State of Connecticut Home Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on Flickr
Connecticut Department of Labor Home Connecticut Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics - STEM
LMI Home About Us Publications FAQ Glossary Contact Us
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products Go Back to List
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 post-secondary education.
 Technology used in this occupation:
 
  • Customer relationship management CRM software
  •  Tasks
     
  • Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, or credit terms.
  •  
  • Quote prices, credit terms, or other bid specifications.
  •  
  • Emphasize product features based on analyses of customers' needs and on technical knowledge of product capabilities and limitations.
  •  
  • Negotiate prices or terms of sales or service agreements.
  •  
  • Maintain customer records, using automated systems.
  •  
  • Collaborate with colleagues to exchange information, such as selling strategies or marketing information.
  •  
  • Prepare sales presentations or proposals to explain product specifications or applications.
  •  
  • Provide customers with ongoing technical support.
  •  
  • Inform customers of estimated delivery schedules, service contracts, warranties, or other information pertaining to purchased products.
  •  
  • Visit establishments to evaluate needs or to promote product or service sales.
  •  Skills
     
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  •  
  • Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  •  
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  •  
  • Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  •  
  • Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  •  
  • Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
  •  
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  •  
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  •  
  • Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  •  
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  •  Knowledge
     
  • Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  •  
  • Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
  •  
  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  •  
  • Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  •  
  • Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  •  
  • Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  •  
  • Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  •  
  • Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  •  
  • Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  •  
  • Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  •  Search for Jobs on Connecticut's Labor Exchange (CTJOBcentral)
      (Please note that some searches may not produce any results.)
     Education & Training
      Education:   Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
      Related Experience:   A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
      View Related Programs on Connecticut's Education & Training ConneCTion site.
     Browse Through a List of Businesses That Employ People With Your Same Skills
      Potential Employer Search
     Wage Information
     
    Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range 
    Annual  Hourly 
    Statewide $94,411.00 $45.39  $25.46  $29.59 - $61.86 
    Bridgeport/Stamford $101,104.00 $48.61  $27.07  $31.15 - $65.84 
    Danbury $97,783.00 $47.01  $28.05  $31.97 - $62.24 
    Hartford $88,805.00 $42.69  $23.12  $26.40 - $61.13 
    New Haven $98,735.00 $47.47  $28.54  $31.83 - $63.52 
    New London/Norwich $98,052.00 $47.14  $26.37  $30.02 - $61.97 
    Waterbury $94,266.00 $45.32  $24.76  $27.10 - $61.64 
    Torrington $84,429.00 $40.59  $20.90  $24.03 - $56.07 
     Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 )
    Average Annual Job Openings:   348
      Employment in this occupation is expected to grow faster than average, and the number of annual openings will offer very good job opportunities.
    ONET Resource Center Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
    Go Connecticut LMI Home State of Connecticut Department of Labor - Office of Research
    200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109 / Phone: 860-263-6275
    LMI Home | CTDOL Home | CT.gov | Feedback | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Policy
    This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. (more)
    Go to the State of Connecticut website