Receptionists and Information Clerks

People in this career often have these skills:

• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.

People in this career often know a lot about:

• Administrative - Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

People in this career often have talent in:

• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

People in this career often do these activities:

• Schedule appointments.
• Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information.
• Greet customers, patrons, or visitors.
• Respond to customer problems or complaints.
• File documents or records.

• Proofread documents, records, or other files to ensure accuracy.
• Operate computers or computerized equipment.
• Collect deposits, payments or fees.
• Send information, materials or documentation.
• Calculate costs of goods or services.
• Analyze operational or research data.
• Sort mail.
• Distribute incoming mail.
• Prepare business correspondence.
• Discuss goods or services information with customers or patrons.
• Record personnel information.
• Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
• Clean facilities or equipment.
• Schedule operational activities.
• Provide notifications to customers or patrons.
• Guide patrons on tours.

• Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service

• Bill and Account Collectors

• Court, Municipal, and License Clerks

• Customer Service Representatives

• Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks

• Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan

• Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

• Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks

• Office Clerks, General