Career Details

41-4012.00 - 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.

Key Facts

Bright Outlook

Career Details

Green Job

Career Details

Current Employment

1,453,100

Estimate

Forecasted Employment

1,546,500

Estimate

Change in Employment

+93,400

Estimate

Change in Employment %

+6.4%

Estimate

Tasks

The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.

Core

Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, product uses, and credit terms.
Recommend products to customers, based on customers' needs and interests.
Contact regular and prospective customers to demonstrate products, explain product features, and solicit orders.
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.
Provide customers with product samples and catalogs.
Identify prospective customers by using business directories, following leads from existing clients, participating in organizations and clubs, and attending trade shows and conferences.
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.
Prepare sales contracts and order forms.

Supplemental

Prepare drawings, estimates, and bids that meet specific customer needs.
Arrange and direct delivery and installation of products and equipment.
Obtain credit information about prospective customers.
Forward orders to manufacturers.
Check stock levels and reorder merchandise as necessary.
Plan, assemble, and stock product displays in retail stores, or make recommendations to retailers regarding product displays, promotional programs, and advertising.
Negotiate with retail merchants to improve product exposure, such as shelf positioning and advertising.
Buy products from manufacturers or brokerage firms and distribute them to wholesale and retail clients.
Negotiate details of contracts and payments.

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

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.

Sales and Marketing

Customer and Personal Service

English Language

Mathematics

Transportation

Computers and Electronics

Administration and Management

Communications and Media

Telecommunications

Psychology

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Tools

The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.

Computers

Computer printers

Projectors and supplies

Personal communication devices

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

Technology

The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.

Content authoring and editing software

Data management and query software

Content management software

Development software

Operating environment software

Industry specific software

Information exchange software

Networking software

Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software

Network applications software

Business function specific software

System management software

Security and protection software

Network management software

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

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.

All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.

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

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

Business Administration Major - BA

Bachelor of Arts

The George S. Aldhizer II Department of Economics and Business Administration offers two majors—economics and business administration—that prepare students to pursue managerial and other professional careers as well as graduate education. We build on the liberal arts foundation provided by the College’s general education program and give each student the knowledge, skills and experience to become a successful and ethical leader, capable of making valued contributions to his or her workplace, society and self. Through a combination of lectures, discussions, case analyses, team projects and presentations, and other in-class activities, courses are designed to integrate economic and business theory and practice; encourage independent and critical thinking using both qualitative and quantitative reasoning; and develop skills in decision making and implementation, teamwork and collaboration, and all forms of communication. Experiential learning opportunities abound through internships, study abroad programs and participation in student organizations, to supplement classroom learning. The economics major consists of 14 courses in economics and mathematics. Economics majors may choose among three tracks: business, government policy and preparation for graduate school via additional mathematics courses. Economics majors can also earn an emphasis in financial economics. The business administration major consists of 15 courses in business, economics and mathematics. To gain greater depth in a particular area of business, many students pursue one of the four concentrations we offer in the business administration major: accounting, finance, marketing and organization management. By taking additional courses, in one of these areas, students build specialization on the solid foundation provided by the business administration major. In addition to the previously mentioned majors, the department also offers minors in business administration, certified financial planning, and economics.

Marymount University

Programs

Randolph-Macon College

Programs

Business - Finance (BA)

Bachelor of Arts

A major in business offers students the opportunity to explore theories and concepts from accounting, business, and economics. Students study in an active learning environment and begin to understand and appreciate the complex nature of business organizations through applied economic theory. A major in business prepares students for a career in all business environments and provides an excellent foundation for graduate studies in such fields as business and law. The major in business requires a common core of courses plus one of three concentrations: Finance, Management, or Marketing. All courses in the core and in each concentration must be completed with a grade of C- or better.

Business - Management (BA)

Bachelor of Arts

Business - Marketing (BA)

Bachelor of Arts