According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Negotiate prices or terms of sales or service agreements. | 86% |
| Prepare and submit sales contracts for orders. | 84% |
| Sell service contracts for technical or scientific products. | 84% |
| Visit establishments to evaluate needs or to promote product or service sales. | 84% |
| Maintain customer records, using automated systems. | 84% |
| Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, or credit terms. | 83% |
| Quote prices, credit terms, or other bid specifications. | 81% |
| Contact new or existing customers to discuss how specific products or services can meet their needs. | 81% |
| Emphasize product features, based on analyses of customers' needs and on technical knowledge of product capabilities and limitations. | 80% |
| Compute customer's installation or production costs and estimate savings from new services, products, or equipment. | 80% |
| Demonstrate the operation or use of technical or scientific products. | 79% |
| Provide feedback to product design teams so that products can be tailored to clients' needs. | 77% |
| Select or assist customers in selecting products based on customer needs, product specifications, and applicable regulations. | 77% |
| Prepare sales presentations or proposals to explain product specifications or applications. | 77% |
| Complete expense reports, sales reports, or other paperwork. | 76% |
| Verify that delivery schedules meet project deadlines. | 76% |
| Identify prospective customers, using business directories, leads from existing clients, participation in organizations, or trade show or conference attendance. | 75% |
| Arrange for installation and testing of products or machinery. | 75% |
| Inform customers of estimated delivery schedules, service contracts, warranties, or other information pertaining to purchased products. | 75% |
| Collaborate with colleagues to exchange information, such as selling strategies or marketing information. | 74% |
| Initiate sales campaigns to meet sales and production expectations. | 74% |
| Provide customers with ongoing technical support. | 73% |
| Advise customers on product usage to improve production. | 73% |
| Obtain building blueprints or specifications for use by engineering departments in bid preparations. | 72% |
| Verify accuracy of materials lists. | 72% |
| Verify customer credit ratings. | 71% |
| Appraise equipment to determine contract terms or trade-in values. | 71% |
| Consult with engineers regarding technical problems with products. | 70% |
| Sell technical and scientific products that are environmentally sound or designed for environmental remediation. | 69% |
| Study documentation or other information for new scientific or technical products. | 67% |
| Stock or distribute resources, such as samples or promotional or educational materials. | 66% |
| Attend sales or trade meetings or read related publications to obtain information about market conditions, business trends, environmental regulations, or industry developments. | 65% |
| Visit establishments, such as pharmacies, to determine product sales. | 64% |
| Present information to customers about the energy efficiency or environmental impact of scientific or technical products. | 58% |
| Inform customers about issues related to responsible use and disposal of products, such as waste reduction or product or byproduct recycling or disposal. | 57% |
| Research and convey information to customers about tax benefits or government rebates associated with energy-efficient scientific or technical products, such as solar panels. | 49% |
