# Tasks & work activities — commercial sales representative

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 41-4011.00 (Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products).

## Task statements

- **[Core]** Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, or credit terms.
- **[Core]** Quote prices, credit terms, or other bid specifications.
- **[Core]** Emphasize product features, based on analyses of customers' needs and on technical knowledge of product capabilities and limitations.
- **[Core]** Negotiate prices or terms of sales or service agreements.
- **[Core]** Maintain customer records, using automated systems.
- **[Core]** Collaborate with colleagues to exchange information, such as selling strategies or marketing information.
- **[Core]** Prepare sales presentations or proposals to explain product specifications or applications.
- **[Core]** Provide customers with ongoing technical support.
- **[Core]** Inform customers of estimated delivery schedules, service contracts, warranties, or other information pertaining to purchased products.
- **[Core]** Visit establishments to evaluate needs or to promote product or service sales.
- **[Core]** Complete expense reports, sales reports, or other paperwork.
- **[Core]** Compute customer's installation or production costs and estimate savings from new services, products, or equipment.
- **[Core]** Stock or distribute resources, such as samples or promotional or educational materials.
- **[Core]** Prepare and submit sales contracts for orders.
- **[Core]** Contact new or existing customers to discuss how specific products or services can meet their needs.
- **[Core]** Select or assist customers in selecting products based on customer needs, product specifications, and applicable regulations.
- **[Core]** Verify that delivery schedules meet project deadlines.
- **[Core]** Identify prospective customers, using business directories, leads from existing clients, participation in organizations, or trade show or conference attendance.
- **[Core]** Advise customers on product usage to improve production.
- **[Core]** Study documentation or other information for new scientific or technical products.
- **[Core]** Attend sales or trade meetings or read related publications to obtain information about market conditions, business trends, environmental regulations, or industry developments.
- **[Supplemental]** Provide feedback to product design teams so that products can be tailored to clients' needs.
- **[Supplemental]** Arrange for installation and testing of products or machinery.
- **[Supplemental]** Consult with engineers regarding technical problems with products.
- **[Supplemental]** Visit establishments, such as pharmacies, to determine product sales.
- **[Supplemental]** Inform customers about issues related to responsible use and disposal of products, such as waste reduction or product or byproduct recycling or disposal.
- **[Supplemental]** Present information to customers about the energy efficiency or environmental impact of scientific or technical products.
- **[Supplemental]** Sell technical and scientific products that are environmentally sound or designed for environmental remediation.
- **[Supplemental]** Sell service contracts for technical or scientific products.
- **[Supplemental]** Demonstrate the operation or use of technical or scientific products.
- **[Supplemental]** Initiate sales campaigns to meet sales and production expectations.
- **[Supplemental]** Verify accuracy of materials lists.
- **[Supplemental]** Verify customer credit ratings.

## Detailed work activities

- Advise customers on the use of products or services.
- Answer customer questions about goods or services.
- Arrange delivery of goods or services.
- Attend events to develop professional knowledge.
- Contact current or potential customers to promote products or services.
- Coordinate sales campaigns.
- Deliver promotional presentations to current or prospective customers.
- Demonstrate products to consumers.
- Develop content for sales presentations or other materials.
- Discuss design or technical features of products or services with technical personnel.
- Distribute promotional literature or samples to customers.
- Estimate costs or terms of sales.
- Explain technical product or service information to customers.
- Gather customer or product information to determine customer needs.
- Identify potential customers.
- Maintain records of customer accounts.
- Maintain records of sales or other business transactions.
- Monitor market conditions or trends.
- Monitor sales activities.
- Negotiate prices or other sales terms.
- Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.
- Prepare sales or other contracts.
- Process sales or other transactions.
- Recommend products or services to customers.
- Sell products or services.
- Share sales-related or market information with colleagues.
- Stock products or parts.
- Study product information to acquire professional knowledge.
- Verify accuracy of records.
- Verify customer credit information.
