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How a sales engineer can use AI, task by task

O*NET 41-9031.00: Sales EngineersMedian pay $124,900/year (BLS, May 2025)25 tasksJob Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Business Development Engineer, Inside Sales Engineer, Product Sales Engineer, Sales Applications Engineer, Sales Engineer, Technical Marketing Engineer, Technical Sales Engineer.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 32%AI-assist 64%Stays human 4%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 7 AI-ready, 17 AI-assist and 1 human-led tasks out of 25. 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. Develop, present, or respond to proposals for specific customer requirements, including request for proposal responses and industry-specific solutions.Write it up · Weekly
  2. Collaborate with sales teams to understand customer requirements, to promote the sale of company products, and to provide sales support.Coordinate & message · Weekly
  3. Keep informed on industry news and trends, products, services, competitors, relevant information about legacy, existing, and emerging technologies, and the latest product-line developments.Look into it · Weekly

💪 Lean into these

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

  1. Visit prospective buyers at commercial, industrial, or other establishments to show samples or catalogs, and to inform them about product pricing, availability, and advantages.Be there for people · Monthly

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 7

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

Keep informed on industry news and trends, products, services, competitors, relevant information about legacy, existing, and emerging technologies, and the latest product-line developments.

Weekly

AI maps out the topic and options; confirm with real sources.

Show prompt & steps

AI is a fast research assistant. Ask it to map out a topic, compare options or list what to check. Use a tool with web search and ask for its sources.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a sales engineer. Part of my job is to keep informed on industry news and trends, products, services, competitors, relevant information about legacy, existing, and emerging technologies, and the latest product-line developments.

Context: The work draws on sales and marketing, engineering and technology and design.
Market: [industry, products, region]
What I need: [demand, prices, competitors]

Summarize recent trends, signals to watch, and reliable sources to track monthly. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Market watch brief

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you keep informed on industry news and trends, products and services (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Market] and [What I need] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Run it with a web-search AI tool.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Monitor market conditions or trends..

Document account activities, generate reports, and keep records of business transactions with customers and suppliers.

Weekly

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

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 61% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

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 sales engineer. Part of my job is to document account activities, generate reports, and keep records of business transactions with customers and suppliers.

Context: We use SAP software and Oracle PeopleSoft.
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 document account activities (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Records] and [Format] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Reconcile totals with receipts or the register. 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 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Maintain records of sales or other business transactions..

Create sales or service contracts for products or services.

Weekly

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

📊 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

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 sales engineer. Part of my job is to create sales or service contracts for products or services.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Word.
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 create sales or service contracts (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. 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 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare sales or other contracts..

Research and identify potential customers for products or services.

Weekly

AI finds trends and writes the spreadsheet formulas.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 77% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person. This label was updated from real usage data.

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 sales engineer. Part of my job is to research and identify potential customers for products or services.

Context: We use Microsoft Excel; the work draws on sales and marketing, engineering and technology and design.
Offer: [product, fund, service]
Ideal customer: [traits]
Data: [paste leads or market info]

Score and rank prospects, and suggest where to find more. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Prospect list

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you research and identify potential customers (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Offer], [Ideal customer] and [Data] 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 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Identify potential customers..

Maintain sales forecasting reports.

Monthly

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 sales engineer. Part of my job is to maintain sales forecasting reports.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Word.
Report: [budget, expense, financial summary]
Figures and context: [paste numbers, notes]
Audience: [board, manager, regulator]

Draft the report with a summary, tables, variances explained and next steps. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Financial or budget report

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you maintain sales forecasting reports.
Step 2Fill in [Report], [Figures and context] and [Audience] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute every total and check each variance explanation against the books.

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

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets..

Develop sales plans to introduce products in new markets.

A few times a year

AI drafts the plan, schedule or checklist for you to adjust.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 42% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Describe the goal, the people and the constraints, and AI drafts the plan, schedule or checklist. You adjust it to what you know about real life on the ground.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a sales engineer. Part of my job is to develop sales plans to introduce products in new markets.

Context: We use Microsoft Project and Microsoft Teams; the work draws on sales and marketing, engineering and technology and design.
Product or position: [what we're promoting]
Target audience and budget: [who, how much]

Draft a plan with positioning, channels, timeline, budget split and KPIs. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Marketing plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop sales plans to introduce products in new markets.
Step 2Fill in [Product or position] and [Target audience and budget].
Step 3Sanity-check the budget split against last year's results.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 3.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop marketing plans or strategies..

Write technical documentation for products.

Monthly

AI turns complex material into plain-language handouts.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 50% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI is great at turning complicated material into plain-language guides, handouts, FAQs and how-tos for a specific audience. You check it's accurate.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a sales engineer. Part of my job is to write technical documentation for products.

