How to hire a credit reference clerk

How to hire a credit reference clerk, step by step

Here's a step-by-step credit reference clerk hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a credit reference clerk job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new credit reference clerk
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a credit reference clerk, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

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   Hiring the perfect credit reference clerk also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of credit reference clerks and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Credit Reference Clerk	Description	Hourly rate
   Credit Reference Clerk	Financial clerks do administrative work for many types of organizations. They keep records, help customers, and carry out financial transactions.	$16-62
   Clerk	Clerks are responsible for many of the general administrative tasks in the office. They are in charge of manning office telephone lines, managing incoming and outgoing mails, filing paperwork and other needed records, scheduling and documenting meetings, typing out documents when needed, disseminating memos and other official announcements, and keeping an inventory of office equipment and supplies... Show more	$11-18
   Office Clerk	Office clerks are administrative employees who handle clerical activities for the organization. They are in charge of managing company records, organizing and storing documents, filing and sorting hard copies of documents, and liaising with other departments or external partners... Show more	$12-18

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Computer System

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage A/R transactions, prepare weekly account reconciliation's, perform research/ adjustments on A/P and A/R discrepancy accounts.
   • Work on A/R and billing for a manufacturing company specializing in premium orthopedic, reconstructive and postoperative products.
   • Work on A/R and billing for a manufacturing company specializing in premium orthopedic, reconstructive and postoperative products.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your credit reference clerk job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A credit reference clerk salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, credit reference clerks' average salary in montana is 54% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level credit reference clerks earn 73% less than senior-level credit reference clerks.
   • Certifications. A credit reference clerk with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a credit reference clerk's salary.

   Average credit reference clerk salary

   $67,495yearly

   $32.45 hourly rate

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   Entry-level credit reference clerk salary

   $35,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 22, 2026

4. Writing a credit reference clerk job description

   A credit reference clerk job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a credit reference clerk job description:

   Credit reference clerk job description example

   LabCorp is seeking a Reference Test Clerk to join our team in Overland Park, KS. This Hospital Reference Test Clerk will be responsible for preparing and sending specimens and test requests to LabCorp and/or contracted reference laboratory for testing, as well as releasing referral test results into the computer system.

   Shift/Hours:Tuesday- Saturday 10pm-630am

   Job Duties/Responsibilities:

   • Prepare laboratory specimens for various analysis and testing
   • Research, troubleshoot and resolve customer and specimen problems
   • Send test requests to proper location and release test results
   • Assist clients with any specimen related requests or inquires
   • Process specimens to be sent out to additional facilities
   • Provide support to various areas of the laboratory
   • Perform sample sorting, racking and retrieving
   • Prepare record logs in a timely and efficient manner
   • Maintain a clean and safe work environment

   Requirements:

   • Requires a High School Diploma or equivalent
   • 1+ year of experience in a laboratory environment
   • Comfortability with handling biological specimens
   • Ability to accurately identify specimens
   • Basic computer and data entry skills
   • Strong communication skills; written and verbal
   • Ability to work independently or within a team environment
   • Well organized and a high level of attention to detail
   • Ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time
   • Must pass a standardized color blindness test

   Shift/Hours: Monday- Friday: 8:00 PM - 04:30AM

   Labcorp is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer:

   As an EOE/AA employer, the organization will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, age, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status.

   For more information about how we collect and store your personal data, please see our Privacy Statement.

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5. Post your job

   To find the right credit reference clerk for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with credit reference clerks they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit credit reference clerks who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your credit reference clerk job on Zippia to find and recruit credit reference clerk candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit credit reference clerks, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new credit reference clerk

   Once you've found the credit reference clerk candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new credit reference clerk first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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