Sales Worker (Retail)

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Work Tasks

• Help customers find what they are looking for and show customers how to use products
• Tell customers about the different styles and colors the product comes in
• Take payment, bag the purchases, and give back change and a receipt
• Take products the customer returns and exchange them or give their money back
• Work in all kinds of stores like specialty shops, department and clothing stores, grocery stores, and car dealerships
• Work with the products they sell, cash registers, computers, sales and charge slips, receipts, cash, return and exchange slips, price tags, inventory sheets, timesheets, and other clerical forms

Salary, Size & Growth

• $26,000 average per year ($12.50 per hour)
• A very large occupation (4,364,400 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (0.7% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: On-the-job training
• Employers Prefer: A high school diploma and sales experience; people who enjoy working with others and have the tact and patience to deal with difficult customers
• Skills/Courses: Training includes customer service, security, the store's policies and procedures, and how to use a cash register.