Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

Skills

• Negotiation

  Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

• 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.

• Critical Thinking

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

• Persuasion

  Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

• Speaking

  Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension

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

• 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.

• Written Comprehension

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

• Problem Sensitivity

  The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Education

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

• Bachelor's degree
  35 %
• High school diploma or equivalent
  20 %

  or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate

• Less than high school diploma
  14 %

Work Activities

• Getting Information

  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

  Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

• Working with Computers

  Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

• Processing Information

  Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

  Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Detailed Work Activities

• Purchase stocks of merchandise or supplies.
• Negotiate contracts with clients or service providers.
• Discuss business strategies, practices, or policies with managers.
• Purchase products or services.
• Determine the value of goods or services.

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.