Description
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
Interests
- Enterprising
- Conventional
Work Values
- Relationships
- Support
- Achievement
Work Styles
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cooperation
- Integrity
- Self-Control
Tasks
- Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
- Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
- Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.
- Prepare merchandise for purchase or rental.
- Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
Work Activities
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Selling or Influencing Others
- Getting Information
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Detailed Work Activities
- Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Technology Skills
- Data base user interface and query software
- Word processing software
- Point of sale POS software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Operating system software
Abilities
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Speech Clarity
- Speech Recognition
- Problem Sensitivity
Skills
- Persuasion
- Active Listening
- Service Orientation
- Speaking
- Negotiation
Knowledge
- Sales and Marketing
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Automotive Sales ProfessionalCertifying Organization
National Automobile Dealers Association
Type
Core
Certificate name
Certified Professional Christian RetailerCertifying Organization
Association for Christian Retail
Type
Core
Certificate name
Certified Fragrance Sales SpecialistCertifying Organization
The Fragrance Foundation
Type
Core
Certificate name
Certified Collegiate RetailerCertifying Organization
National Association of College Stores
Type
Core
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $27,977 |
| Median (50%) | $34,209 |
| High (90%) | $46,203 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $37,768 |
| Mid Level | $56,267 |
| Senior Level | $81,585 |
| Expert Level | $107,635 |
Employability
There are currently 3,810,100 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 3,814,700 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 0%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 0%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
Career Resources
Search All Careers
Compare Careers
Income Outlook
Career Pathways
Career Clusters
Job Suite Home
CV Templates
Resume Templates
Cover Letter Templates
All Templates
Job Resources
Blog Articles
Podcast