Jobs for salespersons: From Kiel to Munich and almost always nearby

There are numerous job offers for sales assistants practically everywhere and at any time. Whether in Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart, Munich, or even Vienna, Austria or Zurich in Switzerland - part-time or full-time retail sales jobs are a dime a dozen. And most salespeople don't even have to relocate for this, as they can practically always find a job close to home. What's more, they have the option of choosing from a wide variety of industries.

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Part-time or full-time? Working time models and industries

After all, the opportunities for salespeople are extremely diverse - if you don't want to go to the grocery store, you can look for a job in the fashion industry or in a drugstore, for example. In addition, there are many other industries: 

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• Grocery store, supermarket
• Fashion store
• Salesman in the field
• Construction market
• Electronics store
• Sports store
• Car accessories
• Textile trade
• Publishing houses, book trade
• Department store and shopping center 
• Bicycle store
• Gas station
• Furniture stores
• Mail order
• Antiques trade
• Housewares store
• Agricultural supplies
• Pet Supplies
• Tobacco store
• Vinotheque
• Organic store
• Leather goods store
• Shoe store
• Watch and jewelry store
• ...

Given the large number of industries and jobs, it is not surprising that different working time models are also offered time and again. Whether it's a mini-job, part-time or full-time: Interested parties are often offered a variety of options here.

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The tasks of a salesman

Salespersons have a varying number of tasks depending on the industry and company. In most cases, however, in addition to pure sales activities, they are also responsible for accepting deliveries of goods, sorting and putting away products, and price labeling. They also check the quality of goods, monitor inventory levels and reorder products if necessary. In addition, they help plan and implement advertising and other sales promotion activities. 

On the sales floor, sales staff are available to advise customers and, during the checkout process, pay attention to the authenticity of the banknotes and the correct handling of the purchase transaction. The most important thing is that the customer gets the right change and is paid the right amount for the merchandise. If desired, the salesperson will also assist with cashless payments by card.

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Further training and promotion opportunities

In order to expand their own area of responsibility, it is worthwhile for sales staff to attend further training courses. They can also attend short training courses on individual topics such as negotiation techniques, decoration and product presentation, or employee management.

However, if you want to move up the hierarchy and financially, you should consider proper training. 

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Retail saleswoman or retail salesman

After the two-year apprenticeship as a salesperson, an additional year can be taken to become a retail salesperson. In this case, office tasks such as bookkeeping are also part of the duties to be performed. This also opens up the possibility of advancement to deputy or first salesman, store manager, department manager or central buyer in large companies.

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Commercial specialist or business administrator

To qualify as a commercial specialist, you need to attend a commercial school, which you have to do alongside your job. There, business administration is the main subject on the timetable, so that you are equipped to move up to higher positions such as sales manager or even management. 

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Commercial Business Administrator IHK

Another option for quickly becoming a manager is, after one year of work experience as a salesperson, to complete a full- or part-time course of further education to become an IHK Handelsbetriebswirt (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) at a technical college. After that, you can also study for a degree in retail management or even become self-employed. 

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FAQ

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about jobs as a salesperson.

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How much does a retail salesperson earn?

A retail salesperson can expect to earn an average gross monthly salary of €1,985 to €2,569. Hourly earnings in retail are slightly above the minimum wage at €12.73 on average. 

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What does a salesperson do?

Sales assistants have many different tasks. In addition to advising customers, they are often responsible for accepting deliveries of goods, sorting and putting away products, price labeling, quality testing, inventory, reordering, and planning and implementing sales promotion measures. 

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Where can you work as a salesperson?

In addition to grocery stores and the textile and fashion trade, salespersons also find work in almost all other branches of the retail trade, for example in furniture stores, DIY stores, electrical goods stores, household goods stores, bookstores, at gas stations, etc.

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