerks use scheduling appointments:

Optimized patients satisfaction, provided which time and room treatment hall occur in by scheduling appointments in person or by telephone.
Develop A new protocol for Scheduling appointments more efficiently.

12. Travel Arrangements

Here's how administrative support clerks use travel arrangements:

Processed expense reports, managed travel arrangements, maintained supply inventory, calendar management & time reporting.
Prepared orientation folders, scheduled interviews for managers and made travel arrangements.

13. Clerical Support

Clerical support performs activities that must be done in every workplace in order to support the company going forward. These duties, which come within the category of clerical support, are typically delegated to entry-level employees since they are simple and easy to learn. Even though clerical duties like printing and filing are easy, they require time and in many instances, other workers are preoccupied with other activities and unable to keep up with all that needs to be accomplished. As a result, many businesses employ clerical support staff who are solely responsible for these duties.

Here's how administrative support clerks use clerical support:

Provided administrative and clerical support for various companies, increasing overall efficiency and productivity.
Provided general secretarial/clerical support to Field Case Managers, over 300 nationwide, and office staff.

14. PowerPoint

Here's how administrative support clerks use powerpoint:

Generated reports and assisted with PowerPoint presentations for senior executives.
Created bulletin board messages and presentations with Microsoft PowerPoint.

15. Fax Machines

Here's how administrative support clerks use fax machines:

Answered phones, operated and managed fax machines and photo copier machines.
Place service calls on down copy and fax machines.

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What skills help Administrative Support 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 support 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 soft skills should all administrative support clerks possess?

Allison White

Associate Professor, Ohio University

Employers have told me repeatedly that soft skills are often the most important. They will ask for my reference after I've gotten to know a student and been able to identify their communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. They want someone to take the initiative yet know when to ask questions. Customer service skills and confidentiality were also voiced by our internship supervisors. Verbal and non-verbal communication is a must. The applicant must be able to write well!!

What hard/technical skills are most important for administrative support clerks?

Allison White

Associate Professor, Ohio University

In addition to production software skills, including MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, we often taught database skills using MS Access. Every employer has an employee database and a customer/client database that requires input and sometimes maintenance by office personnel. Keyboarding (65+ wpm), basic bookkeeping/accounting, and filing skills are a must.

What administrative support 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 support 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 support 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.

Do you want to know more?

List of administrative support clerk skills to add to your resume

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

Data Entry
Customer Service
Office Procedures
Payroll
Word Processing
Administrative Tasks
Front Desk
Office Equipment
Administrative Functions
Telephone Calls
Scheduling Appointments
Travel Arrangements
Clerical Support
PowerPoint

Fax Machines
HR
General Administrative Support
Veterans
Computer System
Routine Correspondence
Greeting Visitors
Office Machines
Mail Distribution
Management System
Multi-Line Telephone
Office Operations
Expense Reports
Subpoenas

EX
Bank Deposits
Customer Complaints
Windows
Patient Charts
SharePoint
Multi-Line Phone System
Customer Accounts
Database Systems
Travel Orders
Lotus Notes
USPS

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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