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Retail Salespersons

SOC 41-2031.00Job Zone 2 · Some Preparation

Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel, to consumers.

Context coveredSpecialty, big-box, and small-format retail across apparel, home goods, electronics, and automotive; commission and hourly compensation models; customer-facing floor work through assistant management.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Product locations and basic merchandise knowledge — learn and recall under a senior associate's coaching on a small-format sales floor.
  2. Point-of-sale system basics — operate to process common transactions under shift-manager oversight.
  3. Customer greetings and store-script openers — deliver consistently within the first 30 seconds of customer entry.
  4. Loss-prevention awareness — recognize common shoplifting cues and escalate to a manager rather than confronting.
  5. Returns and exchanges within policy — process accurately on routine items at the register.
  6. Restocking and facing — maintain to the planogram during slow periods on an assigned section.
  7. Price tags and signage — apply correctly during sale-rollout days under supervision.
  8. Cash-handling basics (counts, deposits, change) — perform reliably at shift open and close.
  9. Personal protective behaviors (allergens, lifting limits, ladder safety) — follow consistently across the shift.
  10. Manager call-outs (price overrides, complex returns) — escalate appropriately rather than guessing.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Multiple departments on the sales floor — cover routinely on a moderate-volume day.
  2. Suggestive selling and add-on attachments — apply naturally on common transactions to lift basket size.
  3. Product knowledge across the assigned department — answer specific questions without checking with a senior.
  4. Customer objections and price-comparison questions — handle confidently using store-trained responses.
  5. Inventory cycle counts on assigned aisles — execute accurately and flag discrepancies.
  6. Schedule swaps, breaks, and shift handoffs — coordinate within the team without manager involvement.
  7. New hires on the floor — buddy with on basics during their first two weeks.
  8. Promotional setup and seasonal resets — execute to plan within an assigned section.
  9. Loyalty program enrollments and credit applications — pitch and process per company training.
  10. Light visual merchandising (end caps, mannequins) — refresh per the corporate guide on a routine day.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Big-ticket sales (appliances, furniture, electronics over $500) — close consistently against monthly targets.
  2. Customer complaints and difficult returns — resolve to satisfaction without escalating to a manager.
  3. New product launches in the department — learn quickly and become the floor's go-to within a week.
  4. Cross-trained coverage across most departments — work effectively on any assigned floor.
  5. Shift opening and closing procedures — run autonomously as a key-holder.
  6. Floor team during a peak rush — coordinate priorities (registers, fitting rooms, restock) without a manager present.
  7. Visual merchandising for the department — execute corporate directives with creative latitude.
  8. Performance feedback for newer hires — provide substantive observations to the assistant manager.
  9. Inventory variances and root-cause investigation — identify and recommend process fixes.
  10. Stretch goals and SPIFFs — design micro-incentives for the team on a quiet shift.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Department revenue and conversion targets — own as department lead across a full quarter.
  2. Hiring, scheduling, and discipline for a team of 6–15 — manage with the assistant manager.
  3. Loss-prevention investigations — partner with corporate LP on internal and external cases.
  4. Visual merchandising across the store — set standards and audit execution.
  5. Vendor partnerships and in-store demo events — plan and run end-to-end.
  6. Store-level inventory ordering and shrink management — own with the buyer and store manager.
  7. Customer-experience metrics (NPS, mystery shop) — interpret and translate into team coaching.
  8. Crisis-moment leadership (POS down, fire alarm, irate customer) — lead through with composure.
  9. Talent development — identify high-potentials and coach them toward keyholder and supervisor roles.
  10. Store operations during the manager's absence — run a full shift with full P&L accountability.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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  1. Emerging
  2. Developing
  3. Proficient
  4. Advanced
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Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Show O*NET source anchors52 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Art Dealer · Art Objects Salesperson · Auto Dealer · Automobile Accessories Salesperson · Automobile Salesman · Automobiles Salesperson · Automotive Salesperson · Bakery Clerk · Bargain Table Clerk · Beauty Advisor · Beauty Consultant · Beauty Counselor
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
PersuasionActive ListeningSpeakingService OrientationNegotiationSocial PerceptivenessCritical ThinkingActive LearningMonitoringCoordinationTime ManagementWritingReading Comprehension
Knowledge domains
Sales and MarketingCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageAdministration and ManagementMathematicsAdministrative
Abilities
Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionProblem SensitivityWritten ComprehensionWritten ExpressionInformation OrderingNear Vision
Work styles
Social OrientationOptimismDependabilityCooperationPerseveranceEmpathy
Technology
Document management softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareDesktop publishing softwarePoint of sale POS softwareOperating system softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareInstant messaging softwareData base user interface and query softwareDevelopment environment softwareHuman resources software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
  2. Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
  3. Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.
  4. Prepare merchandise for purchase or rental.
  5. Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
  6. Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
  7. Demonstrate use or operation of merchandise.
  8. Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.
CIP education codes
01.060819.020352.020852.021252.180352.1804

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.