Office Work…the different jobs

Office work, as a sector is vast, and many different roles are included under this title. The most general profession is a clerical or administrative assistant: a job that will vary in its responsibilities between every office.

Clerical assistants are not employed for a specific role, but are generally expected to assist with the running of the office in many ways. Generally, their job can include post opening, filing, word-processing and answering the phones. They are also expected to have enough knowledge of computer programmes to maintain office databases. Some offices will employ people specifically to do some of these jobs, especially word-processing and typing. These offices usually need to produce so many documents that they choose to employ someone to adapt draft notes into complete documents.

These jobs will usually be advertised as 'typist', which will require their applicants to have good typing and word-processing skills. Sometimes, companies will also advertise for specific employees to answer the phones, usually in a call-centre type setting. This type of job will require someone to be very helpful, and like a receptionist, to act as an effective first contact for the company. Others might need specialist employees to work as filing or records clerks, or post/mailroom clerks. However, both of these positions usually involve training on the job.

There are then offices that advertise for secretarial positions. A secretary will still have many of the same jobs as a clerical assistant, but with increased responsibility in the office. Secretaries often act as PAs to senior office staff, assisting with their work organisation, and offering advice where needed.

The same is true of reception work. Receptionists are expected to assist with the running of the office, but also have the added responsibility of being the office's first contact and maintaining good public relations with customers. Companies will often employ someone who has previously worked in a clerical administrative role as a receptionist, as they will need to be able to carry out general office responsibilities such as keeping records and some secretarial work. On top of this, receptionists are responsible for greeting and assisting visitors, answering the phone and making appointments.