Foreign language correspondence clerk

Foreign language correspondence clerks read and reply to a company’s correspondence in foreign languages. They also perform clerical duties.

The following job titles also refer to foreign language correspondence clerk:

foreign language correspondence officer
foreign language correspondence assistant
foreign correspondent assistant
foreign language correspondence secretary
foreign language correspondent clerk
foreign correspondent secretary
foreign correspondence clerk

An associate’s degree in foreign language studies or equivalent is generally the minimum required to work as a foreign language correspondence clerk. Any certification in a foreign language is also recommended.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Foreign language correspondence clerk is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to foreign language correspondence clerk.

secretary
office clerk
proofreader
receptionist
investment clerk

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of foreign language correspondence clerk. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of foreign language correspondence clerk with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

administrative assistant
court reporter
scopist
management assistant
executive assistant

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of foreign language correspondence clerk.

• Spelling: The rules concerning the way words are spelled.
• Grammar: The set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language.
• Company policies: The set of rules that govern the activity of a company.

These skills are necessary for the role of foreign language correspondence clerk.

• Translate foreign language: Translate words, sentences, and concepts from a foreign language into your mother tongue or another foreign language.
• Speak different languages: Master foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.
• Master language rules: Master the techniques and practices of the languages to be translated. This includes both your own native language, as well as foreign languages. Be familiar with applicable standards and rules and identify the proper expressions and words to use.
• Communicate commercial and technical issues in foreign languages: Speak one or more foreign languages in order to communicate commercial and technical issues with various suppliers and clients.
• Apply grammar and spelling rules: Apply the rules of spelling and grammar and ensure consistency throughout texts.
• Ensure proper document management: Guarantee that the tracking and recording standards and rules for document management are followed, such as ensuring that changes are identified, that documents remain readable and that obsoleted documents are not used.
• Translate language concepts: Translate one language into another language. Match words and expressions with their corresponding brothers in other languages, while making sure that the message and nuances of the original text are preserved.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of foreign language correspondence clerk. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Disseminate internal communications: Disseminate internal communications using the different communication channels that a company has at its disposal.
• File documents: Create a filing system. Write a document catalogue. Label documents etc.
• Organise business documents: Put together documents coming from the photocopier, the mail, or the daily operations of businesses.
• Use office systems: Make appropriate and timely use of office systems used in business facilities depending on the aim, whether for the collection of messages, client information storage, or agenda scheduling. It includes administration of systems such as customer relationship management, vendor management, storage, and voicemail systems.
• Handle mail: Handle mail considering data protection issues, health and safety requirements, and specifications of different kinds of mail.
• Perform office routine activities: Program, prepare, and perform activities required to be performed everyday in offices such as mailing, receiving supplies, updating managers and employees, and keeping operations running smoothly.
• Communicate by telephone: Liaise via telephone by making and answering calls in a timely, professional and polite manner.
• Deliver correspondence: Distribute mail correspondence, newspapers, packages and private messages to customers.
• Draft corporate emails: Prepare, compile, and write mails with the adequate information and an appropriate language to make internal or external communications.
• Liaise with managers: Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.

4419 – Clerical support workers not elsewhere classified

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References

1. Foreign language correspondence clerk – ESCO