Context: The work draws on sales and marketing, engineering and technology and design.
Topic: [traffic, test findings]
Data: [paste]

Draft the report. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

10-minute exercise: Operational report

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you write technical documentation.
Step 2Fill in [Topic] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every answer is right for your workplace before you share it.

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

Importance 3.2/5 · O*NET work activity: Prepare technical or operational reports..

AI can help you prep these 17

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

Develop, present, or respond to proposals for specific customer requirements, including request for proposal responses and industry-specific solutions.

Weekly

AI drafts the structure and wording; the specifics and sign-off are yours.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 36% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft the structure and standard wording. The specifics, the judgment calls and the sign-off are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a sales engineer. Part of my job is to develop, present, or respond to proposals for specific customer requirements, including request for proposal responses and industry-specific solutions.

Context: We use Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Word.
Customer need: [project, solar install]
Offer: [scope, price, timeline]

Draft a proposal with scope, pricing table, terms and next steps. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Customer proposal

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop, present, or respond to proposals (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Customer need] and [Offer] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere.

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

Importance 4.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop proposals for current or prospective customers..

Collaborate with sales teams to understand customer requirements, to promote the sale of company products, and to provide sales support.

Weekly

AI drafts clear messages and talking points.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft updates, emails and talking points so your message is clear and complete. Relationships and real-time calls are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a sales engineer. Part of my job is to collaborate with sales teams to understand customer requirements, to promote the sale of company products, and to provide sales support.

Context: We use Microsoft Teams.
Market information: [prices, volumes, conditions]
Audience: [colleagues, customers]

Draft a concise update. Keep it under 150 words with a clear ask, plus a 2-sentence version for chat.

10-minute exercise: Market update

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you collaborate with sales teams (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Market information] and [Audience] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Edit it until it sounds like you, then send it yourself.

Never let AI send messages for you. Read every word, because tone mistakes cost trust.

Importance 4.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Share sales-related or market information with colleagues..

Confer with customers and engineers to assess equipment needs and to determine system requirements.

Weekly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 77% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a sales engineer. Part of my job is to confer with customers and engineers to assess equipment needs and to determine system requirements.

Context: The work draws on sales and marketing, engineering and technology and design.
Customers: [type, what they buy]
What I've heard: [feedback, complaints, requests]

Group the needs into themes, suggest questions to dig deeper, and actions for each theme. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Understand customer needs

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you confer with customers and engineers (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Customers] and [What I've heard] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Ask one customer the deeper questions this week.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Gather customer or product information to determine customer needs.. Also involves: Discuss design or technical features of products or services with technical personnel..

Identify resale opportunities and support them to achieve sales plans.

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 sales engineer. Part of my job is to identify resale opportunities and support them to achieve sales plans.

Context: We use Microsoft Excel; the work draws on sales and marketing, engineering and technology and design.
Offer: [product, fund, service]
Ideal customer: [traits]
Data: [paste leads or market info]

Score and rank prospects, and suggest where to find more. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Prospect list

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you identify resale opportunities (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Offer], [Ideal customer] and [Data] 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 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Identify potential customers..

Plan and modify product configurations to meet customer needs.

Weekly

AI lays out options and timelines to react to.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 58% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can lay out options, timelines and checklists to react to. Fitting it to your people, budget and situation is your call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a sales engineer. Part of my job is to plan and modify product configurations to meet customer needs.

Context: We use Microsoft Project and Microsoft Teams; the work draws on sales and marketing, engineering and technology and design.
Improvement: [design, process, cost]
Constraints: [safety, environment, budget]

Plan implementation with steps and metrics. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Improvement implementation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you plan and modify product configurations (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Improvement] and [Constraints] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Cross out anything that won't work on the ground and ask AI to revise with your corrections.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Implement design or process improvements..

Sell products requiring extensive technical expertise and support for installation and use, such as material handling equipment, numerical-control machinery, or computer systems.

Daily

AI preps talking points and practice; the relationship is yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps you: talking points, objection handling, tailored outreach and negotiation scenarios. The relationship and reading the room are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a sales engineer. Part of my job is to sell products requiring extensive technical expertise and support for installation and use, such as material handling equipment, numerical-control machinery, or computer systems.

Context: We use Salesforce software; the work draws on sales and marketing, engineering and technology and design.
What I'm selling: [products, services, memberships]
Customer: [type, needs]

Prepare a pitch, questions and honest answers to objections. Keep claims honest, list likely objections with responses, and role-play the other side so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Sales conversation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you sell products requiring extensive technical expertise (today).
Step 2Fill in [What I'm selling] and [Customer] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Ask for feedback on your answers and write down your best line for the real conversation.

Make sure every claim AI writes about your product is true and allowed. Over-promising is on you.

Importance 4.6/5 · O*NET work activity: Sell products or services..

Secure and renew orders and arrange delivery.

