Retail Salespersons

Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.

Median Annual Wage: $21,390

Education: High school diploma or equivalent (76%); Less than high school diploma (11%); Bachelor's degree (9%)

Projected Growth: Average (8% to 14%)

Related Job Titles: Design Consultant; Sales Representative; Clerk; Sales Associate; Sales Clerk; Sales Consultant; Sales Person; Customer Assistant; Salesman; Bridal Consultant

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Retail Salespersons.

More Sales and Related Careers

  • Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.
  • 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.
  • Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
  • Prepare sales slips or sales contracts.
  • Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
  • Maintain records related to sales.
  • Demonstrate use or operation of merchandise.
  • Place special orders or call other stores to find desired items.
  • Prepare merchandise for purchase or rental.
  • Watch for and recognize security risks and thefts and know how to prevent or handle these situations.
  • Inventory stock and requisition new stock.
  • Ticket, arrange, and display merchandise to promote sales.
  • Exchange merchandise for customers and accept returns.
  • Clean shelves, counters, and tables.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Retail Salespersons.

  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Retail Salespersons.

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