Top Clerical Support Skills to Include in Your Resume (With Examples)

Why Clerical Support Skills Matter in a Resume

In today’s competitive job market, employers seek candidates who can not only perform routine tasks efficiently but also adapt to evolving office technologies and workplace dynamics. Clerical support requires a unique combination of technical proficiency and interpersonal aptitude to handle data entry, document management, customer interactions, and more. Including the best skills to put on resume tailored to clerical duties signals to recruiters that you possess the essential competencies for the role. Well-articulated skills in resume sample sections help optimize your candidacy and improve your chances of landing interviews.

1. Hard Skills for Resume

Hard skills for resume are the measurable and technical abilities gained through training or experience. In Clerical Support, these skills relate to software proficiency, data management, and administrative procedures that enable you to perform job-specific tasks accurately and efficiently.

Essential Hard Skills

• Data Entry Accuracy
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Document Management Systems (DMS)
• Telephone and Email Correspondence
• Scheduling and Calendar Management
• Filing and Record Keeping
• Basic Bookkeeping
• Typing Speed and Accuracy
• Office Equipment Operation (fax, photocopier, scanner)
• CRM Software Usage

2. Soft Skills for CV

Soft skills for CV are the interpersonal and organizational traits that enable you to work well within a team, adapt to challenges, and provide excellent service. These professional skills for resume complement hard skills and contribute to a positive workplace environment.

Key Soft Skills

• Effective Communication
• Attention to Detail
• Time Management
• Problem-Solving
• Organizational Skills
• Adaptability
• Team Collaboration
• Confidentiality and Discretion

3. List of Clerical Support Skills

Understanding the broad spectrum of clerical support skills in resume can help you tailor your CV for specific job descriptions. Below is a categorized list of the top skills to write in resume for clerical positions.

Analytical & Strategic

• Data Verification
• Record Auditing
• Process Improvement

Technical & Development

• Advanced Excel Functions (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP)
• Database Management
• Document Digitization

Product Delivery & Process

• Efficient Workflow Coordination
• Task Prioritization
• Inventory Control

Leadership & Communication

• Client Relationship Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Cross-Departmental Liaison

Emerging / Modern Skills

• Cloud-Based Collaboration Tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams)
• Basic Knowledge of Automation Software (e.g., Zapier, Microsoft Power Automate)
• Cybersecurity Awareness

4. How to Showcase Clerical Support Skills

a. Integrate Skills

Rather than listing skills randomly, weave them naturally throughout your resume in the professional summary, work experience, and skills sections. Demonstrate how your skills have contributed to your achievements and responsibilities.

• Describe how you used Microsoft Excel to streamline data reports.
• Mention your role in managing scheduling and how it improved office efficiency.

b. Quantify Achievements

Numbers speak louder than words. Use quantifiable data to highlight your impact, such as the number of documents processed daily or percentage improvements in filing accuracy.

c. Tailor Skills

Customize your resume skills examples based on the job description. Highlight the most relevant hard skills for resume and soft skills for CV that an employer is seeking to increase your chances of passing ATS screening and catching a recruiter's eye.

d. Add “Key Skills” Section

e. Include Tools & Certifications

Listing certifications such as Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) or courses in data entry software signals your commitment to professional development. Including knowledge of specific tools like CRM systems or document management software adds valuable context.

5. Skills in Resume Sample

6. Best Skills by Industry

• Healthcare: Medical records management, HIPAA compliance, appointment scheduling, patient communication.
• Finance & Banking: Data accuracy, financial documentation, confidentiality, Excel for financial reports.
• Legal: Case file management, legal terminology familiarity, confidential correspondence, calendar tracking.
• Education: Student record keeping, data entry, communication with parents and staff, event coordination.

7. Emerging Clerical Support Skills

As workplaces evolve with technology, new skills are becoming essential for clerical support professionals to stay competitive and efficient.

• Proficiency in Virtual Collaboration Tools (Zoom, Slack)
• Basic Understanding of Data Privacy Regulations (GDPR, CCPA)
• Familiarity with AI-Based Automation for Administrative Tasks
• Remote Work Adaptability and Self-Motivation
• Digital Filing Systems and Cloud Storage Management

Conclusion

Highlighting the right combination of hard skills for resume and soft skills for CV in your clerical support resume is crucial to capture the attention of hiring managers and recruiters. By carefully selecting the key skills for Clerical Support resume, tailoring them for each application, and demonstrating concrete examples of your capabilities, you position yourself as a valuable professional candidate. Don’t forget to keep learning emerging skills that modernize your portfolio and increase your marketability.