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How a retail salesperson can use AI, task by task

O*NET 41-2031.00: Retail SalespersonsMedian pay $35,410/year (BLS, May 2025)24 tasksJob Zone 2: Some preparation

Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Car Salesman, Customer Assistant, Retail Salesperson, Sales Associate, Sales Clerk, Sales Consultant, Sales Person, Sales Representative, Salesman.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 21%AI-assist 42%Stays human 38%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 5 AI-ready, 11 AI-assist and 8 human-led tasks out of 24. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork
Thinking & planning
People & communication
Leading & teaching
Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🗓 Start here on Monday

The most frequent, most important tasks where AI can help right away.

  1. Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.Answer questions · Several times a day
  2. Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.Answer questions · Several times a day
  3. Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.Stay sharp · Several times a day

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

  1. Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.Be there for people · Several times a day
  2. Prepare merchandise for purchase or rental.Hands-on work · Several times a day
  3. Ticket, arrange, and display merchandise to promote sales.Hands-on work · Daily

Skills to build & where you could move ↓

🔒 Many of these tasks involve people's information. Remove names and identifying details before using AI, or use only a tool your employer has approved.

AI can draft these 5

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.

Several times a day

AI is a patient tutor for new rules and techniques.

Show prompt & steps

AI is a patient personal tutor. It explains new rules, techniques and technology at your level, quizzes you and builds a study plan.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.

Context: The work draws on sales and marketing, customer and personal service and administrative.
Area: [store policies, real estate law, fair housing]
Situations I face: [returns, showings, disclosures]

Explain the rules that apply to each situation and quiz me with realistic scenarios. Use examples from my line of work, quiz me with 5 questions one at a time, and list trustworthy sources.

10-minute exercise: Policy and law refresher

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies.
Step 2Fill in [Area] and [Situations I face] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Confirm anything uncertain with your manager or the official rule.

AI's knowledge has a cutoff date. For new regulations and standards, always confirm against the official source.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Review laws or regulations to maintain professional knowledge..

Maintain records related to sales.

Daily

AI handles forms, records and routine paperwork for you to verify.

Show prompt & steps

Forms, records, data entry, scheduling and routine paperwork are where AI saves the most time. It drafts, sorts, extracts and reformats while you verify.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to maintain records related to sales.

Context: We use Intuit QuickBooks and Sage 50 Accounting.
Records: [paste purchases, sales, requisitions]
Format: [ledger, spreadsheet]

Organize into a clean record with totals by category. Point out anything missing or inconsistent and suggest a template I can reuse.

10-minute exercise: Sales and purchase records

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you maintain records to sales (today).
Step 2Fill in [Records] and [Format] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Reconcile totals with receipts or the register.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

Importance 4.6/5 · O*NET work activity: Maintain records of sales or other business transactions..

Open and close cash registers, performing tasks such as counting money, separating charge slips, coupons, and vouchers, balancing cash drawers, and making deposits.

Several times a day

AI finds trends and writes the spreadsheet formulas.

Show prompt & steps

Paste a spreadsheet or table and ask AI to find trends, outliers and totals, or to write the formula you need. It's like having an analyst on call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to open and close cash registers, performing tasks such as counting money, separating charge slips, coupons, and vouchers, balancing cash drawers, and making deposits.

Context: We use Intuit QuickBooks and Sage 50 Accounting; the work draws on sales and marketing, customer and personal service and administrative.
Records: [paste sales, cash counts, expenses]
Expected: [totals, system reports]

Reconcile and list differences with likely causes. Give formulas. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Reconcile transactions

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you open and close cash registers.
Step 2Fill in [Records] and [Expected] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest. Recompute every total yourself.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 4.4/5 · O*NET work activity: Reconcile records of sales or other financial transactions..

Prepare sales slips or sales contracts.

Several times a day

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to prepare sales slips or sales contracts.

Context: We use Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft SharePoint.
Deal: [booking, rental, sale]
Terms: [parties' roles, price, dates, payment, cancellation]

Draft a clear contract with standard sections and blanks to fill. Flag clauses that need legal review.

10-minute exercise: Contract draft

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare sales slips or sales contracts.
Step 2Fill in [Deal] and [Terms] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Have anything unusual reviewed by a lawyer before signing. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Importance 4.3/5 · O*NET work activity: Prepare sales or other contracts..

Place special orders or call other stores to find desired items.

Weekly

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to place special orders or call other stores to find desired items.

Context: We use Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft SharePoint.
Deal: [booking, rental, sale]
Terms: [parties' roles, price, dates, payment, cancellation]

Draft a clear contract with standard sections and blanks to fill. Flag clauses that need legal review.

10-minute exercise: Contract draft

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you place special orders (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Deal] and [Terms] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Have anything unusual reviewed by a lawyer before signing.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare sales or other contracts..

AI can help you prep these 11

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.

Several times a day

AI builds you an answer bank; exceptions and the human touch are yours.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 44% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Build a personal answer bank with AI for the questions you get every day. In the moment, the human touch and the judgment about exceptions are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.

Context: We use Salesforce software and Microsoft Dynamics; the work draws on sales and marketing, customer and personal service and administrative.
Customer needs: [describe]
Options: [products, treatments]

Write honest recommendations with pros and cons. Keep answers to 2-3 sentences and flag any that depend on the situation.

10-minute exercise: Recommendations

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you recommend, select, and help locate. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Customer needs] and [Options] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the answers you'd actually use and tweak each one the first time you send it.

Don't paste customers' personal details into AI tools. Describe the situation instead.

Importance 4.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Recommend products or services to customers..

Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.

Several times a day

AI builds you an answer bank; exceptions and the human touch are yours.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 69% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Build a personal answer bank with AI for the questions you get every day. In the moment, the human touch and the judgment about exceptions are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.

Context: We use Salesforce software and Microsoft Dynamics; the work draws on sales and marketing, customer and personal service and administrative.
Product or service: [insurance, publication]
Questions: [list]

Write clear answers. Keep answers to 2-3 sentences and flag any that depend on the situation.

10-minute exercise: Product question answers

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
Step 2Fill in [Product or service] and [Questions] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the answers you'd actually use and tweak each one the first time you send it.

Don't paste customers' personal details into AI tools. Describe the situation instead.

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Answer customer questions about goods or services..

Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.

Several times a day

AI helps you prepare clearer wording and likely questions.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 35% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to prepare: simpler wording, analogies, likely questions and a one-page handout. The conversation itself is yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.

Context: The work draws on sales and marketing, customer and personal service and administrative.
Situation: [complaint or question, no names]
Policy and options: [what we can offer]

Draft a response that acknowledges, explains and offers a solution. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

10-minute exercise: Resolve a customer question or complaint

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you describe merchandise. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Situation] and [Policy and options] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Make sure the offer is within your authority.

Rules, prices and policies change. Make sure AI is working from your current official version.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Explain technical product or service information to customers.. Also involves: Advise customers on the use of products or services..

Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.

Several times a day

AI preps the paperwork; approving and paying stay with you.

Show prompt & steps

AI can prep the paperwork, extract details from documents and make checklists. Approving, paying and verifying stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.

Context: We use Intuit QuickBooks and Sage 50 Accounting.
Transactions: [payments, returns, exchanges]
Policy: [describe]

Make a quick-reference guide. Point out anything missing or inconsistent and suggest a template I can reuse.

10-minute exercise: Transactions and returns

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you compute sales prices.
Step 2Fill in [Transactions] and [Policy] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the template and use it on the next one. Time both. Recompute every total yourself.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 4.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Process sales or other transactions.. Also involves: Calculate costs of goods or services..

Inventory stock and requisition new stock.

Weekly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to inventory stock and requisition new stock.

Context: We use Intuit QuickBooks and Sage 50 Accounting; the work draws on sales and marketing, customer and personal service and administrative.
Inventory: [warehouse, purchases]
Data: [paste levels, costs, deliveries]

Analyze levels, flag low or excess stock, and give reorder formulas. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Inventory monitoring

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you inventory stock (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Inventory] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check flagged items with a physical count.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Monitor inventories of products or materials.. Also involves: Purchase stocks of merchandise or supplies..

Exchange merchandise for customers and accept returns.

Daily

AI preps the paperwork; approving and paying stay with you.

Show prompt & steps

AI can prep the paperwork, extract details from documents and make checklists. Approving, paying and verifying stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to exchange merchandise for customers and accept returns.

