Sales associates often work in department stores. They answering customers’ questions, solve product concerns, and sometimes act as cashiers. Sales associates can also work in fields like telemarketing and auto sales.

Sales associates often enter sales data into computers, so it is important that associates be comfortable working with computers. Sales associates can either work part-time or full-time, and the hours can vary from business to business. In some cases, associates can have irregular hours. Since sales associates are working directly with people, they should have excellent customer service skills and be able to communicate effectively with people of all personality types. Sales associates need to be punctual, positive, willing to help, outgoing, polite, willing to go "the extra mile" for customers, knowledgeable, able to work on their own, and ready to seek out customers who might need help.

Sales associates usually only need to have a high school diploma. However, some companies prefer associates to have some kind of background in sales, while others will hire high school students. There is usually room for advancement. Based on the type of business the associate is working for, further education and training may be needed. However, most sales associates only need on the job training to advance. (Copyright 2018 PayScale.com)

Sales Associate Tasks

• Process payment for products or service, may maintain customer preference records.
• Assist the customer in selecting products/services, answer questions and check for stock and availability.
• Attend special training of products/services to understand the product features, trends or styles of the products/services.
• Sell the organization's products/services to new or established customers typically via walk-in business.