Stock Clerks

Employers

More than 2.8 million people work as stock clerks and order fillers. Nearly 64 percent work for retail trade businesses; almost 10 percent work in wholesale firms; and the remainder work in manufacturing plants, hospitals, factories, government agencies, and other organizations. Nearly all sales-floor stock clerks are employed in retail establishments, especially supermarkets and department stores.

Starting Out

Job openings for stock clerks often are listed in newspaper and online classified ads. Job seekers should contact the personnel office of the firm looking for stock clerks and fill out an application for employment. School career services offices, parents, relatives, and friends also can be good sources for job leads and may be able to give personal references if an employer requires them.

Stock clerks usually receive on-the-job training. New workers start with simple tasks, such as counting and marking stock. The basic responsibilities of the job are usually learned within the first few weeks. As they progress, stock clerks learn to keep records of incoming and outgoing materials, take inventories, and place orders. As wholesale and warehousing establishments convert to automated inventory systems, stock clerks need to be trained to use the new equipment. Stock clerks who bring merchandise to the sales floor and stock shelves and sales racks need little training.