Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

The Work

A salesperson is anyone who is employed to sell goods or services to people or to business. Sales people work in shops and in offices as well as travelling around to meet people in their homes or at their businesses.  
 
Salespeople working in shops are usually known as shop or retail assistants. They help customers choose products to buy. They also keep shelves and display areas stocked and take money from customers.  
 
Salespeople working in offices usually sell to customers by using the telephone. They sell all kinds of things, from advertising space in newspapers to double-glasing. They may have to find new customers by 'cold-calling'. That is, 'phoning people who haven't used the company's services before and telling them about the services.  
 
Travelling salespeople - people who travel around in cars or on foot - may make appointments to see people or may just turn up in the hope of seeing someone. They sell to customers at home and also to industry.  
 
Whatever type of selling is involved, sales people usually specialise in one product/service or type of product/service. They develop an extensive knowledge of this.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
• Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
• Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.
• Prepare merchandise for purchase or rental.
• Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
• Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
• Demonstrate use or operation of merchandise.
• Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.
• Ticket, arrange, and display merchandise to promote sales.
• Inventory stock and requisition new stock.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Apprenticeship Route

The official entry route for a Salesperson is through undertaking an apprenticeship.

Click here to find information on the Sales apprenticeship

Sales jobs qualifications vary for entry unless you are selling something very technical (in which case a relevant technical qualification is useful) or you want to work for a national media organisation (as they usually ask for degree or equivalent qualifications).    

Working in Unit, large retail, or detached sales is a useful way of getting experience. Shop work is open to anyone over sixteen, whereas for other sales roles.  

There are many routes to develop your skills, education, and training for a career in Sales: 

FET Centre Traineeship Sales & retail associate NFQ level 5 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Sales, Marketing, Commerce at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Sales NFQ level 6 Search Apprenticeships 

• To become an apprentice in Ireland you must be hired by an employer. Apprenticeship employers are formally approved by SOLAS in advance of employing apprentices. Apprentices get a formal contract of employment as part of their apprenticeship.

  To find an apprenticeship, you can search apprenticeship vacancies on the Apprenticeship Jobs Portal. You can search for vacancies by location and by apprenticeship.

  Your local Education and Training Board may hold details of employers seeking to employ an apprentice.

  This apprenticeship is managed by Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSL ETB). If you are interested in a sales specialist apprenticeship you should make contact with MSLETB via the contact details in the ‘Find Out More Section’ below.

  Full eligibility criteria for this apprenticeship are available in the Sales Specialist Apprenticeship brochure.

 APPRENTICE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Must be employed by a SOLAS ‘Approved Employer’ and registered as an apprentice

• Aged 18 or over

• Must have Grade O6/H7 or above in 5 Leaving Certificate subjects (including Maths F2/06/H7 along with English or Irish 06/H7) or a full QQI Level 5 or higher qualification

• International applicants must present the equivalent of a full Level 5 qualification or higher

• Apprentices for whom English is not a first language must demonstrate proficiency in English and hold a minimum of a B1 CEFR or recognised equivalent

• Mature applicants aged 21 years and over without a Level 5 qualification will also be considered following an interview and submission of supporting documentation

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €60k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role. Sales can also involve commission and on target earnings as part of a salary package. 

Data Source(s):
Sigmar/ Morgan McKinley/ Brightwater/ Abrivia/ Azon/ Clark/ Excel

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The negative growth rate for this occupation can be primarily attributed to changes to the LFS in 2017; employment levels have remained relatively unchanged in recent years.

The wholesale and retail sector accounts for the highest share of employment for this occupation, at 44%. Despite this, most of the employment permits issued were for the ICT sector, many requiring language skills. German, Spanish, French, and Dutch were the most frequently mentioned languages in the online job adverts; the postings for this occupation increased slightly (2%) in the year to 2022 but fell in the most recent quarter. Employers (through Spotlight on Skills) highlighted the need for ecommerce skills (i.e. selling via digital platforms) and technical knowledge. The data suggests that demand for business sales executive roles is particularly related to the ICT sector; however, as the ICT sector enters a restructuring phase, future demand for these roles is uncertain. ssues with filling vacancies for these roles will depend on the availability of candidates with specific skill combinations.

• Marketing Institute of Ireland (MII)

  • Marketing House, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18
  • (01) 295 2355
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• The Executive Institute

  • 30 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2,
  • (01) 662 6904
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here