Order Clerks

Order clerks take and process orders for materials, merchandise, and services.

Order clerks take orders via several means such as phone, fax, and internet. They check that products are in stock and ensure that the order gets processed efficiently.

Order Clerks are in the Marketing, Sales, and Service career cluster and the Merchandising pathway.

Quick Facts

Source: Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and CareerOneStop.

Wages & Outlook

Wages

Salaries of order clerks vary. Region of the country, size of the city, and the type and size of employer all affect wages. The level of industry or technical knowledge required may also affect salary.

In addition to their salary, order clerks receive benefits. Sick leave, vacation, health insurance, and retirement plans are common.

View the Regional Wage Comparison Chart for:

• Procurement Clerks
• Order Clerks

 

Employment

In Minnesota, about 6,068 order clerks work in this medium-sized occupation.

Order clerks work in almost every industry.

Major employers:

• Internet and mail-order companies
• Courier services
• Wholesale trade companies

Outlook

As the population grows, more orders for goods and services will be placed. This should increase the demand for order clerks. However, this demand will be balanced out by the productivity gains from using computers. Demand for outside order clerks who deal with the public should remain fairly strong. The greater use of toll-free numbers and the Internet that makes "home shopping" easier will stimulate demand for these workers.

Demand for inside order clerks will be much weaker, however. Electronic data interchange is a system that allows computers to communicate directly with each other. This system allows orders between businesses to be placed with little human involvement. Other types of automation should also reduce the demand for order clerks. Inventory control and automatic billing systems allow companies to track inventory and accounts with less help from clerks. An increasing number of companies receive orders via the Internet. Thus, order clerks are not even involved in some orders. Some companies use automated menus that can be accessed with a touch-tone phone to receive orders. Developments in voice recognition technology may further reduce the demand for order clerks.

Despite the slow growth, many jobs will be available as current order clerks move to other occupations or retire. Many of these openings will be for seasonal work, especially in catalog companies or online retailers that sell to holiday gift buyers.

Employment Outlook for Order Clerks

	Employment		Employment Change
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
U S	212,100	227,900	15,700	7.4%
Minnesota	4,087	4,163	76	1.9%
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
Central Minnesota	327	376	49	15%
Northeast Minnesota	209	205	-4	-1.9%
Northwest Minnesota	329	369	40	12.2%
Southeast Minnesota	205	219	14	6.8%
Southwest Minnesota	122	127	5	4.1%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN	2,823	2,799	-24	-0.9%

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.

On the Job

Overview

Order clerks take and process orders for materials, merchandise, and services.


There are hundreds of light bulb jokes. These always begin, "How many X does it take to screw in a light bulb?" There are light bulb jokes that poke fun at bureaucrats, doctors, politicians, and so on. You name it, there's a light bulb joke for it. There is even one for order clerks - one to take the order, one to complete the requisition form, one to process the order. . . Didn't think that one was very funny? Well, it's not. Truthfully, order clerks are usually quite efficient at their jobs.Order clerks receive orders by telephone. They enter information in computers as customers place their orders. First, clerks ask customers for specific information, such as their name, address, and credit card or account number. Then they ask customers for the product number and number of items they wish to purchase. As clerks enter the order, the computer tells them if the products are in stock and how much they cost. If items are back-ordered, clerks tell customers the expected arrival date. If customers cannot wait for items to arrive, clerks suggest similar products. Clerks who take orders from businesses rather than individuals occasionally give price estimates for entire jobs, not just single items. Once orders are placed, clerks route them to the departments that will send out or deliver the ordered items. In addition to their other duties, order clerks also listen to and resolve customers' complaints. Order clerks are also called order-entry clerks, order processors, or order takers.

Order clerks also receive orders by regular mail, e-mail, fax, and the Internet. Clerks review orders for completeness. If information is missing or cannot be read, clerks call the customer. In addition, clerks contact customers if they request information about shipping dates or prices. Once orders are complete, clerks remove the checks and money orders, sort them, and send them on for processing. Finally, clerks enter all this information into the computer.

In organizations that use computer systems, inventory records are adjusted automatically as sales are made. In less automated organizations, order clerks adjust inventory records. For example, a clerk takes an order for bolts. The clerk then verifies that the bolts are sent and subtracts the order from the inventory control form. These clerks also notify other departments when inventories are low or when orders will use up supplies. In addition, they prepare invoices and shipping documents to make sure they are filed correctly. They may also create reports for management about past orders.

Some order clerks examine orders before they are shipped. They compare the items in boxes against the packing lists. When they find incomplete or incorrect orders, clerks send them back for correction. Clerks may also track down missing and late merchandise. They talk to shippers or coworkers in the shipping room to find the boxes. Sometimes they ask coworkers to rush special orders.

Work Activities

The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.

• Receive orders by phone, fax, regular mail, e-mail, and the Internet.
• Determine if ordered items are available.
• Enter order information into computer.
• Calculate final cost of ordered items or services.
• Review orders for completeness and get missing information.
• Contact customers and give information, such as shipping dates and prices.
• Verify customer information.
• Receive and handle customer complaints.
• Try to sell additional products or services to customers.
• Prepare invoices and shipping documents.
• Give orders to the department that will send out or deliver the ordered items.
• Make sure shipments match customers' orders.
• Check inventory and update records.
• Notify other departments when orders will use up supplies.
• Talk with other workers to speed up processing of delayed shipments and to locate missing items.
• File copies of orders received.
• Remove, sort, and process checks and money orders received by mail.
• Suggest similar products if items ordered are not available.
• Recommend type of packing or labeling order needs.
• Prepare reports for management.

