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Retail Salespersons

  • Bright Outlook
  • Numerous Job Openings

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

What you’d do

  • Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
  • 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.
  • Prepare merchandise for purchase or rental.
  • Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
  • Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
  • Demonstrate use or operation of merchandise.
  • Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.

Skills that matter

  • Persuasion
  • Active Listening
  • Service Orientation
  • Speaking
  • Negotiation
  • Social Perceptiveness

How to get there

Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

Also called

  • Sales Associate
  • Sales Clerk
  • Sales Consultant
  • Sales Person
  • Car Salesman
  • Customer Assistant

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