Electorate Officers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Electorate Officers manage the electorate office of a politician, and liaise with constituents and the media on their behalf.
Tasks
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Liaises with other staff, government departments and members of the constituency on matters relating to the electorate and any portfolios or committees the member of parliament may be part of and other areas of general concern.
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Researches and prepares reports, briefing notes, memoranda, correspondence and other routine documents.
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Maintains confidential files and documents.
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Attends meetings and acts as secretary as required.
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Maintains appointment diaries and makes travel arrangements.
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Processes incoming and outgoing mail, filing correspondence and maintains records.
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Screens telephone calls and answers inquiries.
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Takes and transcribes dictation of letters and other documents.
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May supervise other secretarial and clerical staff.
Characteristics
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University
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Administrative
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Enterprising
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Sedentary
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Other Information and Organisation Professionals, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 72% of people employed as Electorate Officers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 6 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 45 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Electorate Officers work in the Public administration and safety industry.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Electorate Officers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 22.5 | 31.6 |
VIC | 27.1 | 25.6 |
QLD | 15.8 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.3 | 7.0 |
WA | 11.2 | 10.8 |
TAS | 5.6 | 2.0 |
NT | 2.9 | 1.0 |
ACT | 7.7 | 1.9 |
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Around 69% of Electorate Officers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
The Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Electorate Officers is 38 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 60% of the workforce. This is 12 percentage points above the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Electorate Officers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 1.8 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 12.6 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 29.3 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 18.5 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 18.1 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 8.3 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 5.6 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 5.8 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 38 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as an Electorate Officer. Although some workers have a university degree or a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in politics, local government administration or other relevant field.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Gas Industry VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Electorate Officers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 18.2 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 39.0 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 8.5 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 6.7 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 19.4 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 3.1 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 5.1 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Other Information and Organisation Professionals who work well in a team, can communicate clearly and are reliable.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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52%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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52%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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48%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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45%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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43%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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43%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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39%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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39%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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39%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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37%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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36%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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36%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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32%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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32%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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32%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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32%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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30%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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30%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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30%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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27%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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86%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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62%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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52%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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47%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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40%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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31%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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31%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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30%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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30%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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29%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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25%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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22%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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17%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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17%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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16%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
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14%
Philosophy and theologyPhilosophical systems and religions, including their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and impact on society.
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13%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
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12%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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12%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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8%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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54%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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50%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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46%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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46%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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46%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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45%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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43%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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43%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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41%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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41%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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41%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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37%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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37%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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37%
Working with numbersAdd, subtract, multiply, or divide.
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37%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
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37%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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34%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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34%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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34%
MultitaskingDo two or more things at the same time.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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68%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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62%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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56%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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54%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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49%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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48%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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45%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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45%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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44%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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44%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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43%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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42%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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42%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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41%
Providing office supportDoing day-to-day office work such as filing and processing paperwork.
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39%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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35%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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34%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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33%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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29%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
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28%
Managing payments and ordersMonitoring and controlling resources and the spending of money.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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62%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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52%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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52%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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24%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
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81%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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62%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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38%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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36%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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33%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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33%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
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96%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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96%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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94%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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90%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
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90%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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89%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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89%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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89%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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88%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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84%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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81%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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77%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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77%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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76%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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70%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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69%
Angry or unpleasant peopleDeal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.
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67%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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67%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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66%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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63%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 43-9061.00 - Office Clerks, General.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.