Sales Representative

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Work Tasks

• Sell things made by the company for which they work; show samples, photos, and catalogs to customers
• Tell customers how much things cost, how items can be used, and other information to help sell the product
• Take orders, deal with complaints, and help customers with problems
• Look at sales figures, write reports, and decide when to meet customers
• Travel a lot and work for companies that make products such as machinery, food, autos and parts, hardware, plumbing, and electrical goods
• Work with products, samples, pictures, catalogs, promotional displays, reports, work schedules, customer credit ratings, and other forms and supplies

Salary, Size & Growth

• $53,500 average per year ($25.75 per hour)
• A very large occupation (1,748,300 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (0.7% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A high school diploma and experience in sales
• Employers Prefer: A 4-year degree and knowledge of the products being sold
• Skills/Courses: College courses include sales techniques, marketing, economics, communications, and foreign languages. Skills in using a computer are important.
• Certification/Licensing: Certification is available for selling specific products.