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Sales Representative
Commercial Traveller )



Duties and Tasks
Specialisations
Quick Facts
Work Conditions
Personal Requirements
Related Industries
Labour Market
Related Jobs
Earnings
Related Courses
Further Information
State Specific Information

Explaining to a customer the latest equipment
Explaining to a customer the latest equipment


Sales representatives sell goods and services to industry, business and professional establishments, and to wholesale or retail outlets. 

Fact Sheet

Duties and Tasks

Sales representatives may perform the following tasks:

  • visit clients to demonstrate products, show samples and take orders
  • arrange a program of visits to major potential buyers by contacting people and making appointments
  • develop and update knowledge of their own and their competitors' products
  • speak with other sales and marketing personnel in their company to work out the best methods of promoting products
  • work out customers' needs and explain and demonstrate products to them, which may involve technical descriptions of products and the way they may be used
  • quote and negotiate prices and credit terms, prepare contracts and record orders
  • report to employers on sales and provide feedback on the marketing of new or established products
  • carry out formal presentations of products using videos and other training aids, attend promotional markets and organise product displays
  • work on telemarketing campaigns
  • plan to meet sales targets and budgets
  • use e-business technology.

Specialisations

Building and Plumbing Supplies Representative
Business Services Representative
Chemical Sales Representative
Insurance Sales Representative
Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories Representative
Personal and Household Goods Representative
Pharmaceutical Representative
Sales Demonstrator

Info Icon Quick Facts

Learning Area Economics  
Languages  
Mathematics  
Work Demand Including driving  
Including mainly indoor work  
Including reading or writing  
Work Field Business, Administration and Sales  
Work Interest Organising or Clerical  
Persuading or Service  
Skill Level Skilled Non-trade Jobs  
Quick Facts

Work Conditions

Sales representatives spend a lot of time travelling from one location to another, including country and interstate locations. Meeting sales targets and budgets can be stressful.

Personal Requirements

  • enjoy working with people
  • friendly and confident manner with a pleasant personality
  • able to work without direct supervision
  • able to clearly present product and service information
  • good personal presentation
  • excellent communication skills.

Related Industries

Basic Material Wholesaling
Machinery and Equipment Wholesaling
Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts Wholesaling
Grocery, Liquor and Tobacco Product Wholesaling

Labour Market

Information

Australian JobOutlook for Sales Representatives

Vacancies

Australian JobSearch for Sales Representatives (ALL AUSTRALIA)
Work Opportunities websites

Related Jobs

Importer and Exporter
Insurance Broker
Interviewer
Marketing Officer
Motor Vehicle and Caravan Salesperson
Retail Manager
Sales Representative (Information Technology)
Technical Sales Representative

Earnings


Income of persons working full-time, 2006
Sales Representatives

Income per Week Number Share (%)
$1000 or more 34,810 43.2
$400 - $599 8,368 10.4
$600 - $799 16,807 20.9
$800 - $999 17,935 22.3
Less than $400 2,655 3.3


Copyright 2007 education.au

This information is based on the 2006 census conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.


Earnings of persons working full-time and part-time, 2006
Sales Representatives

Employment Status Weekly Income ($)
Full-time 1,018
Part-time 400


Copyright 2007 education.au

This information is based on the Employee Earnings, Benefits and Trade Union Membership survey conducting annually by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

How Much?

Related Courses

New South Wales / ACT
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

See State Specific Information below for further education and training options.

Further Information

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Australian Retailers Association (National Office)
National Retail Association
Retail Traders' Association of Western Australia
Service Industry Skills Council (National Office)

State Specific Information

New South Wales / ACT
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

Confirming the daily schedule
Confirming the daily schedule

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