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Career Details

Career Details

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41-2022.00 - Parts Salespersons


Sell spare and replacement parts and equipment in repair shop or parts store.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
234,700
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
251,500
Estimate
Change in Employment
+16,800
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+7.2%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Read catalogs, microfiche viewers, or computer displays to determine replacement part stock numbers and prices.
  • Determine replacement parts required, according to inspections of old parts, customer requests, or customers' descriptions of malfunctions.
  • Receive and fill telephone orders for parts.
  • Prepare sales slips or sales contracts.
  • Receive payment or obtain credit authorization.
  • Advise customers on substitution or modification of parts when identical replacements are not available.
  • Examine returned parts for defects, and exchange defective parts or refund money.
  • Mark and store parts in stockrooms, according to prearranged systems.
  • Discuss use and features of various parts, based on knowledge of machines or equipment.
  • Place new merchandise on display.
  • Fill customer orders from stock, and place orders when requested items are out of stock.
  • Assist customers, such as responding to customer complaints and updating them about back-ordered parts.
  • Locate and label parts, and maintain inventory of stock.
  • Pick up and deliver parts.
  • Maintain and clean work and inventory areas.
  • Manage shipments by researching shipping methods or costs and tracking packages.
Supplemental
  • Demonstrate equipment to customers, and explain functioning of equipment.
  • Measure parts, using precision measuring instruments, to determine whether similar parts may be machined to required sizes.
  • Repair parts or equipment.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 81%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Sales and Marketing
  • 76%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
 English Language
  • 71%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Mechanical
  • 70%
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 Administration and Management
  • 57%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Clerical
  • 55%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 Mathematics
  • 55%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Production and Processing
  • 52%
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 Transportation
  • 51%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 51%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Computer printers
  • Computer laser printers
 Cameras
  • Digital still cameras
 Calculating machines and accessories
  • Electronic cash registers
 Computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Personal computers
  • Tablet computers
 Microfilm equipment and supplies
  • Microfiche viewing equipment
 Personal communication devices
  • Multiline telephone systems
 Lifting equipment and accessories
  • Warehouse forklifts
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Content management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AcrobatHOT
 Data management and query software
  • Customer information databases
  • Data entry softwareHOT
 Business function specific software
  • Inventory tracking software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • SmugMug FlickrHOT
 Information exchange software
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
 Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • SAPHOT
 Network applications software
  • Web browser software
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Specialty
 Advanced
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Bridgewater College
 Programs
Randolph-Macon College
 Programs