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Outbound Sales Associate, Salesperson, Telephone Solicitor
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:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in comparing information to quote prices and follow a prepared sales talk
Interest in persuading customers by soliciting sales for goods and services
Interest in distributing sales orders to other workers for further processing; may develop lists of prospective customers from city and telephone directories
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Telemarketers may telephone businesses or private individuals to:
They may obtain names and telephone numbers from lists of previous customers or donors, reply cards from magazines, submissions from website surveys, lists obtained or purchased from other sources, telephone directories or internet searches.
Duties and responsibilities vary from one organization to another but, in general, telemarketers:
Telemarketers may work flexible hours from their own homes, or work shifts in an automated office environment. Evening and weekend work usually is required.
Telemarketers need:
They should enjoy taking a methodical approach to their work, persuading people and distributing information to other workers.
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 20 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 28, 2021 and Feb 08, 2023.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Solicit sales and sell goods or services | 10 |
|---|---|
| Personal Suitability: Excellent oral communication | 8 |
| Personal Suitability: Dependability | 8 |
| Personal Suitability: Reliability | 8 |
| Teleworking Information: On the road job | 8 |
| Solicit sales and sell goods or services | 7 |
| Provide customer service | 7 |
| Personal Suitability: Effective interpersonal skills | 7 |
| Tasks: Show and describe goods or services | 7 |
| Tasks: Contact potential customers by phone | 7 |
There are no minimum education requirements for telemarketers but most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.
The following are definite assets:
Telemarketers need to learn about the product or service they promote so they can talk about it confidently and answer questions correctly. Most employers offer in-house training programs.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
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.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Telemarketers work for:
Experienced telemarketers may advance to supervisory, training, quality assurance or script-writing positions. Telemarketers with additional education and leadership skills may advance to contact centre management positions.
Telemarketers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 6623: Other elemental sales occupations. In Alberta, 80% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 6623: Other sales related occupations occupational group is expected to have an average annual growth of 1.9% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 77 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
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 example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Telemarketers may be paid an hourly wage or work on commission. Earnings for those who work on commission may be higher but vary from month to month depending on how much they sell.
Updated Mar 31, 2021. 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.