Technical Sales Representative

Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers where technical or scientific knowledge is required in such areas as biology, engineering, chemistry, and electronics, normally obtained from at least 2 years of postsecondary education.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Inside Sales Representative; Marketing Representative; Sales Representative

Tasks

• Negotiate prices or terms of sales or service agreements.
• Prepare and submit sales contracts for orders.
• Visit establishments to evaluate needs or to promote product or service sales.
• Maintain customer records, using automated systems.
• Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, or credit terms.
• Quote prices, credit terms, or other bid specifications.
• Contact new or existing customers to discuss how specific products or services can meet their needs.
• Emphasize product features, based on analyses of customers' needs and on technical knowledge of product capabilities and limitations.
• Compute customer's installation or production costs and estimate savings from new services, products, or equipment.
• Select or assist customers in selecting products based on customer needs, product specifications, and applicable regulations.
• Prepare sales presentations or proposals to explain product specifications or applications.
• Complete expense reports, sales reports, or other paperwork.
• Verify that delivery schedules meet project deadlines.
• Identify prospective customers, using business directories, leads from existing clients, participation in organizations, or trade show or conference attendance.
• Inform customers of estimated delivery schedules, service contracts, warranties, or other information pertaining to purchased products.

Knowledge

• Customer and Personal Service
• Sales and Marketing
• English Language
• Administration and Management
• Mathematics
• Production and Processing
• Computers and Electronics

Skills

• Speaking
• Active Listening
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Learning
• Writing
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring

Abilities

• Oral Expression
• Oral Comprehension
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Near Vision
• Fluency of Ideas
• Problem Sensitivity
• Originality
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Category Flexibility
• Memorization