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41-2031.00 · Task explorer

Retail Salespersons: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

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

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This source lists 24 tasks, including 14 marked Core and 10 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2018.

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24 tasks shown

Core · Task 694 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.

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Core · Task 700 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.

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Core · Task 697 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.

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Core · Task 712 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Prepare merchandise for purchase or rental.

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Core · Task 701 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.

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Core · Task 696 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.

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Core · Task 706 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Demonstrate use or operation of merchandise.

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Core · Task 702 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.

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Core · Task 703 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Ticket, arrange, and display merchandise to promote sales.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 711 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Inventory stock and requisition new stock.

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Core · Task 708 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Exchange merchandise for customers and accept returns.

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Core · Task 699 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Watch for and recognize security risks and thefts and know how to prevent or handle these situations.

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Core · Task 705 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Place special orders or call other stores to find desired items.

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Core · Task 707 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Clean shelves, counters, and tables.

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Supplemental · Task 698 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Maintain records related to sales.

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Supplemental · Task 695 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Open and close cash registers, performing tasks such as counting money, separating charge slips, coupons, and vouchers, balancing cash drawers, and making deposits.

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Supplemental · Task 704 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Prepare sales slips or sales contracts.

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Supplemental · Task 714 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Estimate and quote trade-in allowances.

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Supplemental · Task 709 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Bag or package purchases and wrap gifts.

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Supplemental · Task 710 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Help customers try on or fit merchandise.

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Supplemental · Task 713 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Sell or arrange for delivery, insurance, financing, or service contracts for merchandise.

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Supplemental · Task 716 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Estimate quantity and cost of merchandise required, such as paint or floor covering.

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Supplemental · Task 717 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Rent merchandise to customers.

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Supplemental · Task 715 · 08/2018 · Incumbent

Estimate cost of repair or alteration of merchandise.

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

Keep your worksheet

Download before leaving this page. Unsaved writing remains only in the page and is cleared on refresh. Notes and learning actions are not sent to a server. This guide describes an occupation and supports study planning; it does not provide clinical, legal or equipment-operating procedures.

Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.