Market trader

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• working towards this role
• applying directly
• training with a business organisation

Entry requirements:

College

You could do a college course, which may help if you're setting up your own business.

Courses include:

• Level 1 Award in Principles of Business Start Up
• Level 2 Award in Setting Up Your Own Business
• Level 2 Certificate in Aspects of Preparing to Set Up in a New Business

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements:

Work

You could start by working on a stall part time or at car boot sales. You'll learn on the job from experienced traders, sharing their knowledge and watching their sales methods. Once you've got experience, you could apply to set up your own stall.

DirectApplication

You can contact your local council for information on licensing rules and how to apply for one of their market stall. For example, you may have to rent a stall on a casual basis before you can apply permanently.

OtherRoutes

You could contact your local further education college as they may run short self-employment courses. They can also direct you to community organisations in your local area that help people who want to start their own business.

If you're 18 to 30 years old, you may be able to find help and support to set up a business through the Prince's Trust .

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• customer service skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to sell products and services
• the ability to work well with others
• persuading and negotiating skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• sensitivity and understanding
• active listening skills
• a desire to help people
• maths knowledge
• the ability to read English
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• thinking and reasoning skills
• business management skills
• concentration skills
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software

What you'll do:

Market traders sell goods such as food, clothing and crafts and offer services like mobile phone repairs.

On a typical day you might:

• visit suppliers to buy products and agree prices
• unload your van and set up your stall
• encourage customers to buy
• take money for goods and give out change
• keep records of goods bought and sold
• pack up your stall at the end of each day
• work out if you need to buy more stock to sell

Location : You could work on a market stall.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

Salary:

Starter : variable
Experienced : variable

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

44 - 46 hours variable

Working Pattern is in your own business managing your own hours

Career Path:

You could expand your business by taking on more staff and starting up new stalls.

You could also move into market stall lettings and management.