General Office Support Workers
(NOC 1411)
in All Business, Finance, and AdministrationGeneral office support workers prepare correspondence, reports, statements and other material, operate office equipment, answer telephones, verify, record and process forms and documents like contracts and requisitions and do general clerical duties according to procedures. They work in offices throughout the public and private sectors.
Job Outlook
Average
Read more
Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
A moderate number of general office support workers were laid off in March and April due the temporary closure of certain types of business. Many have since been rehired. Workers in this occupation are spread across several different industries, some of which may have been affected more than others by COVID-19. Those in hospitals and government organizations are far less likely to have been laid off than those in harder hit industries, like retail. With the increase of virtual communication, sanitization, and occupancy restrictions due the pandemic, many office support workers have experienced a change in work tasks.
Total employment in this occupation is expected to decline. Improvements in administrative software and other technological advancements have automated some of the simpler tasks performed by office support workers. As a result, the remaining positions have become more skilled. Vacancies created by retirements are a main source of opportunities. Presently, there are many qualified jobseekers for vacancies in this occupation. Successful job applicants are likely to be distinguished by amount of experience or industry-specific skills.
The median employment income for the 49% of General Office Support Workers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $39,226. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, the 59% of those who worked full-time, year-round had a median employment income of $43,600. (Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$13.57
Minimum$20.00
Median$27.40
MaximumAnnual Pay
$6,155
Minimum$30,706
Median$52,565
MaximumCompared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
Hourly Pay
$14.00
Minimum$27.85
Median$38.46
MaximumAnnual Pay
$6,754
Minimum$36,515
Median$70,271
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
General office support workers prepare correspondence, reports, statements and other material, operate office equipment, answer telephones, verify, record and process forms and documents like contracts and requisitions and do general clerical duties according to procedures. They work in offices throughout the public and private sectors.
Job duties
General office support workers:
- Prepare communication, reports, statements, forms, presentations, applications and other documents from notes or Dictaphone.
- Respond to telephone, in person or electronic questions or forward to appropriate person.
- Give general information to staff, clients and the public about company or program rules, regulations and procedures.
- Photocopy and collate documents for sharing, mailing and filing.
- Sort and file documents according to filing systems, locate and retrieve documents from files as requested and maintain records of filed and removed materials.
- Maintain and prepare reports from manual or electronic files, inventories, mailing lists and databases.
- Process incoming and outgoing mail.
- Send and receive messages and documents using fax machine or e-mail.
- Help with administrative procedures like budget submissions, contracts administration and work schedules.
- Maintain inventory of office supplies, order supplies as required and arrange for office equipment servicing.
- May complete basic bookkeeping tasks like preparing invoices and bank deposits.
- May sort, process and verify receipts, expenditures, forms and other documents.
- May organize the flow of work for other office support workers.
Sample job titles
- administrative clerk
- aircraft records clerk
- file and classification clerk
- filing clerk
- general office worker
- medical records clerk
- office assistant
- office clerk
- records filing-system clerk
- technical records clerk
- ward clerk - hospital
- warranty clerk
Skills
Good communication and interpersonal skills are important, along with a willingness to learn and adapt to continually changing equipment and software. Your work must be accurate, and you should enjoy repetitive tasks. Familiarity with computer software and other office equipment is needed. You should also be cooperative and able to work as part of a team.
Job requirements
- High school is usually required.
- High school or college business or commercial courses are usually required.
Other considerations
The use of computer technology to the tasks done by many clerks means that a solid foundation in computer skills is often necessary for entry into these jobs. Workers should be able to adapt to changes in technology. Some clerical experience may be required and on-the-job training may also be provided. Movement to supervisor, office management or officer level is possible with experience and additional training.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
North Shore
Cape Breton
Annapolis Valley
Southern
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health care and social assistance
Public administration
Retail trade
Finance and insurance
Construction
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
15-24
65+
Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
65+
Top levels of education
College Diploma
$32,865 median annual incomeHigh school
$28,269 median annual incomeBachelor
$29,590 median annual incomeLess than high school
$18,514 median annual incomeApprenticeship
$30,153 median annual incomeCompared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
College Diploma
$36,304 median annual incomeHigh school
$32,903 median annual incomeBachelor
$41,755 median annual incomeApprenticeship
$34,807 median annual incomeLess than high school
$23,174 median annual incomeEducation & training
Administrative assistant and secretarial science - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that generally prepares individuals to perform the duties of administrative assistants and/or secretaries and stenographers. These programs include courses in business communications, principles of business law, word processing and data entry, office machines operation and maintenance, office procedures, public relations, secretarial accounting, filing systems and records management, and report preparation.
