Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
Also called: sales, rep, salesperson, account representative, customer account technician
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, product uses, and credit terms
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products work
5 of 10 main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Red (lots of AI use) — 50% when main tasks are weighted. This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, product uses, and credit terms (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Monitor market conditions, product innovations, and competitors' products, prices, and sales (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Recommend products to customers, based on customers' needs and interests (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Identify prospective customers by using business directories, following leads from existing clients, participating in organizations and clubs, and attending trade shows and conferences (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Prepare sales contracts and order forms (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Estimate or quote prices, credit or contract terms, warranties, and delivery dates (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Consult with clients after sales or contract signings to resolve problems and to provide ongoing support (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Provide customers with product samples and catalogs (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Perform administrative duties (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Contact regular and prospective customers to demonstrate products, explain product features, and solicit orders (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Prepare drawings, estimates, and bids that meet specific customer needs — some recorded AI use
- Plan, assemble, and stock product displays in retail stores, or make recommendations to retailers regarding product displays, promotional programs, and advertising — some recorded AI use
- Negotiate details of contracts and payments — some recorded AI use
- Negotiate with retail merchants to improve product exposure — no recorded AI use
- Check stock levels and reorder merchandise as necessary — no recorded AI use
- Obtain credit information about prospective customers — no recorded AI use
- Forward orders to manufacturers — no recorded AI use
- Arrange and direct delivery and installation of products and equipment — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, product uses, and credit terms”. Try the prompt for: “Monitor market conditions, product innovations, and competitors' products, prices, and sales”.
- Weeks 3–4: Make it a habit. Use AI 3 times a week for 15 minutes. Always check facts, numbers and names yourself.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
Will AI replace sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 5 of the 10 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Red rating (lots of AI use). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 10 of the 18 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which sales tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, product uses, and credit terms; monitor market conditions, product innovations, and competitors' products, prices, and sales; prepare drawings, estimates, and bids that meet specific customer needs.
Which sales tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: estimate or quote prices, credit or contract terms, warranties, and delivery dates; consult with clients after sales or contract signings to resolve problems and to provide ongoing support; provide customers with product samples and catalogs. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 88% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a sales start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.