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Consultant, Product Demonstrator, Salesperson, Network Marketers
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Direct sellers sell goods or services to consumers. They are most often self-employed. They may travel to customers’ homes to make sales. They may also sell goods at fairs, trade shows, and booths in shopping malls.
Duties and responsibilities vary. In general, direct sellers:
Some direct sellers contact people by telephone, in person, on social media, or through online promotions. Others hold home parties for groups, also called “network marketing.”) Some do both. Others work with other direct sellers to staff booths at events and in shopping centres.
Those who sell in person:
Those who hold sales parties may do some or all of the above and also:
Most direct sellers work part time from their own homes. Some work full time. Their work involves travel to homes and other sales locations.
Those who hold sales parties most often do so on evenings and weekends when most customers are available. They then do the follow-up work from home as quickly as possible after the party.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Demonstrators and direct distributors
2023 OaSIS: 65109.01
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Direct sellers need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 96 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 28, 2021 and Oct 08, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Solicit sales and sell goods or services | 77 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Provide customer service | 63 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 51 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 48 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 46 |
| Experience: Will train | 44 |
| Tasks: Contact potential customers by phone | 40 |
| Construction Specialization: Dependability | 39 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 38 |
| Tasks: Show and describe goods or services | 38 |
There are no education or experience requirements. Having worked in customer service or sales is an asset. It can help to speak more than one language.
Some companies offer support to increase sales. This may include training programs, contests, or promotions. Training programs and materials are usually free or low cost.
Those thinking about direct sales should research any company they think of working for. This is very important if they need to spend money in advance. For example, they may need to buy samples to show customers. Factors to consider include:
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Direct sellers in Alberta require a direct selling business license from Service Alberta They may also need a municipal business licence.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Most direct sellers are self-employed. They operate the business from their home and pay their own travel expenses.
Advancement opportunities may take the form of more or better sales areas. Top sellers may earn promotions or bonuses.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Other sales related occupations
2016 NOC: 6623
76.7% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Direct sellers’ earnings vary from month to month and year to year because they are based on commission. Commissions may increase with sales volume.
In network marketing, direct sellers build a passive income stream on top of their own commissions. This is based on sales made by direct sellers they have recruited. The larger their network, the larger their income. This can sometimes help to level out their income over the year.
Updated Mar 31, 2022. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
