Salesperson

Salespeople sell products to the public. They must have a thorough knowledge of the products being sold to be able to answer the customer's questions about the products and demonstrate how they work and how they should be used.

Salespeople show various models and colours of the products and make suggestions in line with the customer’s requirements. They make out sales slips and invoices, take cash payments and return change and receipts. Sometimes salespeople fill out hire purchase documents and have them duly signed. They might also be required to handle product returns or exchanges and trade-ins, and places orders for items not in stock.

Some satisfying aspects of this career include:
good employment opportunities
company discounts
working with people
working without constant supervision

Some demanding aspects may include:

being on your feet most of the day
being paid on a commission basis
dealing with difficult customers
having to cope with very slow or busy periods

Personal Requirements

enjoy working with people
tactful and courteous
pleasant personality
able to communicate well, preferably in different languages
neat appearance
honest in dealings
assertive
good health and stamina
clear speech, to be easily understood

How to Enter

Schooling & School Subjects

Grade 10 Certificate
National Senior Certificate is recommended

What to Study

Although no specific training course is required for this occupation, the science and art of selling today has become so finely developed that a truly good salesperson deserves the description “professional”.

Entry requirements, like the nature of the work, depend on the type of product offered by the firm.
A salesperson usually starts the career as a clerk, shop assistant, cashier or learner and later undergoes in-service training.

Employment