# Tasks & work activities — technical sales representative

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 41-9031.00 (Sales Engineers).

## Task statements

- **[Core]** Plan and modify product configurations to meet customer needs.
- **[Core]** Confer with customers and engineers to assess equipment needs and to determine system requirements.
- **[Core]** Collaborate with sales teams to understand customer requirements, to promote the sale of company products, and to provide sales support.
- **[Core]** Secure and renew orders and arrange delivery.
- **[Core]** Develop, present, or respond to proposals for specific customer requirements, including request for proposal responses and industry-specific solutions.
- **[Core]** Recommend improved materials or machinery to customers, documenting how such changes will lower costs or increase production.
- **[Core]** Prepare and deliver technical presentations that explain products or services to customers and prospective customers.
- **[Core]** Research and identify potential customers for products or services.
- **[Core]** Visit prospective buyers at commercial, industrial, or other establishments to show samples or catalogs, and to inform them about product pricing, availability, and advantages.
- **[Core]** Create sales or service contracts for products or services.
- **[Core]** Arrange for demonstrations or trial installations of equipment.
- **[Core]** Keep informed on industry news and trends, products, services, competitors, relevant information about legacy, existing, and emerging technologies, and the latest product-line developments.
- **[Core]** Attend company training seminars to become familiar with product lines.
- **[Core]** Develop sales plans to introduce products in new markets.
- **[Core]** Identify resale opportunities and support them to achieve sales plans.
- **[Core]** Document account activities, generate reports, and keep records of business transactions with customers and suppliers.
- **[Core]** Train team members in the customer applications of technologies.
- **[Core]** Maintain sales forecasting reports.
- **[Core]** Attend trade shows and seminars to promote products or to learn about industry developments.
- **[Supplemental]** Sell products requiring extensive technical expertise and support for installation and use, such as material handling equipment, numerical-control machinery, or computer systems.
- **[Supplemental]** Diagnose problems with installed equipment.
- **[Supplemental]** Provide technical and non-technical support and services to clients or other staff members regarding the use, operation, and maintenance of equipment.
- **[Supplemental]** Provide information needed for the development of custom-made machinery.
- **[Supplemental]** Write technical documentation for products.
- **[Supplemental]** Report to supervisors about prospective firms' credit ratings.

## Detailed work activities

- Advise customers on the use of products or services.
- Arrange delivery of goods or services.
- Attend events to develop professional knowledge.
- Contact current or potential customers to promote products or services.
- Deliver promotional presentations to current or prospective customers.
- Demonstrate products to consumers.
- Develop content for sales presentations or other materials.
- Develop marketing plans or strategies.
- Develop proposals for current or prospective customers.
- Discuss design or technical features of products or services with technical personnel.
- Explain financial information to customers.
- Explain technical product or service information to customers.
- Gather customer or product information to determine customer needs.
- Identify potential customers.
- Implement design or process improvements.
- Maintain records of sales or other business transactions.
- Monitor market conditions or trends.
- Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.
- Prepare sales or other contracts.
- Prepare technical or operational reports.
- Recommend products or services to customers.
- Sell products or services.
- Share sales-related or market information with colleagues.
- Train sales personnel.
- Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems.