Sales Representatives
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
41-4012.00
Median wages
$50,920
Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.
- 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.
- Perform administrative duties, such as preparing sales budgets and reports, keeping sales records, and filing expense account reports.
- Obtain credit information about prospective customers.
- Train customers' employees to operate and maintain new equipment.
- Prepare sales contracts and order forms.
- Negotiate details of contracts and payments.
- Forward orders to manufacturers.
- Negotiate with retail merchants to improve product exposure, such as shelf positioning and advertising.
- Plan, assemble, and stock product displays in retail stores, or make recommendations to retailers regarding product displays, promotional programs, and advertising.
- Check stock levels and reorder merchandise as necessary.
- Arrange and direct delivery and installation of products and equipment.
- Buy products from manufacturers or brokerage firms and distribute them to wholesale and retail clients.
- Access software — Citrix
- Accounting software — Intuit QuickBooks ; Sage 50 Accounting
- Analytical or scientific software — SAS
- Application server software — Oracle WebLogic Server
- Business intelligence and data analysis software — IBM Cognos Impromptu ; MicroStrategy ; Qlik Tech QlikView ; Tableau
- Calendar and scheduling software — Computerized call calendars; Computerized time management systems
- Computer aided design CAD software — Autodesk AutoCAD
- Customer relationship management CRM software — Oracle Eloqua ; Salesforce software ; Soffront CRM Portal; Tigerpaw
- Data base management system software — Relational database management software
- Data base reporting software — SalesInSync
- Data base user interface and query software — Data entry software ; FileMaker Pro ; Microsoft Access
- Data mining software — Google Analytics
- Desktop publishing software — Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign ; Contract Central; Microsoft Publisher
- Development environment software — Microsoft Visual Basic
- Document management software — Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Electronic mail software — IBM Notes ; Microsoft Exchange; Microsoft Outlook ; Mozilla Thunderbird
- Enterprise application integration software — Extensible markup language XML
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software — NetSuite ERP ; Oracle Hyperion ; Oracle PeopleSoft ; SAP
- Enterprise system management software — IBM Power Systems software
- Expert system software — MASterMind
- Financial analysis software — Delphi Technology
- Graphics or photo imaging software — Adobe Systems Adobe Flash ; Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator ; Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop ; Microsoft Visio
- Information retrieval or search software — LexisNexis
- Internet browser software — Microsoft Internet Explorer; Mozilla Firefox; SeaMonkey
- Medical software — Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
- Office suite software — Microsoft Office
- Operating system software — Apple Macintosh OS/X; Handheld computer device software ; UNIX
- Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint
- Project management software — Microsoft Project ; Microsoft SharePoint ; Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
- Sales and marketing software — Google AdWords ; Marketo Marketing Automation
- Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
- Transaction security and virus protection software — McAfee ; Symantec
- Video creation and editing software — YouTube
- Web page creation and editing software — Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver ; Facebook ; LinkedIn
- Web platform development software — Hypertext markup language HTML
- Word processing software — Microsoft Word
- 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.
- Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
