Counter and Rental Clerks

What the job really is

Receive orders, generally in person, for repairs, rentals, and services. May describe available options, compute cost, and accept payment.

At a glance

• Sector: Sales
• O*NET-SOC code: 41-2021
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Compute charges for merchandise or services and receive payments.
• Receive orders for services, such as rentals, repairs, dry cleaning, and storage.
• Explain rental fees, policies, and procedures.
• Provide information about rental items, such as availability, operation, or description.
• Advise customers on use and care of merchandise.
• Greet customers and discuss the type, quality, and quantity of merchandise sought for rental.
• Answer telephones to provide information and receive orders.
• Inspect and adjust rental items to meet needs of customer.
• Prepare rental forms, obtaining customer signature and other information, such as required licenses.
• Rent items, arrange for provision of services to customers, and accept returns.
• Keep records of transactions and of the number of customers entering an establishment.
• Receive, examine, and tag articles to be altered, cleaned, stored, or repaired.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Oracle Database, 35 millimeter cameras, Adjustable widemouth pliers, Adjustable wrenches, Barcode scanners, Cash registers, Credit card processing machines

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Retail Salespersons
• Cashiers
• Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers
• Stockers and Order Fillers
• Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel
• Customer Service Representatives
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
• Telemarketers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Counter and Rental Clerks — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.