10 Occupations where Selling or Influencing Others is a Key Activity

by Michael Davis

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Selling or influencing others, which involves convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions, is an activity that can be grouped under communicating and interacting. Other activities in this group include

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Assisting and Caring for Others
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

The occupations where selling or influencing others is a major activity are listed below.

Sales managers
Sales managers plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include coaching and developing others, communicating with persons outside organization, communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates, establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work and resolving conflicts and negotiating with others.
Median Annual Salary: $98,530 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 14.95%

Advertising sales agents
Advertising sales agents sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with persons outside organization, organizing, planning and and prioritizing work.
Median Annual Salary: $45,350 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 7.23%

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers where technical or scientific knowledge is required in such areas as biology, engineering, chemistry, and electronics, normally obtained from at least 2 years of post-secondary education. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with persons outside organization, communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates and establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships.
Median Annual Salary: $73,710 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 9.71%

Sales engineers
Sales engineers sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with persons outside organization, communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates, establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work, provide consultation and advice to others, thinking creatively and updating and using relevant knowledge.
Median Annual Salary: $87,390 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 8.83%

Chief executives
Chief executives determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with persons outside organization, communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates, coordinating the work and activities of others, developing objectives and strategies, establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships, getting information, guiding, directing, and motivating subordinates, making decisions and solving problems, monitoring and controlling resources, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work, provide consultation and advice to others, resolving conflicts and negotiating with others and thinking creatively.
Median Annual Salary: $165,080

Clergy
Clergy conduct religious worship and perform other spiritual functions associated with beliefs and practices of religious faith or denomination. Provide spiritual and moral guidance and assistance to members. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include assisting and caring for others, communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates, developing objectives and strategies, establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships, guiding, directing, and motivating subordinates, making decisions and solving problems, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work, performing for or working directly with the public, provide consultation and advice to others, resolving conflicts and negotiating with others, scheduling work and activities, thinking creatively, training and teaching others and updating and using relevant knowledge.
Median Annual Salary: $43,970 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 12.69%

Insurance sales agents
Insurance sales agents sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance. They may also refer clients to independent brokers, work as an independent broker, or be employed by an insurance company. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with persons outside organization, establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships and performing for or working directly with the public.
Median Annual Salary: $46,770 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 11.88%

Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes
Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers. They may also handle contract negotiation and other business matters for clients. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with persons outside organization, establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships and resolving conflicts and negotiating with others.
Median Annual Salary: $63,130 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 22.44%

Marketing managers
Marketing managers plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with persons outside organization, communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates, establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships, making decisions and solving problems, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work and thinking creatively.
Median Annual Salary: $112,800 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 12.48%

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold. The other activity that is most likely to be carried out by occupation is establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships.
Median Annual Salary: $52,440 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 6.57%