People in this career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common to many occupations.

• Use computers.
• Get information needed to do the job.
• Establish and maintain relationships.
• Identify objects, actions, and events.
• Perform administrative tasks.
• Process information.
• Update and use job-related knowledge.
• Communicate with people from outside the organization.
• Document and record information.
• Make decisions and solve problems.
• Analyze data or information.
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates.
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others.
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work.

Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

Interpersonal Relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They work closely with customers and coworkers most of the time.
• Often deal with unpleasant or angry customers. Order clerks must receive and handle customer complaints.
• Are placed in conflict situations on a weekly basis.
• Are responsible for coworkers' health and safety.
• Communicate with customers and coworkers daily by telephone.
• Often communicate with customers and coworkers in person and by e-mail.
• Write letters and memos on a monthly basis.
• Work in a group or as part of a team.

Physical Work Conditions

• Almost always work indoors.
• Are often exposed to contaminants when receiving and sorting orders from the mail.
• Often are exposed to very hot or cold temperatures. This can occur if they work in a warehouse.
• Work near their coworkers. They may share their work space, which can sometimes expose them to sounds and noise levels that are distracting.

Work Performance

• Must be exact in their work so that customers receive their entire order.
• Repeat the same physical activities, such as entering order information into the computer.
• Regularly make decisions that affect customers.
• Are usually able to make decisions and determine tasks without talking to a supervisor.
• Must sometimes meet strict deadlines.

Hours/Travel

• Usually work 40 hours per week.
• May work nights, weekends, and holidays, especially if working as a catalog order clerk.
• May work overtime during busy periods, especially around the winter holidays.

Physical Demands

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

People in this career frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for people in this career to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for people in this career to be able to:

• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Education & Training

Preparation

To work as an order clerk, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or GED; and
• complete short-term on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Formal education beyond high school is not required for most order clerks. However, construction supply and other businesses that require specific knowledge are more likely to require a college degree.

On-the-job training

Order clerks usually learn their skills on the job. You work with an experienced clerk who teaches you routine tasks and the computer system. As you gain experience, you work on more difficult tasks. Training generally lasts up to one month.

Related Programs (Current training programs available)

• General Office Occupations and Clerical Services

Fields of Study (What to study to prepare for this career)

Click on any of the Fields of Study listed below to find out more about preparing for this career.

• Data Entry and Processing
• Office Support

Helpful High School Courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this occupation include:

• Computer Applications
• Keyboarding
• Office Procedures

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Skills

People in this career need to:

Communicate

• Listen to others, understand, and ask questions.
• Express ideas clearly when speaking or writing.
• Read and understand written information.

Reason and Problem Solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Make sense of information by studying it.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Develop rules or follow guidelines for arranging items.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.

Use Math and Science

• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.
• Use math skills to solve problems.

Manage Oneself, People, Time and Things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with People

• Look for ways to help people.
• Be aware of others' reactions and change behavior in relation to them.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.

Perceive and Visualize

• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Knowledge

People in this career need knowledge in the following areas:

• Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of providing special services to customers based on their needs.
• Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of advertising and selling products and services.
• Clerical: Knowledge of general office work such as filing and recording information.
• Mathematics: Knowledge of the rules and uses of numbers. Areas of knowledge include arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and statistics.
• Administration and Management: Knowledge of managing the operations of a business, company, or group.
• Production and Processing: Knowledge of how products are made and supplied.

Interests

People in this career are people who tend to:

• Consider support from their employer important. They like to be treated fairly and have supervisors who will back them up. They prefer jobs where they are trained well.
• Have conventional interests. They like work activities that follow set procedures, routines, and standards. They like to work with data and detail. They prefer working where there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• Have enterprising interests. They like work activities that involve starting up and carrying out projects, especially in business. They like to lead and persuade others, make decisions, and take risks for profit.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Licensing / Certification

Certification Details

Certifications are examinations that test or enhance your knowledge, experience or skills in an occupation or profession.

There are 2 certifications related to this career.

Licensing Details

No State of Minnesota license requirements are found for this career.

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and CareerOneStop.

Jobs

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Hiring Practices

Employers prefer applicants who have a high school diploma or GED. They also prefer applicants who know how to use computers.

Employers look for applicants who get along well with others and have a pleasant phone personality.

Some employers will hire order clerks who do not have any experience. Other employers prefer to hire order clerks who have five to six years of experience.

Advancement Opportunities

Experienced order clerks may be promoted to supervisory positions. Those who have good sales skills may become sales representatives. Additional training, such as home-study or group-study courses, can also be helpful in preparing for promotion.

Job Title Examples

Hub Associate,  Materials Scheduler,  Order Analyst,  Order Entry Administrator,  Order Entry Representative,  Administrative Assistant,  Warehouse Clerk,  Customer Service Representative 

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Related Industries

Below are industries related to Order Clerks you may be interested in reading about. Employers in these industries typically hire Order Clerks. Click on the names to link to their industry profile.

Building And Garden Supply Stores
Business Management And Support Services
Couriers And Messengers
Department Stores And Other Retailers
Electronics And Appliance Stores
Information And Internet Services
Motor Vehicle And Parts Dealers
Paper Products
Printing
Publishing And Broadcasting
Rental And Leasing Services
Sports, Books, And Music Stores
Telecommunications
Transportation Support And Warehousing
Utilities
Wholesale Trade

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.