This occupation is part of the Sales and Related cluster
-
Compatibility
not enough datawhy?
- x Create a Plan
- x Find Training
- x Find Job Openings
About the Job
Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.
It is also Called
- Account Executive
- Account Leader
- Account Manager
- Account Representative
- Account Specialist
- Accounts Executive
- Agent
- Agricultural Produce Commission Agent
- Apparel Trimmings Sales Representative
- Architectural and Engineering Supplies Sales Representative
What They Do
- Negotiate details of contracts and payments.
- Contact regular and prospective customers to demonstrate products, explain product features, and solicit orders.
- Recommend products to customers, based on customers' needs and interests.
- Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, product uses, and credit terms.
- Estimate or quote prices, credit or contract terms, warranties, and delivery dates.
- Consult with clients after sales or contract signings to resolve problems and to provide ongoing support.
- Provide customers with product samples and catalogs.
- Identify prospective customers by using business directories, following leads from existing clients, participating in organizations and clubs, and attending trade shows and conferences.
- Prepare drawings, estimates, and bids that meet specific customer needs.
- Monitor market conditions, product innovations, and competitors' products, prices, and sales.
Interests
People who work in this occupation generally have the interest code: CE.
This means people who work in this occupation generally have Conventional interests, but also prefer Enterprising environments.
Work Values
People who work in this occupation generally prize Relationships, but also value Achievement and Working Conditions in their jobs.
Things They Need to Know
- Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
- Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Things They Need to Be Able to Do
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
- Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Additional Resources
- California Occupational Guide - A detailed guide to this occupation provided by the California Employment Development Department (EDD)
Education Required
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Wages
In 2012, the average annual wage in California was $65,460.00 with most people making between $27,670.00 and $115,040.00
Outlook
2.23%
avg. annual growth
During 2010, this occupation employed approximately 129,400 people in California. It is projected that there will be 158,200 employed in 2020.
This occupation will have about 2,880 openings due to growth and about 3,040 replacement openings for approximately 5,920 total annual openings.
Common College Majors
- Find Institutions Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations, General
- Find Institutions General Merchandising, Sales, and Related Marketing Operations, Other
- Find Institutions Fashion Merchandising
- Find Institutions Apparel and Accessories Marketing Operations
- Find Institutions Special Products Marketing Operations
Similar Occupations
- Administrative Services Managers
- Regulatory Affairs Managers
- Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
- Claims Examiners, Property and Casualty Insurance
- Appraisers, Real Estate
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents
- Insurance Sales Agents
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
- Brokerage Clerks
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
People who viewed this occupation also viewed:
-
onetCounter and Rental Clerks
-
onetRetail Salespersons
-
collegeUniversity of California-Los Angeles
-
majorSales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations, General
-
onetSales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
-
collegeBiola University
-
majorApparel and Accessories Marketing Operations
-
majorFashion Merchandising
-
collegePoint Loma Nazarene University
-
majorBusiness Administration and Management, General
-
collegeStanford University