Clerical Jobs
- What clerical jobs are there in the UK?
- Where are clerical jobs located in the UK?
- What type of work is available for people in clerical jobs in the UK?
- Who employs people in clerical jobs in the UK?
- What qualifications and experience are required for clerical jobs in the UK?
- How much are people paid for clerical jobs in the UK?
- What is the best way to get a clerical job in the UK?
- How should you prepare your CV for the UK?
What clerical jobs are there in the UK?
A broad range of positions fall under the category of clerical jobs in the UK, some of the most common ones are:
- Data entry officer
- Clerical assistant
- Office manager
Whether you are looking to develop your office career or simply find any office job in the UK, a clerical role can be a great option.
Where are clerical jobs located in the UK?
Clerical jobs can be found UK–wide, though the majority exist in large towns and cities. Office jobs in London are more common than anywhere else in the UK. It is worth noting though, that office jobs in London generally require greater qualification and experience than other office jobs in the UK. Apply to Jobs two weeks before you arrive or Register with Agencies up to 2 months before you arrive.
Areas just outside of London also have a strong demand for employees in clerical jobs. Within the wider area of South East England, clerical jobs may be found in such places as:
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Other areas throughout the UK which you might consider, include:
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Tip: If you have a particular desire to live and work in a specific UK location, then make this intention clear to your recruitment agent from the outset.
What type of work is available for people in clerical jobs in the UK?
For roles involving data entry or clerical assistance, the majority of available jobs are in a temporary or fixed-term contract capacity. This sort of work offers you a great deal of flexibility and can be a great option for both the short and long term.
Work as an office manager demands a much greater commitment to a specific business or organisation and for this reason, roles are usually of a permanent nature. Longer fixed-term contracts (for example, maternity leave cover) do exist and may be a viable alternative to taking on a permanent position.
If you are a Working Holiday Maker, then you should be aware that finding a permanent position may slightly more challenging due to the fact that you are restricted to a period of 12 months employment in the UK. The good news is that there are many Clerical Jobs in the UK in both temporary and contract positions.
Who employs people in clerical jobs in the UK?
Clerical jobs are common amongst all mid–large sized organisations. This means that clerical jobs may be found in all sectors (private, public and not-for-profit) though the sheer number of commercial organisations located in the UK means that they are most common within the private sector.
What qualifications and experience are required for clerical jobs in the UK?
Ideally you should have a minimum of 6 months experience if you are looking for a clerical job in the UK. (Office Managers will need more experience to have demonstrated ability to manage and lead)
For data entry officers the key requirements are:
- Accuracy and speed (min. 55 words per minute) when typing both alpha and numeric information.
- Previous experience with data management software packages may be advantageous.
For clerical assistants, the key skills and experiences required are:
- Competency with office packages (usually MS Office)
- Creating and maintaining databases of information
- Ability to produce spreadsheets and reports
- General office duties, such as filing
- Working with confidential information
Certification and qualification beyond secondary education generally isn't required, though it may be considered advantageous.
Office management roles are at the high end of the clerical jobs category. These roles carry a large degree of responsibility and are usually performed by people with a significant amount of office administration experience.
Key requirements for Office Managers include the ability to:
- Manage budgets and resources
- Meet targets and timescales
- Manage records and statistics
- Manage staff
Qualifications and tertiary education are advantageous rather than necessary. Office Managers often require specific knowledge and experience within a particular industry or organisation. Additionally, Office Managers may require knowledge of:
- SAGE Accounts
- Payroll — PAYE — Year End
- MS Office Packages
- Health and safety administration
Having a drivers license may also be necessary for some positions.
How much are people paid for clerical jobs in the UK?
The amount of money you can earn in a clerical job in the UK will vary from job to job and will be effected by a number of factors.
Jobs based in London almost always pay more than those based in other parts of the UK. This is due to the the associated costs of living in London, as well as the fact that many larger organisations are based in London.
Other factors which will effect your pay packet include:
- The size of the organisation you work for.
- The amount of responsibility you have in your role.
- The amount of previous experience you possess.
- Whether you are working for a private, public or not-for-profit organisation.
Data Entry Officers working in London may earn £8 — £15 per hour. Outside of London, this figure drops to £5 — £8 per hour.
Clerical Assistants working in London may earn £14 — £22 K per annum. Outside of London, this figure drops to £12 — £15 K per annum.
Office Managers working in London may earn £20 — £30 K per annum, however with increased experience and specialist knowledge this figure may rise from £30 — £40 K per annum. Outside of London, Office Managers can expect to earn £19 — £23 K per annum or £24 — £28 K with increased experience and specialist knowledge.
What is the best way to get a clerical job in the UK?
There are plenty of jobs in the UK for experienced candidates but finding the right job can be a daunting task.
Whether you are applying for a specific job or simply looking for anything which matches your skills and experience, your first point of contact will probably be a recruitment agency.
Recruitment agencies are heavily involved in the UK job market - it is their business to find quality candidates for employers while simultaneously helping candidates to develop and progress their careers.
WORKgateways manages a network of the best Office and Administration recruiters to help you reach your potential.
Register with recruitment agencies up to 2 months before your arrival in the UK. Your recruitment consultant will then begin the process of finding you a suitable position, giving you a great head start to your working life in the UK.
If your travel plans or arrival date changes, make sure you inform your recruitment consultant immediately.
Learn how to get the most out of your WORKgateways UK job search in our FAQs.
How should you prepare your CV for the UK?
Your CV for the UK should be short - no more than 3 pages. Recruiters and employers see hundreds of CVs at a time, so it's important to make sure that the important information on your CV is obvious.
Your CV should include a list of your employment history along with your responsibilities for each role. Be sure to list your experience in reverse-chronological order (i.e. most recent experience first).
Use lists and bullet points to enable the reader to quickly scan and understand your experience and abilities.
Example
| Mar 2006 — Present | Company Name, Country Office Manager |
| Responsibilities: |
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