Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
Also called Outside Sales Representative, Sales Consultant, Sales Representative (Sales Rep), or Salesman
What Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products do
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.
Who tends to enjoy it
Leading
People who like persuading, selling, starting things, and taking charge.
Organizing
People who like keeping things accurate, orderly, and running on schedule.
Helping
People who like teaching, caring for, and working closely with people.
What you'd actually do
- Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, product uses, and credit terms.
- Recommend products to customers, based on customers' needs and interests.
- 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.
- Prepare sales contracts and order forms.
- Provide customers with product samples and catalogs.
- 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.
A typical day involves
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Persuasion
- Negotiation
- Critical Thinking
What you'll need to know
- Sales and Marketing
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Transportation
Where to study for this
College programs that commonly lead to this career, and how many US colleges offer each.
- Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations 184 colleges
- Fashion Merchandising 101 colleges
- Agricultural / Farm Supplies Retailing and Wholesaling 18 colleges
- General Merchandising, Sales, and Related Marketing Operations, Other 26 colleges
- Special Products Marketing Operations 13 colleges
- Apparel and Accessories Marketing Operations 11 colleges
Related careers
Sales and Related
Retail Salespersons
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
Little to some preparation
Transportation and Material Moving
Stockers and Order Fillers
Receive, store, and issue merchandise, materials, equipment, and other items from stockroom, warehouse, or storage yard to fill shelves, racks, tables, or customers' orders. May operate power equipment to fill orders. May mark prices on merchandise and set up sales displays.
Little to some preparation
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA), occupation 41-4012.00, used under CC BY 4.0 and modified by Whittle. Program links: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. How we build these pages.