In relation to Construction Materials are you talking about selling the Machinery/Heavy Equipment that will be used to construct the properties? Or are you talking about selling the supplies that will be used in the process of the construction? Both of which would require you to work with the manufacturer directly to sell the equipment or the supplies, they would most likely have a high barrier to entry and require some sort of college degree completion and prior B2B sales background.
In regards to skill sets and personalities, yes, this differs. For example:
- Selling girl scout cookies is considered sales lol. You do not need any advanced skill sets, all you need is a "cute, bubbly personality" and you can sell cookies all damn day. This is why children are the best sales reps for the cookies. It allows them to provide income on their own and introduces them to the world of "business" through supply and demand.
- Selling Capital Equipment (equipment costing over $5,000) involves a host of skill sets from the ability to conduct market research, do market analysis, financial analysis, ratio analysis, as well as the ability to communicate how the equipment will reduce costs, increase revenues, etc. The personality for this position should still be a "outgoing" type but it needs to also be coupled with the analytical aspects listed above.