Career Overview
Sell goods or services door-to-door or on the street.
Also Known As
- Direct Sales Coach
- Door-to-Door Sales Trainer
- Independent Sales Associate
- Independent Sales Representative
Alternate Job Titles
- Balloon Seller
- Beauty Consultant
- Beauty Counselor
- Book Agent
- Book Canvasser
- Book Solicitor
- Bumboater
- Candy Butcher
- Candy Vendor
- Canvasser
- Christmas Bell Ringer
- Chuck Wagon Driver
- Cigarette Vendor
- Cushion Worker
- Deliverer
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Explain products or services and prices and demonstrate use of products.
- Develop prospect lists.
- Deliver merchandise and collect payment.
- Write and record orders for merchandise or enter orders into computers.
- Arrange buying parties and solicit sponsorship of such parties to sell merchandise.
- Answer questions about product features and benefits.
- Distribute product samples or literature that details products or services.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Contact customers to ensure their satisfaction with products or services.
- Train new recruits or other employees.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Speaking
- Persuasion
- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Speech Recognition
- Speech Clarity
- Written Expression
- Information Ordering
- Written Comprehension
- Fluency of Ideas
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Perseverance
- Achievement Orientation
- Social Orientation
- Optimism
- Self-Confidence
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Achievement
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Less than a High School Diploma
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
Tools & Equipment
- Desktop computers
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Laptop computers
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Passenger vehicles
- Personal computers
- Tape measures
Work Environment
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
- Telephone Conversations
- Contact With Others
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $23,440 |
| Median | $34,530 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $55,970 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 4,590
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Retail Salespersons
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $34,580
Counter and Rental Clerks
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $38,540
Demonstrators and Product Promoters
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $37,960
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $66,780
Cashiers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $31,190
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.