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Technical sales specialists - wholesale trade (NOC 6221)

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Changes have been made to the method for estimating job prospects per occupation. To better reflect the reality of the job market and the new method of estimation, the prospect diagnostics have been modified. Thus, the possible diagnostics are now excellent, good, limited and not published. For more information about the meaning of each diagnostic, see the glossary.
Estimated hourly wage
in Québec (2017-2019)
Minimum 13.00$
Median 23.08$
Maximum 40.38$
Job prospect
(2019-2023)
Employment in 2018
15,000
Skill level
Technical (usually a college or secondary school vocational diploma)

Occupation related to information and communications technology

Nature of work

Technical sales specialists, wholesale trade, sell a range of technical goods and services, such as scientific, agricultural and industrial products, electricity, telecommunications services and computer services, to governments and to commercial and industrial establishments in domestic and international localities. They are employed by establishments that produce or provide technical goods and services, such as pharmaceutical companies, industrial equipment manufacturing companies, grain elevators, computer services firms, engineering firms and hydroelectric companies, or they may be self-employed technical sales specialists/agents who contract their services to other companies. Technical sales specialists who are supervisors are included in this unit group.

Main duties

  • Technical sales specialists perform some or all of the following duties:
  • - Promote sales to existing clients
  • - Identify and solicit potential clients
  • - Assess clients' needs and resources and recommend the appropriate goods or services
    • - Continued…
  • - Provide input into product design where goods or services must be tailored to suit clients' needs
  • - Develop reports and proposals as part of sales presentation to illustrate benefits from use of good or service
  • - Estimate costs of installing and maintaining equipment or service
  • - Prepare and administer sales contracts
  • - Consult with clients after sale to resolve problems and to provide ongoing support
  • - Troubleshoot technical problems related to equipment
  • - May train customers' staff in the operation and maintenance of equipment
  • - May conduct sales transactions through Internet-based electronic commerce
  • - May supervise the activities of other technical staff and sales specialists.
  • * Technical sales specialists usually specialize in a particular line of goods or services.

Employment requirements

  • * A university degree or college diploma in a program related to the product or service is usually required.
  • * Experience in sales or in a technical occupation related to the product or service may be required.
  • * Fluency in a specific foreign language, and/or foreign work or travel experience may be required for technical sales specialists seeking employment with companies that import or export technical goods or services.
  • * Technical sales supervisors require experience as a technical sales specialist.

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