Parts Salespersons

What the job really is

Sell spare and replacement parts and equipment in repair shop or parts store.

At a glance

• Sector: Sales
• O*NET-SOC code: 41-2022
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Receive payment or obtain credit authorization.
• Assist customers, such as responding to customer complaints and updating them about back-ordered parts.
• Fill customer orders from stock, and place orders when requested items are out of stock.
• Receive and fill telephone orders for parts.
• Locate and label parts, and maintain inventory of stock.
• Prepare sales slips or sales contracts.
• Read catalogs, microfiche viewers, or computer displays to determine replacement part stock numbers and prices.
• Determine replacement parts required, according to inspections of old parts, customer requests, or customers' descriptions of malfunctions.
• Examine returned parts for defects, and exchange defective parts or refund money.
• Manage shipments by researching shipping methods or costs and tracking packages.
• Mark and store parts in stockrooms, according to prearranged systems.
• Maintain and clean work and inventory areas.

Tools and technology

Adobe Acrobat, Inventory control system software, Inventory management systems, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, SAP software, Computer laser printers, Customer information databases, Digital still cameras

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Counter and Rental Clerks
• Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
• Retail Salespersons
• Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
• Stockers and Order Fillers
• Home Appliance Repairers
• Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants
• Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Parts Salespersons — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.