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Retail salespersons

OaSIS code 64100.01

Retail salespersons sell, rent or lease a range of technical and non-technical goods and services directly to consumers.

Overview

Also known as

  • Jewellery salesperson
  • Retail salesperson

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Greet customers and discuss type, quality and quantity of merchandise or services sought for purchase, rental or lease
  • Advise customers on use and care of merchandise, and provide advice concerning specialized products or services
  • Estimate or quote prices, credit terms, trade-in allowances, warranties and delivery dates
  • Prepare merchandise for purchase, rental or lease
  • Prepare sales, rental or leasing contracts and accept cash, cheque, credit card or automatic debit payment
  • Assist in display of merchandise
  • Maintain sales records for inventory control
  • Operate computerized inventory record keeping and re-ordering systems
  • May conduct sales transactions through Internet-based electronic commerce.

Additional information

  • Retail salespersons may specialize and act as consultants in home entertainment systems, computers and other products and services.
  • Technical or sales training programs may be provided by employers.
  • Progression to retail supervisory positions is possible with additional training or experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Cashiers (65100)
  • Stock clerk - retail (in 65102.00 Store shelf stockers, clerks and order fillers)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

6 – Sales and service occupations

TEER

4 – Occupations usually require a secondary school diploma; or several weeks of on-the-job training

Major group

64 – Sales and service representatives and other customer and personal services occupations

Sub-major group

641 – Retail salespersons and non-technical wholesale trade sales and account representatives

Minor group

6410 – Retail salespersons and non-technical wholesale trade sales and account representatives

Unit group

64100 – Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers

Occupational profile

64100.01 – Retail salespersons

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Selling or Influencing Others
5 - Highest Level
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
4 - High Level
Assisting and Caring for Others
3 - Moderate Level
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
3 - Moderate Level
Handling and Moving Objects
3 - Moderate Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
3 - Moderate amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
1 - Less than 35 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
3 - Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
2 - Less than half the time
Standing
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
2 - Less than half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
5 - Every day, almost continuously
Duration
5 - All the time, or almost all the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
3 - Important
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day

Workplaces/employers

  • Stores and other retail establishments
  • Wholesale businesses that sell on a retail basis

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Speech Clarity
3 - Moderate Level
Speech Recognition
3 - Moderate Level
Verbal Ability
3 - Moderate Level
Auditory Attention
2 - Low Level
Body Flexibility
2 - Low Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Negotiating
4 - High Level
Oral Communication: Active Listening
3 - Moderate Level
Persuading
3 - Moderate Level
Social Perceptiveness
3 - Moderate Level
Coordinating
2 - Low Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Attention to Detail
4 - Highly important
Collaboration
4 - Highly important
Service Orientation
4 - Highly important
Active Learning
3 - Important
Adaptability
3 - Important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: ECS

Enterprising (E)

Enterprising occupations are characterized by the dominance of action-oriented activities to attain organizational or self-interest goals. They frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects, influencing, leading or mobilizing people, making decisions, and sometimes require risk taking and dealing with business.

Conventional (C)

Conventional occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail following sets of procedures and routines. These activities may include systematic manipulation of data, such as keeping records, filing materials, reproducing materials, organizing written and numerical data according to a prescribed plan, and operating business and data processing. They often require following a clear line of authority and usually involve working with data and details more than with ideas.

Social (S)

Social occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the interaction with others to inform, train, aid, develop, cure, or enlighten. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others, teaching, working or communicating with people.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • Completion of secondary school may be required.
  • A university degree or college diploma may be required by some employers.
  • Specific subject matter courses or training may be required.
  • Demonstrated sales ability and product knowledge are usually required for retail salespersons who sell complex or valuable merchandise, such as automobiles, antiques or computers.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Sale and Marketing
2 - Intermediate Level
Accounting
1 - Basic Level
Client Service
1 - Basic Level
Communications and Media
1 - Basic Level
Economics
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

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