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