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Technical Sales Specialists - Wholesale Trade
What they do?
Technical sales specialists perform some or all of the following duties:
A. Troubleshoot technical problems related to equipment
B. May train customers' staff in the operation and maintenance of equipment
C. May conduct sales transactions through Internet-based electronic commerce
D. May supervise the activities of other technical sales specialists.
E. Technical sales specialists usually specialize in a particular line of goods or services.
F. Promote sales to existing clients
G. Identify and solicit potential clients
Where they find work?
1. Wholesale trade - 42.0%
2. Information and cultural industries - 11.0%
3. Chemical manufacturing - 8.0%
4. Computer systems design and related services - 6.0%
5. Machinery manufacturing - 5.0%
6. Retail trade - 4.0%
7. Fabricated metal product manufacturing - 4.0%
What education do I need?
1. To be a technical specialist, you need a university degree or college diploma in a program related to the product/service being sold.
2. You may need experience in sales or in a technical occupation related to the product/service being sold.
3. You may need fluency in a specific foreign language and foreign work or travel experience to obtain employment with a company that imports/exports technical goods/services.
4. To be a technical sales supervisor, you need experience as a technical sales specialist.
5. With additional training or experience, you may move up the ranks to become a sales manager.
6. Most recent entrants have an undergraduate university degree, and almost 3 in 10 have a community college diploma.
High School Subject that will help:
1. English
2. Business
3. Marketing
4. Computer-related courses
What can you expect to make:
The average hourly wages for Technical Sales Specialists - Wholesale Trade is $20.95/HR, which is above average for occupations in the sale and service sector and are close to the average for all technical, professional, and skilled occupations. These wages grew at an average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Average Wage
Expected Wage by Age
Unemployment:
2% of Technical Sales Specialists - Wholesale Trade are unemployed. This rate is close to the average for technical, professional, and skilled occupations.
Unemployment
Trends in Unemployment
Current Job Outlook:
The job outlook for Technical Sales Specialists - Wholesale Trade is considered Average because:
1. Employment grew at an average rate.
2. Hourly wages ($20.95) are close to the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is close to the average.
3. The unemployment rate (2%) is close to the 2004 average (7%).
Future Job Prospects:
Your job outlook will continue to be Average because:
1. The employment growth rate will likely be above average because reductions in business tax rates and low interest rates should boost corporate profits and increase business spending on scientific telecommunications and computer products/services.
2. Although the retirement rate will likely be average, the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings.
3. The number of job openings will likely exceed the number of job seekers. This will not be significant enough to have an impact on the work prospects.
Highest Concetration:
The highest concentrations Technical Sales Specialists - Wholesale Trade are found in Alberta and Quebec while the lowest concentrations are in Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.
Useful Experience:
1. Selling
2. Communication skills
3. Specialized knowledge of scientific, industrial, telecommunication or computer products/services
Part Time Workers
Part time workers:
6% of Technical Sales Specialists - Wholesale Trade are employed only on a part-time basis. There were 122,000 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 18% since 1997.
Age Demographics
Age Demographics:
The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be average reflecting the age/retirement structure of the occupation.
