Online Merchants
O*NET files this work under Online Merchants: people who conduct retail activities of businesses operating exclusively online. With a code of CER, this is mostly a job for people drawn to orderly work with data, records and clear procedures. Enterprising interests also help, rated 5.8 out of 7. The preparation level is considerable preparation, typically a bachelor’s degree plus a period of work experience. O*NET’s skill data points to reading comprehension, speaking, and critical thinking as the ones to build. The job can ask you to fill customer orders by packaging sold items and documentation for direct shipping or by transferring orders to manufacturers or third-party distributors. It tends to suit people who want orderly work with data, records and clear procedures, and it offers little for anyone seeking research, analysis and working through hard problems.
What they do
Conduct retail activities of businesses operating exclusively online. May perform duties such as preparing business strategies, buying merchandise, managing inventory, implementing marketing activities, fulfilling and shipping online orders, and balancing financial records.
Main tasks
- Fill customer orders by packaging sold items and documentation for direct shipping or by transferring orders to manufacturers or third-party distributors.
- Receive and process payments from customers, using electronic transaction services.
- Create, manage, or automate orders or invoices, using order management or invoicing software.
- Deliver e-mail confirmation of completed transactions and shipment.
- Correspond with online customers via electronic mail, telephone, or other electronic messaging to address questions or complaints about products, policies, or shipping methods.
- Purchase new or used items from online or physical sources for resale via retail or auction Web site.
Skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Service Orientation
Who this career fits
May suit you if
- You like clear rules and getting the details right.
- You like taking the lead and making the call.
- You are ready to spend around four years on a degree, then build experience.
- You are comfortable relying on reading comprehension and speaking.
May not suit you if
- You get restless with routine, records and exact procedures.
- You want to spend most of your time analyzing and researching. Investigative rates 1.6 out of 7 here.
- You want to avoid a four-year degree or its equivalent.
Interest profile
O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code CER takes the three highest, and Conventional comes first here.
Preparation
Considerable preparation. Most jobs here ask for a bachelor’s degree, and employers usually expect a few years of related experience as well.
Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.
Also called
- Online Services Manager
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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.