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 sales engineer. Part of my job is to secure and renew orders and arrange delivery.

Context: We use SAP software and Oracle PeopleSoft.
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 secure and renew orders (this week).
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.

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

Importance 3.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Arrange delivery of goods or services.. Also involves: Sell products or services..

Recommend improved materials or machinery to customers, documenting how such changes will lower costs or increase production.

Weekly

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

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 sales engineer. Part of my job is to recommend improved materials or machinery to customers, documenting how such changes will lower costs or increase production.

Context: We use Salesforce software; the work draws on sales and marketing, engineering and technology and design.
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 improved materials or machinery (this week). 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.

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

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Recommend products or services to customers.. Also involves: Explain financial information to customers..

Prepare and deliver technical presentations that explain products or services to customers and prospective customers.

Monthly

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 32% 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 sales engineer. Part of my job is to prepare and deliver technical presentations that explain products or services to customers and prospective customers.

Context: The work draws on sales and marketing, engineering and technology and design.
Audience: [customers: what they already know and what worries them]
Topic: [paste the details about technical presentations]

Help me explain this to customers: (1) a 3-sentence plain-language version, (2) one everyday analogy, (3) the 5 questions they're most likely to ask, with short answers, (4) a one-page handout.

10-minute exercise: One-page explainer: technical presentations

Step 1Think of what customers ask you most about technical presentations. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Paste the official wording into [Topic] and describe them honestly in [Audience].
Step 3Check every answer is right for your workplace, then try the 3-sentence version on the next customer who asks.

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

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Deliver promotional presentations to current or prospective customers.. Also involves: Develop content for sales presentations or other materials.; Explain technical product or service information to customers..

Provide technical and non-technical support and services to clients or other staff members regarding the use, operation, and maintenance of equipment.

Weekly

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 59% 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 sales engineer. Part of my job is to provide technical and non-technical support and services to clients or other staff members regarding the use, operation, and maintenance of equipment.

Context: We use Salesforce software; the work draws on sales and marketing, engineering and technology and design.
Product or service: [describe]
Common questions: [list]

Write follow-up advice and tips. Keep answers to 2-3 sentences and flag any that depend on the situation.

10-minute exercise: Usage advice

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you provide technical and non-technical support and services (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Product or service] and [Common 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 3.7/5 · O*NET work activity: Advise customers on the use of products or services..

Arrange for demonstrations or trial installations of equipment.

Monthly

AI preps talking points and practice; the relationship is yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps you: talking points, objection handling, tailored outreach and negotiation scenarios. The relationship and reading the room are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a sales engineer. Part of my job is to arrange for demonstrations or trial installations of equipment.

Context: We use Salesforce software; the work draws on sales and marketing, engineering and technology and design.
Offer: [service]
Prospects: [type]

Draft an outreach message and call script. Keep claims honest, list likely objections with responses, and role-play the other side so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Prospecting outreach

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you arrange for demonstrations or trial installations of equipment.
Step 2Fill in [Offer] and [Prospects] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Ask for feedback on your answers and write down your best line for the real conversation.

Make sure every claim AI writes about your product is true and allowed. Over-promising is on you.

Importance 3.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Contact current or potential customers to promote products or services..

Attend trade shows and seminars to promote products or to learn about industry developments.

A few times a year

AI explains and quizzes you; confirm against official sources.

Show prompt & steps

AI can explain new developments and quiz you. Confirm what you learn against official sources.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a sales engineer. Part of my job is to attend trade shows and seminars to promote products or to learn about industry developments.

Context: The work draws on sales and marketing, engineering and technology and design.
Event: [trade show, seminar]
Goals: [products, contacts, skills]

Plan sessions to attend, questions to ask and a follow-up template. Use examples from my line of work, quiz me with 5 questions one at a time, and list trustworthy sources.

10-minute exercise: Get the most from an event

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you attend trade shows and seminars.
Step 2Fill in [Event] and [Goals] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check one claim against an official or professional source.

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

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Attend events to develop professional knowledge..

Train team members in the customer applications of technologies.

Monthly

AI preps the materials; reading the room is you.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps the materials: lesson outlines, quizzes, examples, practice scenarios. Reading the room and coaching people is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a sales engineer. Part of my job is to train team members in the customer applications of technologies.

Context: We use Microsoft PowerPoint; the work draws on sales and marketing, engineering and technology and design.
Skill: [difficult sales, objections]
Staff: [level]

Plan role-plays and coaching points. Include timings, a realistic practice scenario from my work, and a short check for understanding with answers.

10-minute exercise: Sales training

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you train team members. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Skill] and [Staff] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Swap one AI example for a real story from your own work. Real stories are what people remember.

Check that every procedure in the material matches your workplace's actual standards.

Importance 3.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Train sales personnel..

