Jordan Said:

Career aptitude test?

We Answered:

There are tests like that online. Google it.

Jeanne Said:

If you've taken a career aptitude test?

We Answered:

The test was quite accurate./

Bryan Said:

I took an aptitude test and it said I have a high clerical aptitude. What kind of careers does that include?

We Answered:

It really depends. It could include a lot. I'll suggest a few things, and you can see if any of those careers appeal to you:

Administrative assistant, executive assistant, marketing assistant, sales operations, paralegal, accounting, bookkeeping, office manager, building manager, facilities manager, receptionist, accounts payables clerk, accounts receivables clerk... These are all jobs that involve a lot of organization, attention to detail, and other skills that typically fall under the idea of "clerical".

Which field you pick depends on your own personal interests. Some of these are in great demand and can be lucrative. Executive assistant, for example - if you're the exec asst. to the CEO of a company, you could be making $75k+ and have huge responsibility. Accountants are in constant demand and the pay is good - and accountants are being hired even today, in the recession.

The classes required depend on the career you pick. A receptionist doesn't even normally require college, although it can really help if you've gone to a community college and gotten a certificate in administrative assistant or office technologies or similar. An accountant requires a bachelors degree in accounting. First, look at each career and decide which appeal to you the most. Then, learn what education is required to enter the field. You're then ready to take your first steps.

Just to add: there are also jobs that aren't obviously "clerical", but which require the same skills that someone who's good at clerical would require. That's why I listed accounting - it's not that accountants are necessarily clerical workers, but if you're good at clerical skills, you may be a good fit for accounting as well. Legal work is similar. You could be a paralegal, which is kind of clerical; or a legal secretary, which is absolutely clerical. But which fits you, personally? Legal secretary, or paralegal? That's up to you.