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Retail Salespersons

Also called: Sales Associate, Sales Clerk, Sales Consultant, Sales Person

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What they do:
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.

Knowledge

Business
  • sales and marketing
  • customer service
Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Math and Science
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Skills

Basic Skills
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others
Social
  • talking people into changing their minds or their behavior
  • looking for ways to help people

Abilities

Verbal
  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
  • notice when problems happen
  • order or arrange things

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include leading, making decisions, and business.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity
  • Self Control
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Graphics or photo imaging software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Cloud software Hot Technology
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator Hot Technology
Word processing software
  • Google Docs Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
Point of sale POS software
  • Plexis Software Plexis POS
  • TokenWorks Magnetic Card Reader

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
no high school diploma/GED
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Bright Outlook
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Salary
$29,120
$21,840
$45,460
Check out my state Local Salary Info Find Jobs

Explore More

See more details at O*NET OnLine about retail salespersons.