Attend company training seminars to become familiar with product lines.

A few times a year

AI explains and quizzes you; confirm against official sources.

Show prompt & steps

AI can explain new developments and quiz you. Confirm what you learn against official sources.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a sales engineer. Part of my job is to attend company training seminars to become familiar with product lines.

Context: The work draws on sales and marketing, engineering and technology and design.
Event: [trade show, seminar]
Goals: [products, contacts, skills]

Plan sessions to attend, questions to ask and a follow-up template. Use examples from my line of work, quiz me with 5 questions one at a time, and list trustworthy sources.

10-minute exercise: Get the most from an event

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you attend company training seminars.
Step 2Fill in [Event] and [Goals] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check one claim against an official or professional source.

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

Importance 3.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Attend events to develop professional knowledge..

Provide information needed for the development of custom-made machinery.

Monthly

AI drafts clear messages and talking points.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft updates, emails and talking points so your message is clear and complete. Relationships and real-time calls are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a sales engineer. Part of my job is to provide information needed for the development of custom-made machinery.

Context: We use Microsoft Azure software and Python.
Topic: [security, system design]
Who: [IT, architects]

Draft talking points and questions. Keep it under 150 words with a clear ask, plus a 2-sentence version for chat.

10-minute exercise: Technical discussion prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you provide information for the development of custom-made machinery.
Step 2Fill in [Topic] and [Who] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Edit it until it sounds like you, then send it yourself.

Never let AI send messages for you. Read every word, because tone mistakes cost trust.

Importance 3.7/5 · O*NET work activity: Discuss design or technical features of products or services with technical personnel..

Diagnose problems with installed equipment.

Monthly

AI suggests causes to test; the hands-on fix is yours.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 85% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI can suggest likely causes and a diagnostic order to try. Hands-on testing and the final fix are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a sales engineer. Part of my job is to diagnose problems with installed equipment.

Context: We use Linux and UNIX; the work draws on sales and marketing, engineering and technology and design.
Equipment or system: [audio-visual, installed equipment, software]
Symptoms: [what's happening]

Build a step-by-step troubleshooting tree from quickest checks to deeper tests. Rank causes from most to least likely with a quick test for each, and flag safety risks.

10-minute exercise: Troubleshooting tree

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you diagnose problems with installed equipment.
Step 2Fill in [Equipment or system] and [Symptoms] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Walk the tree on a real fault.

Never follow AI repair steps that bypass safety procedures, lockout/tagout or manufacturer guidance.

Importance 3.6/5 · O*NET work activity: Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems..

Report to supervisors about prospective firms' credit ratings.

A few times a year

AI drafts clear messages and talking points.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft updates, emails and talking points so your message is clear and complete. Relationships and real-time calls are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a sales engineer. Part of my job is to report to supervisors about prospective firms' credit ratings.

Market information: [prices, volumes, conditions]
Audience: [colleagues, customers]

Draft a concise update. Keep it under 150 words with a clear ask, plus a 2-sentence version for chat.

10-minute exercise: Market update

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you report to supervisors about prospective firms' credit ratings.
Step 2Fill in [Market information] and [Audience] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Edit it until it sounds like you, then send it yourself.

Never let AI send messages for you. Read every word, because tone mistakes cost trust.

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

Importance 2.6/5 · O*NET work activity: Share sales-related or market information with colleagues..

These stay human 1

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): Dealing with the public: extremely important · Contact with others: constant contact with others · Frequency of decisions: every day · Impact of decisions: important results

Visit prospective buyers at commercial, industrial, or other establishments to show samples or catalogs, and to inform them about product pricing, availability, and advantages.

Monthly

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 sales engineer. Part of my job is to visit prospective buyers at commercial, industrial, or other establishments to show samples or catalogs, and to inform them about product pricing, availability, and advantages.

Context: The work draws on sales and marketing, engineering and technology and design.
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 visit prospective buyers.
Step 2Fill in [Product] and [Audience] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Rehearse the demo with the real product.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Demonstrate products to consumers.. Also involves: Contact current or potential customers to promote products or services..

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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.

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 4.0/5
    Used in: Selling or Influencing Others
  • Critical Thinkingimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Writingimportance 3.8/5
    Used in: Documenting/Recording Information
  • Reading Comprehensionimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

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

Bachelor's degree is most common (57% of workers)

  • Certificate or some college 6%
  • Associate's 12%
  • Bachelor's 57%
  • Graduate degree 25%
  • On-the-job training: 6–12 months
  • Related experience: 4–6 years

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values). Some of these estimates are lower precision.

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

Amazon Web Services AWS softwareAnsible softwareApache CassandraApache HadoopApple iOSAtlassian JIRAAutodesk AutoCADBorder Gateway Protocol BGPCC++Dassault Systemes SolidWorksDocker

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