Institutions providing this program
315 Jamieson Street
Sydney, NS B1N 2P7
(902) 564-2222
6960 Mumford Road, Suite 155-1st Floor Mumford Professional Centre
Halifax, NS B3L 4P1
(902) 455-3395
721 Alexandra Street
Sydney, NS B1S 2H4
(902) 564-6112
222 George Street, Suite C
Sydney, NS B1P 1J3
(866) 446-5898
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 550, 1 Main Street
Springhill, NS B0M 1X0
(902) 597-3737
372 Pleasant Street
Yarmouth, NS B5A 2L2
(902) 742-3501
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS B4N 0A6
(902) 678-7341
PO Box 820, 39 Acadia Avenue
Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0
(902) 752-2002
226 Reeves Street
Port Hawkesbury, NS B9A 2A2
(902) 625-2380
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Unit 37, 115 Chain Lake Drive
Halifax, NS B3S 1B3
(877) 491-6774
45 Alderney Drive
Dartmouth, NS B1N 2P7
(902) 706-5529
Adult high school/secondary diploma programs
This program is typically offered at the high school level.The Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) administers, coordinates, and supports the development and delivery of adult education programs through learning partners in Nova Scotia. Our learning partners include the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations that offer tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED, empowering Nova Scotians to achieve their learning and employment goals.
Institutions providing this program
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 220
Halifax, NS B3J 2M4
(866) 679-6722
Various, NS
Various, NS
Business administration and management - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that generally prepares individuals to plan, organize, direct, and control the functions and processes of a firm or organization. These programs include courses in management theory, human resources management and behaviour, accounting and other quantitative methods, purchasing and logistics, organization and production, marketing, and business decision-making.
Institutions providing this program
800 Sackville Drive
Lower Sackville, NS B4E 1R8
(902) 463-6700
6960 Mumford Road, Suite 155-1st Floor Mumford Professional Centre
Halifax, NS B3L 4P1
(902) 455-3395
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
50 Elliott Road
Middleton, NS B0S 1M0
(902) 825-3491
PO Box 550, 1 Main Street
Springhill, NS B0M 1X0
(902) 597-3737
372 Pleasant Street
Yarmouth, NS B5A 2L2
(902) 742-3501
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS B4N 0A6
(902) 678-7341
75 High Street
Bridgewater, NS B4V 1V8
(902) 543-4608
PO Box 820, 39 Acadia Avenue
Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0
(902) 752-2002
226 Reeves Street
Port Hawkesbury, NS B9A 2A2
(902) 625-2380
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
36 Arthur Street
Truro, NS B2N 1X5
(902) 893-5385
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Unit 37, 115 Chain Lake Drive
Halifax, NS B3S 1B3
(877) 491-6774
Business/commerce - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the general study of business, including the processes of interchanging goods and services (buying, selling and producing), business organization, and accounting as used in profit-making and non-profit public and private institutions and agencies. The program prepares individuals to apply business principles and techniques in various occupational settings.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS B3H 2A1
(902) 422-1271
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
General office occupations and clerical services
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to provide basic administrative support under the supervision of office managers, administrative assistants, secretaries, and other office personnel. These programs include courses in typing, keyboarding, filing, general business correspondence, office equipment operation, and communications skills.
Institutions providing this program
6960 Mumford Road, Suite 155-1st Floor Mumford Professional Centre
Halifax, NS B3L 4P1
(902) 455-3395
222 George Street, Suite C
Sydney, NS B1P 1J3
(866) 446-5898
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
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