It’s no secret that the job market is tough. And it’s especially tough for high school graduates who don’t have a lot of experience. But there are office jobs out there for those who are willing to look for them. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best office jobs for high school graduates.
- Data entry clerk
- Blog Writer
- Customer service representative
- Office clerk
- Call center agent
- Bank teller
- Administrative assistant
Data entry clerk
Median salary in the United States:
Expected Job Growth:
Decline over the next decade as automation increases
Job Description:
A data entry clerk is a member of staff employed to enter or update data into a computer system. Data entry clerks may be required to verify the accuracy of work and correct errors.
High school graduates who are looking for jobs that pay well may want to consider becoming a data entry clerk. Data entry jobs are often entry-level positions, so they can be a good way to get your foot in the door at a company. As far as jobs for high school graduates, this is one that offers flexibility and promotion opportunities to support your future career.
Skills Needed:
- Basic computer skills
- Data entry accuracy
- Speed and efficiency
- Attention to detail
- Good organizational skills
Where to get training:
Some jobs may require formal training, but many will have speed tests or other assessments as part of the hiring process.
Blog Writer
Median salary in the United States:
Expected Job Growth:
Faster than average
Job Description:
A blog writer researches and writes original content for an online publication. They often write about topics that are related to the company’s industry, such as new product releases or tips for using the company’s products.
Skills Needed:
- Excellent writing skills
- Knowledge of search engine optimization
- Attention to detail
- Ability to work with a team
Where to get training:
There are a variety of ways to get training including online courses, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training opportunities.
Customer service representative
Median salary in the United States:
Expected job growth:
Little to no Change
Job description:
A customer service representative helps customers with complaints and questions, gives instructions on how to use products or services, and takes orders. They may work in businesses such as stores, hotels, or restaurants. Some customer service representatives work in call centers.
Skills needed:
- Active listening
- Interacting with customers
- Written professional communication
- Critical thinking
- Social perceptiveness
High school graduates with good communication skills may be able to find jobs as customer service representatives. Customer service jobs can be found in many industries, and the median salary for this position may vary depending on the industry.
Where to get training:
Customer service representatives should have a high school diploma. Most employers may provide on-the-job training, but this will be mostly focused on procedures and policies.
In order to get training on customer service skills, individuals can look into taking courses online or at a local college. There are many customer service-specific programs that may help job seekers stand out to potential employers.
For jobs that require handling customer complaints, it may be helpful to have experience or training in conflict resolution.
Office clerk
Median salary in the United States:
Expected Job Growth:
2% Decline between 2020 – 2030
Job Description:
Office clerks perform a variety of administrative tasks, including answering phones, typing documents, and filing. They might also maintain schedules, customer records, and inventory.
Skills Needed:
- Customer service
- Data entry
- Typing
- Professional communication
Where to get training:
Office clerk jobs typically require a high school diploma. However, some jobs might require postsecondary education, such as a certificate or associate’s degree in office administration or a related field. Many employers also provide on-the-job training for new office clerks.
Call center agent
Median salary in the United States:
Expected Job Growth:
Little or no change
Job Description:
A call center agent is a customer service representative who answers customer questions and resolves customer complaints over the phone.
Skills Needed:
- Ability to work under pressure
- Good memory
- Excellent customer service skills
- Patience
Where to get training:
Call center agent positions typically do not require additional training to apply. However, for your job application to stand out, short-term customer service training courses are typically recommended. Unlike a university degree, these programs are typically low-cost, short-term, and designed to get you quickly started in the customer service field.
These jobs are great for high school graduates, but you may want to get training on how to handle difficult customers – to avoid burnout and get ahead in your career.
Product demonstrator or brand ambassador
Median salary in the United States:
Expected Job Growth:
About 5% over the next decade
Job Description:
A product demonstrator or brand ambassador is responsible for representing a company and its products in a positive light to potential customers. They may be required to give demonstrations, answer questions, and promote the product in various ways.
These positions often require quite a bit of travel and may be ideal for those who enjoy meeting new people and working in a fast-paced environment.
Skills Needed:
- Good people skills
- Outgoing personality
- Ability to work independently
- Reliable transportation
Where to get training:
To become a product demonstrator or brand ambassador, you will typically need at least a high school diploma. Some jobs may require additional training or experience. For example, jobs that involve handling medical devices or other sensitive products may require certification.
Most of these positions, however, will involve you going through a few weeks of product education and training. This includes learning about the product, its features and benefits, as well as how to properly give demonstrations.
You will also likely receive sales training so that you can be prepared to answer any questions potential customers may have.
Gaining customer service training prior to starting this job can help you earn more as a high school graduate. Many of these positions are based on commission, so the better you can work with customers, the more sales you are able to make, and the more money you will earn!
Bank teller
Median salary in the United States:
Expected Job Growth:
Decline over time as automation increases
Job Description:
A bank teller is responsible for providing customer service and conducting transactions at a bank. They may also be responsible for answering customer inquiries, counting money, and balancing cash drawers.
Skills Needed:
- Customer service skills
- Basic math skills
- Ability to pay attention to detail
Where to get training:
Much of what you do as a bank teller will involve customer service skills. That is why it is recommended – though not required – to complete a short-term training program on customer service. This shows employers that you have the basic skills needed for the job and that you’ve taken the time to learn more about how to provide excellent customer service.
Administrative assistant
Median salary in the United States:
Expected Job Growth:
Decline over time due to automation
(However, many of these positions may transfer to virtual assistants – meaning you can do the same job from the comfort of your home!)
Job Description:
An administrative assistant helps with the daily operations of a business. They might do anything from answering customer questions to scheduling appointments.
If you have good organizational skills and don’t mind working behind the scenes, an administrative assistant job might be a good fit for you.
Skills Needed:
- Communication skills
- Organization
- Time management
- Customer service skills
- Data entry
Where to get training:
Many of these jobs require no formal education beyond a high school diploma, although some may prefer candidates with an associate degree or postsecondary certificate.
Since this career offers many routes for promotion into higher positions, it is important to start off with a solid foundation and let your prospective employer know you take this position seriously. That is why customer service training is recommended for these positions. The good news is that there are many online, short-term, and reasonably priced options out there.
Do any of these jobs appeal to you?
At CustomersFirst Academy, it is our mission to prepare you for your future career. Unlike a university program, though, our training is designed to get you career-ready in less than one week and at an affordable price. Let’s get you out into the workforce! Start our comprehensive training today!