Context: We use Intuit QuickBooks and Sage 50 Accounting.
Transactions: [payments, returns, exchanges]
Policy: [describe]

Make a quick-reference guide. Point out anything missing or inconsistent and suggest a template I can reuse.

10-minute exercise: Transactions and returns

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you exchange merchandise (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Transactions] and [Policy] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the template and use it on the next one. Time both.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Process sales or other transactions..

Sell or arrange for delivery, insurance, financing, or service contracts for merchandise.

Daily

AI preps the paperwork; approving and paying stay with you.

Show prompt & steps

AI can prep the paperwork, extract details from documents and make checklists. Approving, paying and verifying stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to sell or arrange for delivery, insurance, financing, or service contracts for merchandise.

Context: We use Intuit QuickBooks and Sage 50 Accounting.
Items: [describe]
Destinations: [describe]

Organize a delivery schedule and confirmations. Point out anything missing or inconsistent and suggest a template I can reuse.

10-minute exercise: Delivery arrangements

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you sell or arrange for delivery and insurance (today).
Step 2Fill in [Items] and [Destinations] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the template and use it on the next one. Time both. Recompute every total yourself.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 4.0/5 · O*NET work activity: Arrange delivery of goods or services.. Also involves: Sell products or services..

Estimate and quote trade-in allowances.

Daily

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to estimate and quote trade-in allowances.

Context: We use Intuit QuickBooks and Sage 50 Accounting; the work draws on sales and marketing, customer and personal service and administrative.
Sale: [trade-in, materials needed, terms]
Inputs: [measurements, prices, condition]

Calculate quantities and price with formulas and a quote summary. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Sales quote calculation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you estimate and quote trade-in allowances (today).
Step 2Fill in [Sale] and [Inputs] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 4.2/5 · O*NET work activity: Estimate costs or terms of sales..

Estimate quantity and cost of merchandise required, such as paint or floor covering.

Daily

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to estimate quantity and cost of merchandise required, such as paint or floor covering.

Context: We use Intuit QuickBooks and Sage 50 Accounting; the work draws on sales and marketing, customer and personal service and administrative.
Sale: [trade-in, materials needed, terms]
Inputs: [measurements, prices, condition]

Calculate quantities and price with formulas and a quote summary. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Sales quote calculation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you estimate quantity and cost of merchandise (today).
Step 2Fill in [Sale] and [Inputs] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest. Recompute every total yourself.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 3.8/5 · O*NET work activity: Estimate costs or terms of sales..

Estimate cost of repair or alteration of merchandise.

Weekly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to estimate cost of repair or alteration of merchandise.

Context: We use Intuit QuickBooks and Sage 50 Accounting; the work draws on sales and marketing, customer and personal service and administrative.
Sale: [trade-in, materials needed, terms]
Inputs: [measurements, prices, condition]

Calculate quantities and price with formulas and a quote summary. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Sales quote calculation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you estimate cost of repair or alteration of merchandise (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Sale] and [Inputs] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest. Recompute every total yourself.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 3.2/5 · O*NET work activity: Estimate costs or terms of sales..

Rent merchandise to customers.

Weekly

AI preps the paperwork; approving and paying stay with you.

Show prompt & steps

AI can prep the paperwork, extract details from documents and make checklists. Approving, paying and verifying stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to rent merchandise to customers.

Context: We use Intuit QuickBooks and Sage 50 Accounting.
Service: [laundry, shipping, repairs]
Details: [describe]

List arrangement steps and a confirmation note. Point out anything missing or inconsistent and suggest a template I can reuse.

10-minute exercise: Arrange patron services

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you rent merchandise (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Service] and [Details] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the template and use it on the next one. Time both.

Personal, financial and health data shouldn't go into AI tools unless your employer has approved one for it.

Importance 3.3/5 · O*NET work activity: Arrange services or reservations for patrons..

These stay human 8

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Contact with others: constant contact with others · Face-to-face discussions: every day · Dealing with the public: extremely important · Frequency of decisions: once a week or more but not every day

Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.

Several times a day

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.

Context: The work draws on sales and marketing, customer and personal service and administrative.
Setting: [clinic, store, office]
What comes next: [check-in, finding items]

Write warm greetings and how to handle busy moments. Then play a visitor. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Greeting script

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Setting] and [What comes next] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

📊 People already use AI around this task (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026). The task itself stays human-led.

