National
| Median wages (2008) |
$9.86 hourly, $20,510 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
4,477,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
1,935,000 additional employees |
41-2031.00 - Retail Salespersons
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel in a retail establishment.
Sample of reported job titles:
Sales Associate, Sales Consultant, Sales Clerk, Sales Person, Customer Assistant, Clerk, Sales Representative, Design Consultant, Salesman, Bridal Consultant
Tasks
- Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
- 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.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Cash registers — Computerized cash registers |
| Ladders |
| Magnetic card readers — Credit card readers |
| Point of sale POS terminal — Point of sale POS terminals |
| Tape measures |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Accounting software — Intuit QuickBooks |
| Human resources software — Exact Software |
| Point of sale POS software — CyberMatrix software; ICVERIFY software; Plexis Software Plexis POS; TokenWorks Magnetic Card Reader |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
