Interviewing clerks ask people questions to obtain information.

Interviewing clerks contact people at home, work, or at a field location, such as a shopping mall. To contact people, clerks use telephones, mail, or visit them in person. Clerks explain the reasons that they need the information. They ask people questions to get the necessary information. If people don't understand the question, they rephrase it. They may help people fill out applications, insurance forms, or questionnaires. Clerks record the results from the interview or survey.

After the interview, clerks compile and sort the data. They also review it to correct errors. Clerks file the information or forward it to others in the organization, including supervisors.

The type of information interviewing clerks request depends on the setting in which they work. For example, in a health care setting, they ask for the patient's name and address (and in this case, they are often called admitting clerks). They also gather patients' age, medical history, insurance provider, and similar information. They often verify with insurance companies that a patient is covered. Those who work for research firms ask a set of prepared questions about a variety of topics.

Interviewing clerks may perform other clerical duties, such as:

• Answering the phone
• Filing papers
• Documenting problems
• Reporting daily, weekly, or monthly activity