Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products

Skills

• Critical Thinking

  Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• Speaking

  Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Active Listening

  Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Judgment and Decision Making

  Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Negotiation

  Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Abilities

• Oral Expression

  The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

• Deductive Reasoning

  The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

• Oral Comprehension

  The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

• Speech Clarity

  The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

• Written Comprehension

  The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

• Bachelor's degree
  77 %
• High school diploma or equivalent
  8 %

  or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate

• Associate's degree
  8 %

Work Activities

• 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

  Analyzing 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.

• Communicating with People Outside the Organization

  Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Detailed Work Activities

• Purchase products or services.
• Execute sales or other financial transactions.
• Negotiate contracts with clients or service providers.
• Communicate with government agencies.
• Coordinate logistics or other business operations.

Work Interests

• Enterprising

  Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

• Conventional

  Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

• Realistic

  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.