Employment of sales and related occupations is projected to grow 5 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations, which will result in about 778,000 new jobs.

Sales Jobs

What’s involved in a sales job?

  • Contact regular and prospective customers to demonstrate products, explain product features, and solicit orders.
  • Recommend products to customers, based on customers’ needs and interests.
  • Answer customers’ questions about products, prices, availability, product uses, and credit terms.
  • 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.
  • Prepare drawings, estimates, and bids that meet specific customer needs.
  • 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.
  • Obtain credit information about prospective customers.
  • Train customers’ employees to operate and maintain new equipment.
  • Prepare sales contracts and order forms.
  • Negotiate details of contracts and payments.

If you are looking for a new sales job or considering getting into sales, check out more than $43,000 new sales opportunities that are posted on Indeed

Skills Needed For Sales

  • 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.
  • Persuasion — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  • Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

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