Importance 4.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Greet customers, patrons, or visitors.. Also involves: Gather customer or product information to determine customer needs..

Prepare merchandise for purchase or rental.

Several times a day

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to prepare merchandise for purchase or rental.

Context: The work draws on sales and marketing, customer and personal service and administrative.
Products: [describe]
Space: [shelves, table, window]

Plan layout, pricing and restock. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Display set-up

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare merchandise.
Step 2Fill in [Products] and [Space] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Set up merchandise displays..

Ticket, arrange, and display merchandise to promote sales.

Daily

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to ticket, arrange, and display merchandise to promote sales.

Context: The work draws on sales and marketing, customer and personal service and administrative.
Products: [describe]
Space: [shelves, table, window]

Plan layout, pricing and restock. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Display set-up

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you ticket, arrange, and display merchandise (today).
Step 2Fill in [Products] and [Space] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Set up merchandise displays..

Demonstrate use or operation of merchandise.

Daily

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to demonstrate use or operation of merchandise.

Context: The work draws on sales and marketing, customer and personal service and administrative.
Product: [describe]
Audience: [describe]

Prepare a demo script and answers to questions. Then play a skeptical customer. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Product demonstration

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you demonstrate use or operation of merchandise (today).
Step 2Fill in [Product] and [Audience] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Rehearse the demo with the real product.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Demonstrate products to consumers..

Watch for and recognize security risks and thefts and know how to prevent or handle these situations.

Daily

Needs your eyes on site. AI can build the checklist and the report.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can build your inspection checklists, explain standards and turn your notes and photos into clean reports.

Prep prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to watch for and recognize security risks and thefts and know how to prevent or handle these situations.

Context: The work draws on sales and marketing, customer and personal service and administrative.
Work area: [store, cage, floor]
Rules: [security procedures]

List daily checks and what to do if something is wrong. Group it by area, say what 'good' and 'bad' look like for each item, and add a short template for writing up what I find.

10-minute exercise: Security rules check

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you watch for recognize security risks and thefts and know (today).
Step 2Fill in [Work area] and [Rules] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Take it with you next time, tick it alongside your usual routine, and add anything it missed.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Monitor work areas to provide security..

Bag or package purchases and wrap gifts.

Several times a day

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to bag or package purchases and wrap gifts.

Context: The work draws on sales and marketing, customer and personal service and administrative.
Products: [pharmaceuticals, purchases, gifts]
Rules: [labels, instructions]

List packaging and labelling steps and checks. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Package and label products

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you bag or package purchases.
Step 2Fill in [Products] and [Rules] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Have labels checked as required (e.g. by the pharmacist).

Importance 4.1/5 · O*NET work activity: Package materials or products..

Clean shelves, counters, and tables.

Daily

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to clean shelves, counters, and tables.

Context: The work draws on sales and marketing, customer and personal service and administrative.
Area: [booth, prep room, workspace]
Requirements: [standards, hazards]

Make an end-of-shift checklist. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Work area cleaning checklist

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you clean shelves, counters and tables (today).
Step 2Fill in [Area] and [Requirements] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Clean work areas..

Help customers try on or fit merchandise.

Daily

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a retail salesperson. Part of my job is to help customers try on or fit merchandise.

Context: The work draws on sales and marketing, customer and personal service and administrative.
Products: [describe]
Customer: [needs]

Prepare questions and fitting tips. Then play a customer. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Helping customers choose

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you help customers try (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Products] and [Customer] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 4.1/5 · O*NET work activity: Assist customers with product selection..

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Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

  • Monitoringimportance 3.0/5
    Used in: Assisting and Caring for Others

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

  • Active Listeningimportance 3.8/5
    Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
  • Reading Comprehensionimportance 3.0/5
    Used in: Performing Administrative Activities
  • Writingimportance 3.0/5
    Used in: Documenting/Recording Information
  • Speakingimportance 3.8/5
    Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

Getting into this job

High school diploma is most common (63% of workers)

  • High school or less 83%
  • Certificate or some college 3%
  • Associate's 10%
  • Bachelor's 4%
  • On-the-job training: 1–3 months
  • Related experience: 6–12 months

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values).

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