Profession Sales representative

Sales representatives sell goods or services (of the company they represent) to customers, e.g. industry, business and professional establishments, and wholesale or retail outlets.

Personality Type

• Enterprising / Conventional
• Conventional / Enterprising

Tasks sales representative

• Identify potential customers e.g. by using business directories, following leads from existing clients, participating in organizations and clubs, and attending trade shows and conferences.
• Contact and visit potential customers.
• Maintain and develop relationships with existing customers.
• Give presentations, demonstrate products and show samples or catalogues.
• Discuss customer requirements and advise them on the capabilities and limitations of the goods or services being sold, and make recommendations.
• Quote prices, credit or contracts terms, warranties, delivery dates and other bid specifications, and prepare sales contracts for orders obtained.
• Negotiate prices and terms of sales and service agreements.
• Arrange for delivery and installation of goods and provision of services, if appropriate.
• Handle customer complaints and resolve any problems.
• Maintain records of customers and sales.
• Stay abreast of advances in product or field, and monitor market conditions and competitors' activities.
• Collaborate with colleagues, e.g. to exchange information about selling strategies, sales trends, or to make suggestions about new products or improvements to existing products.

Related professions support services (internal)

• Advertising clerk
• Advertising department manager
• Bookkeeper
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• Buyer technical products
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• Personnel department manager
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• Production or operations manager
• Public relations department manager
• Public relations officer, advisor
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• Receptionist, telephonist
• Sailor
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• Sales representative, all other products
• Technical illustrator
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Source: Sisyphus ODB