Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Performing Administrative Activities Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

The Work

People in this role sort documents and computer files in line with an organisations filing system. This may involve storing them in physical archives or digitising documents for storage, often both will be required.

In addition to sorting and storing files you will be required to make them accessible for colleagues and assist them in locating specific files.

In many organisations the responsibilities of a filing clerk are now merged with those of other clerical or admin staff, but larger organisations are likely to have specific departments dealing with archiving and documentation, especially those operating in fields where records management is crucial, such as legal affairs or healthcare.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Scan or read incoming materials to determine how and where they should be classified or filed.
• Input data, such as file numbers, new or updated information, or document information codes into computer systems to support document and information retrieval.
• Perform general office activities, such as typing, answering telephones, operating office machines, processing mail, or securing confidential materials.
• Sort or classify information according to guidelines, such as content, purpose, user criteria, or chronological, alphabetical, or numerical order.
• Answer questions about records or files.
• Keep records of materials filed or removed, using logbooks or computers and generate computerised reports.
• Add new material to file records or create new records as necessary.
• Gather materials to be filed from departments or employees.
• Find, retrieve, and make copies of information from files in response to requests and deliver information to authorised users.
• Track materials removed from files to ensure that borrowed files are returned.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Business & Admin or Secretarial courses should include filing/record training and expertise comes with employment. A course in Information management & Business administration. or office procedures are also suitable. 

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship:Business Admin or Office procedures NFQ Level 5 Search our FET coursefinder  

FET Centre PLC Courses: Business Admin. Secretarial (legal / Medical), or Office procedures NFQ Level 5 Search our FET PLC coursefinder 

Last Updated: October, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €27k - €44k

Salaries vary by employer, location, experience, and duties.

Data Source(s):
HSE/ Morgan McKinley/ CPL

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

This is the largest of the administrative occupations, with employment spread across all sectors of the economy. Employment grew strongly between 2019 and 2020 but has only seen marginal growth in employment levels since then. Despite this, there was a high level of recent job hires indicating that job churn is a significant feature of this occupation.

Skills for Growth data points to some difficulties in filling a small number of administrator roles where skills such as digital, numerical, MS Office, and communications were in particular demand. Job opportunities are likely to continue for this role given its large size and the demand across sectors, even if employment rs as demand for skills outstrips supply across occupations.

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