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Word Processors and Typists Occupation Detailed Description

Word Processors and Typists career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Word Processors and Typists

The main tasks and work activities of Word Processors and Typists are to proofread documents, records, or other files to ensure accuracy, distribute incoming mail, answer telephones to direct calls or provide information, sort mail. In general, for the Word Processors and Typists, reading Comprehension, writing, active Listening, time Management and other 3 skills are required.
Word Processors and Typists Job Description
EducationThese occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related ExperienceSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Word Processors and Typists jobs. 49.61% of Word Processors and Typists have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 3.9968028886506E-15% of Word Processors and Typists have Bachelor's Degree and Above.
Less than a High School Diploma
1.96%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
49.61%
Post-Secondary Certificate
0.00%
Some College Courses
45.45%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
2.98%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
0.00%

Tasks and Work Activities of Word Processors and Typists

  • Check completed work for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and format.
  • Perform other clerical duties such as answering telephone, sorting and distributing mail, running errands or sending faxes.
  • Gather, register, and arrange the material to be typed, following instructions.
  • Type correspondence, reports, text and other written material from rough drafts, corrected copies, voice recordings, dictation or previous versions, using a computer, word processor, or typewriter.
  • File and store completed documents on computer hard drive or disk, or maintain a computer filing system to store, retrieve, update and delete documents.
  • Print and make copies of work.
  • Keep records of work performed.
  • Compute and verify totals on report forms, requisitions, or bills, using adding machine or calculator.
  • Collate pages of reports and other documents prepared.
  • Electronically sort and compile text and numerical data, retrieving, updating, and merging documents as required.
  • Reformat documents, moving paragraphs or columns.
  • Search for specific sets of stored, typed characters to make changes.
  • Adjust settings for format, page layout, line spacing, and other style requirements.
  • Address envelopes or prepare envelope labels, using typewriter or computer.
  • Operate and resupply printers and computers, changing print wheels or fluid cartridges, adding paper, and loading blank tapes, cards, or disks into equipment.
  • Transmit work electronically to other locations.
  • Work with technical material, preparing statistical reports, planning and typing statistical tables, and combining and rearranging material from different sources.
  • Use data entry devices, such as optical scanners, to input data into computers for revision or editing.
  • Transcribe stenotyped notes of court proceedings.
  • Manage schedules and set dates, times, and locations for meetings and appointments.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Performing Administrative ActivitiesPerforming day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside OrganizationCommunicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Proofread documents, records, or other files to ensure accuracy.
  • Distribute incoming mail.
  • Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information.
  • Sort mail.
  • Compile data or documentation.
  • Type documents.
  • Store records or related materials.
  • Operate office equipment.
  • Maintain operational records.
  • Verify accuracy of financial or transactional data.
  • Calculate financial data.
  • Format digital documents, data, or images.
  • Maintain office equipment in proper operating condition.
  • Operate computers or computerized equipment.
  • Prepare research or technical reports.
  • Enter information into databases or software programs.
  • Record information from meetings or other formal proceedings.
  • Transcribe spoken or written information.
  • Schedule appointments.

Skills and Abilities for Word Processors and Typists

  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Wrist-Finger SpeedThe ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Photocopierse.g. Copy machines
  • Desktop calculatore.g. Desktop calculators
  • Typewriterse.g. Electric typewriters
  • Laser fax machinee.g. Laser facsimile machines
  • Paper shredding machines or accessoriese.g. Paper shredders
  • Personal computerse.g. Personal computers
  • Franking or postage machinese.g. Postage marking machines
  • Franking or postage machinese.g. Postage meters
  • ClericalKnowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.