CareerGPS

Parts Salespersons
Summary Occupational Forecast Data for Parts Salespersons
Employment Employment Change Average Annual Job Openings Wage & Training Levels
2020 2025 Numerical Percent New Jobs Replacement Jobs Total Median Hourly Median Annual Training Levels
2,167 2,329 162 7.46% 32 314 346 $18.02 $37,473 No formal educational credential
Description: Sell spare and replacement parts and equipment in repair shop or parts store.
Forecast Data Source: EMSI (4th Quarter 2023)

Occupation Details

The information in this section represents occupational characteristics included in O*NET which defines key features of an occupation as a standardized, measurable set of variables called "descriptors". These distinguishing characteristics of an occupation are described in greater detail in the O*NET Content Model. All items are listed in descending order of importance.

  • Read catalogs, microfiche viewers, or computer displays in order to determine replacement part stock numbers and prices.
  • Determine replacement parts required, according to inspections of old parts, customer requests, or customers' descriptions of malfunctions.
  • Receive and fill telephone orders for parts.
  • Fill customer orders from stock.
  • Prepare sales slips or sales contracts.
  • Receive payment or obtain credit authorization.
  • Take inventory of stock.
  • Advise customers on substitution or modification of parts when identical replacements are not available.
  • Examine returned parts for defects, and exchange defective parts or refund money.
  • Mark and store parts in stockrooms according to prearranged systems.
  • Discuss use and features of various parts, based on knowledge of machines or equipment.
  • Demonstrate equipment to customers and explain functioning of equipment.

Knowledge

83%
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.
60%
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.
56%
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
53%
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Skills

81%
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.
81%
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
78%
Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
75%
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
69%
Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
65%
Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
60%
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
60%
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
60%
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
53%
Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
53%
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
53%
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
50%
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Abilities

88%
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
85%
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
81%
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
78%
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
78%
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
75%
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
62%
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
62%
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
62%
Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
60%
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
60%
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
56%
Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes compa
56%
Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
56%
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
53%
Time Sharing - The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
53%
Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
53%
Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
50%
Static Strength - The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

Work Activities

84%
Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
74%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
70%
Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
66%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
65%
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
64%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
64%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
63%
Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
59%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
59%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
57%
Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
54%
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
53%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Title Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Overall Experience Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job Training Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Job Zone Examples These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, physical therapist aides, salespersons (retail), and tellers.
Education These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Interests

Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outsi
Social - Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Work Styles

Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Work Values

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