To become a file clerk, you will typically need to get a job working in an office so that you can be trained in the use and management of its filing system. As a general rule, file clerks learn their work through their employment, though changes in technology may require you to learn different types of computer software as well as various methods of storing and retrieving pertinent information. You may also benefit from taking courses in office technology as well as courses that can improve your understanding of the industry in which you work. In some cases, you will be expected to maintain high standards of confidentiality and to enforce security protocols.
Given the proliferation of computer systems in many offices, the opportunity to work with hard-copy files may be declining in many areas. While some companies and offices may maintain some hard copy records, many are transferring their paper records to digital media. If you wish to become a file clerk in such an office, you will typically need to demonstrate the ability to scan documents and manage them such that they can be easily located. You may also need experience in training in the management of databases.
Many high schools, trade schools, and community colleges offer training in office administration. While you may not need to complete a degree or certificate from one of these programs to become a file clerk, some employers may look favorably on your having formal education in these areas. In addition to training in various clerical duties, being familiar with the vocabulary of the industry in which your employer operates can be extremely helpful in the development of a cohesive filing and information storage system. You may not be asked to actually design such a system, but having a good knowledge of the information that you store can help you more effectively label and retrieve the information at a later date.
In many cases, files hold sensitive information. If you work as a medical file clerk, for example, the files you manage may contain sensitive medical information. Similarly, files in the law office can contain extremely sensitive material about clients' personal, legal, and financial lives. For this reason, many employers may insist that you pass a background check before you become a file clerk in their office. In addition, you may be required to undergo training in confidentiality issues, as well as in the proper handling and disposal of files to protect the information they contain.
