A sales representative sells products, goods, and services to customers. Main responsibilities include:
- Generating leads
- Meeting or exceeding sales goals
- Negotiating contracts
- Giving sales presentations
Sales representatives drive revenue, acquire customers, and build relationships. Communication skills, connecting with people, and striving to meet targets are key. Strong customer service skills are vital.
Entry Requirements and Qualifications
An industry shapes necessary background. Despite diversity, sales representatives can enter with little experience. Education credentials vary. For non-technical goods, high school diplomas suffice. Technical, scientific, or financial products need some college, even degrees.
Skills and Progression
Responsibilities include converting leads into revenue numbers. Many sales reps have quotas for minimum products to sell in time frames. Sales representatives devise strategies to increase interest among more potential customers and adjust plans responding to changing markets.
Is Sales Representative a Good Job?
Sales representatives sell products, goods, and services to customers, drive revenue, acquire customers, and build client relationships. Communication skills, connecting with people, and striving to meet targets are key. Customer service skills are vital.
Sales representatives need to understand the sales process and have strong interpersonal skills. Previous sales experience helps. In larger companies, sales representatives work in teams collaborating across departments. Sales representatives advance to senior positions, sales management roles, or specialized product lines.
Sales representatives must identify goals, recognize sales as a process, identify business needs, measure progress, and have excellent communication skills. Sales representatives may travel frequently and work long hours. The average base salary is approximately $62,500 per year, with additional commission or bonuses possible. Most sales representatives have a bachelor’s degree. Responsibilities include prospecting new sales leads, scheduling meetings and presentations, and negotiating contracts.