Correspondence Clerks

What the job really is

Compose letters or electronic correspondence in reply to requests for merchandise, damage claims, credit and other information, delinquent accounts, incorrect billings, or unsatisfactory services. Duties may include gathering data to formulate reply and preparing correspondence.

At a glance

• Sector: Office & Administrative
• O*NET-SOC code: 43-4021
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Maintain files and control records to show correspondence activities.
• Read incoming correspondence to ascertain nature of writers' concerns and to determine disposition of correspondence.
• Gather records pertinent to specific problems, review them for completeness and accuracy, and attach records to correspondence as necessary.
• Prepare documents and correspondence, such as damage claims, credit and billing inquiries, invoices, and service complaints.
• Compile data from records to prepare periodic reports.
• Compose letters in reply to correspondence concerning such items as requests for merchandise, damage claims, credit information requests, delinquent accounts, incorrect billing, or unsatisfactory service.
• Route correspondence to other departments for reply.
• Ensure that money collected is properly recorded and secured.
• Process orders for goods requested in correspondence.
• Present clear and concise explanations of governing rules and regulations.
• Review correspondence for format and typographical accuracy, assemble the information into a prescribed form with the correct number of copies, and submit it to an authorized official for signature.
• Compute costs of records furnished to requesters, and write letters to obtain payment.

Tools and technology

Epic Systems, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, SAP software, Computer inkjet printers, Computer laser printers

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Office Clerks, General
• File Clerks
• Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
• Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
• Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
• Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
• Billing and Posting Clerks
• Customer Service Representatives

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Correspondence Clerks — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.