How to List Clerical Skills on a Resume: Best Skills and Examples

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Clerical skills are needed for many roles in nearly every industry. Listing clerical skills on your resume can show hiring managers you have the ability to stay organized and complete tasks on time. Jobs that require you to interact with computers at all will require a certain degree of clerical skills. This article will show you how to list your clerical skills, and why they are important on a resume.

Why employers want to see clerical skills on your resume

Clerical skills are baseline requirements for some jobs. While there are positions that offer on-the-job training, it’s usually more efficient to hire someone who already has the basic clerical skills relevant to the position. The degree to which clerical skills are relevant will vary from position to position, so it’s helpful to review the job description for each open position to see which abilities are best to add to your resume. 

By listing clerical skills on your resume, you’ll be in a better position to stand out from other candidates. Having clerical skills, such as proficiency with computer programs like Microsoft Office, are essential to creating a resume that employers will remember.

How to list clerical skills on a resume

You can follow these steps to list your best clerical skills on your resume:

1. First, list the relevant hard skills related to clerical work

When employers look for clerical skills for any position, they’re going to be looking for hard skills first. Many of these skills can be taught on the job, but the less training an employer has to provide, the more desirable the candidate. Add clerical hard skills that are relevant to your industry. For example, if you work in the banking industry, list specific finance software you use. 

2. After that, be sure to detail specific computer skills

While some computer skills will be included among other hard skills, it’s helpful to go into more detail regarding your computer proficiencies on your resume. Almost every occupation involves using a computer in some way, so think of computer skills as baseline qualifications you’ll need to demonstrate.

3. Then, describe soft skills or transferable skills

Clerical skills can also involve abilities that transfer over to other positions and industries. Skills like organization, time management and multitasking are all important to completing clerical work. It’s important to add the soft skills you’re proficient in to show hiring managers you have abilities that can transfer to different roles.

4. Finally, consider the specific demands of the job you applied for to determine prioritization

Clerical skills are essential for just about every position, but they’re not always the most important skills. If you’re applying for an office clerk position, listing clerical skills first is essential, but if clerical work is only a part of the job, it shouldn’t take priority over more specialized skills. Tailor your skills list and resume to the specific job you’re applying for. Try adding the most relevant skills first, then listing your clerical skills toward the end of your list.

Best clerical skills to add to a resume

If you want your resume to stand out from the competition, consider adding the following clerical skills:

Computer skills

The majority of clerical work is completed on a computer, so computer skills are essential for your resume. A lot of clerical work can involve data entry, so you may want to add your typing speed if it’s fast. Additionally, be sure to list relevant computer programs you have proficiency in, such as Microsoft Word and Excel. Digital database and calendar management are also relevant.

Communication

Communicating with colleagues, clients and managers is a daily responsibility of many clerks, so communication skills are necessary. Be sure to list that you’re capable of both written and verbal communication, as clerks are often responsible for answering phones and writing emails. General customer service skills can be applicable, especially if the position involves extensive interaction with clients or customers.

Organization

Given that clerks often handle filing and database management, organizational skills are always relevant. Organization encompasses both physical and digital filing systems and record-keeping, so mention both in your skills list if they apply. Other organizational skills, like multitasking and time management, are also helpful to add.

Resourcefulness

Being resourceful is important in completing clerical tasks efficiently. To demonstrate your resourcefulness, you can list varied skills that include the ability to operate office equipment and creative problem-solving. Creative thinking and flexibility are also helpful to show that you can handle a wide variety of potential issues.

How to improve clerical skills

If you feel that your clerical skills aren’t quite up to par for your resume, the following steps can help you improve:

1. First, practice your typing 

Whether you’re completing data entry or general database management, having a fast typing speed can demonstrate your efficiency in a wide variety of tasks. There are typing programs available online that can improve your speed or help you develop good typing techniques.

2. Second, volunteer at a local organization

Nonprofits and community centers typically accept volunteers to assist with office duties. If you need to work on specific clerical skills or want to gain more experience in a clerical setting, seek volunteer opportunities where you can perform data entry, help with filing and complete other office duties.

3. Last, learn more about Microsoft Office

Microsoft Word and Excel are essential clerical skills that are universally applicable in most jobs. You can find training classes online or guide books in your local library that can teach you about the more advanced functions of each, which will allow you to accomplish clerical tasks more easily.