how can I get an clerical job without experience? no one will give me a start?

Answer 1

I would go to a local temp. agency, they seem to be pretty leanant. Practice your typing cause they will prob. give you a computer skills test. You don't really need exp. Just have your parents or a friend help you with a resume, put down, your school and ANY jobs you have had.

Answer 2

Before you go to the temp agency - try some of these suggestions below. Temp agencies will test you on Word, Excel, Typing (sometimes Access and PowerPoint, business knowledge, and/or Bookkeeping). If you can get a handle on Word and Excel - you should be able to nab something.

1) I would take online courses in Word and Excel. These are the most widely used. Practice using these programs at home - if you have them on your PC.

2) Volunteer. Find a volunteer organization that is looking for clerical employees on a part time basis. Have a working knowledge of Word and Excel before you do this.

3) Improve your typing skills. If you have a fast data entry score a temporary agency may hire you on now (without software knowledge). Try to get to 55 wpm or more.

4) Network, ask people that you know if anyone is looking for help in their office. This would be a good way to get your foot in the door (but once again - you should have a working knowledge of Word, Excel and a good typing score).

5) Call your State or Local job board. They usually have free courses and they can even help you find entry level jobs.

6) Have a list of references. Have at least 3 or 4 people who know you and know the quality of work that you do (even if it was not in the clerical field).

Again, if you can become proficient in Word, Excel and can type fast - you WILL find a job. Temp agencies are scrambling for people that have these skills. A volunteer "employer" can also give you a reference for employment (plus you get a chance to give something back to the community).

Best wishes!

Answer 3

I had this problem when I was a student looking for some full time work in the summer.

I found the employment agencies adecco and office angels really good. They will invite you in for a chat/interview and then ask you to do some tests - audio typing, copy typing etc

Based on the test results, they will include if you are capable of basic office work - they will then place you in some temp positions, possibly holiday cover or maternity cover at first, and once you have some good feedback from a couple of placements, they will start offering you the more challenging office roles.

Hope that helps! I got work in a finance dept and an accountants and because my reports were good I then got place in a full time role working in the clerical side of a hospital

Answer 4

- Do volunteer clerical work for non-profit organizations and hospitals as others suggested.
- Night classes
-Temp agency. They can get you started doing light clerical like filing, copying, etc but no computer. As you are graded by the various employers your rating will increase and you'll get better jobs. Some temp agencies also offer training in their offices. I know Kelly Temporary Services is one that does. I worked through them for 2 years. http://www.kellyservices.com
- Unemployment office. In some states they may offer free classes for those can't afford night class. They can also help you write a resume. If you live in Texas you can get this information from the Texas Workforce Commission website. http://www.twc.state.tx.us/
http://www.workintexas.com

Answer 5

What skills do you possess that will help with a clerical job? Are you computer literate (being able to use MS Office, not just the internet)? Do you have good typing skills, writing skills, phone skills, people/customer service skills? If you have no experience AND no skills, therein lies your answer.

Answer 6

Make sure that you have an impressive resume. If you do not have any experience in the field, focus on the qualities that you posess that would make you able and willing to learn the job and do well. Focus on all of your positive personality traits. I would much rather hire someone that was teachable and easy to work with than someone that had experience and was difficult. Just remember that!

Answer 7

To be fair i do clerical work for a law company, and it's not fun...at all, if your doing it because you want to work your-self through the hierarchy, the best thing you can do is try getting an apprenticeship, or alternatively and i dread recommending this go to collage/ uni, I'm currently looking for another line of work it just isn't for me!

Answer 8

Volunteer your weekends doing clerical work for a company. That is a start although unpaid. You will obtain valuable experience

Answer 9

I had this problem and was a cleaner for 8 years, then an opportunity came along at which I grabbed and now have gained 2 & half yrs experience. Try doing some courses to show how willing you are. It is really hard but you really have gotta keep trying.

Answer 10

Try working for a charity like citizens advice. You won't get paid but you'll learn and if all goes well after a few months,you'll have experience and a reference. Good luck.