Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Persuasion

Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Negotiation

Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Time Management

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

Systems Analysis

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Management of Personnel Resources

Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

Management of Material Resources

Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work.

Management of Financial Resources

Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.

Systems Evaluation

Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Instructing

Teaching others how to do something.

Operations Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Quality Control Analysis

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Operation and Control

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Operations Analysis

Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.

Technology Design

Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Troubleshooting

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Programming

Writing computer programs for various purposes.

Repairing

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Equipment Maintenance

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Equipment Selection

Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Installation

Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Transportation

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Economics and Accounting

Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Sales and Marketing

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Food Production

Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.

Production and Processing

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Law and Government

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Geography

Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

Administrative

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Telecommunications

Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Communications and Media

Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Personnel and Human Resources

Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Mechanical

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Engineering and Technology

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Psychology

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Design

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Biology

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Building and Construction

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Sociology and Anthropology

Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.

History and Archeology

Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.

Physics

Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.

Chemistry

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Foreign Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.

Medicine and Dentistry

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Therapy and Counseling

Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Fine Arts

Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Philosophy and Theology

Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.

Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Mathematical Reasoning

The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Number Facility

The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.

Fluency of Ideas

The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

Originality

The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

Category Flexibility

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Far Vision

The ability to see details at a distance.

Selective Attention

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Time Sharing

The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).

Visual Color Discrimination

The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

Perceptual Speed

The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

Flexibility of Closure

The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

Memorization

The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.

Speed of Closure

The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.

Finger Dexterity

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Visualization

The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

Hearing Sensitivity

The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.

Auditory Attention

The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.

Depth Perception

The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.

Trunk Strength

The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.

Stamina

The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.

Arm-Hand Steadiness

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Multilimb Coordination

The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

Control Precision

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Manual Dexterity

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Static Strength

The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

Gross Body Equilibrium

The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.

Gross Body Coordination

The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion.

Extent Flexibility

The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

Dynamic Strength

The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.

Response Orientation

The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.

Spatial Orientation

The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you.

Sound Localization

The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.

Glare Sensitivity

The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.

Explosive Strength

The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping or sprinting), or to throw an object.

Peripheral Vision

The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes are looking ahead.

Night Vision

The ability to see under low-light conditions.

Dynamic Flexibility

The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with your body, arms, and/or legs.

Speed of Limb Movement

The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.

Rate Control

The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.

Reaction Time

The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

Wrist-Finger Speed

The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.

Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

Microsoft Access

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

SAP software

Category: Enterprise resource planning ERP software | Hot Technology

Microsoft Project

Category: Project management software | Hot Technology

Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

Atlassian JIRA

Category: Content workflow software | Hot Technology

Amazon Web Services AWS software

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

Salesforce software

Category: Customer relationship management CRM software | Hot Technology

Google Angular

Category: Web platform development software | Hot Technology

Oracle Database

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

Purchasing software

Category: Procurement software | In Demand

Word processing software

Category: Word processing software

Customer relationship management CRM software

Category: Customer relationship management CRM software

Deltek Costpoint

Category: Accounting software

Enterprise resource planning ERP system

Category: Enterprise resource planning ERP software

IBM Lotus Notes

Category: Electronic mail software

Inventory management systems

Category: Inventory management software

Microsoft Dynamics GP

Category: Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Product producer databases

Category: Data base user interface and query software

Web browser software

Category: Internet browser software

Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Developing and Building Teams

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Selling or Influencing Others

Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Developing Objectives and Strategies

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources

Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information

Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Performing Administrative Activities

Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Scheduling Work and Activities

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Coaching and Developing Others

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Staffing Organizational Units

Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Controlling Machines and Processes

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Assisting and Caring for Others

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Performing General Physical Activities

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

Handling and Moving Objects

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment

Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment

Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Dependability

A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

Attention to Detail

A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

Cautiousness

A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.

Integrity

A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

Stress Tolerance

A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.

Self-Control

A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.

Innovation

A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

Achievement Orientation

A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.

Intellectual Curiosity

A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.

Tolerance for Ambiguity

A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.

Initiative

A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may fall outside of one's required work role.

Adaptability

A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas at work.

Self-Confidence

A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control one's work-related outcomes.

Perseverance

A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.

Leadership Orientation

A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.

Humility

A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.

Sincerity

A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, without concern for personal gain or self-interest.

Empathy

A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feelings at work.

Cooperation

A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.

Optimism

A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even under difficult circumstances.

Social Orientation

A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.