As the sole point of contact, sales representatives are responsible for all business matters when it comes to their clients. They ensure the right products are delivered, follow customer leads, and pitch prospective customers.
Probably the most important aspect of a sales representative's job is closing on sales. That's what keeps the business running and your paycheck coming. There are some times when you'll have to deal with tough situations, like customer complaints, and you'll have to know how to fix the situation.
The majority of sales representatives spend about 47 hours a week at work. From travel time to breaks and interacting with customers, you've got some long days ahead. Although, it's not a bad gig, especially since you only need a high school diploma. The majority of your education in your career will come from on-the-job training - nothing beats hands-on experience.
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a sales representative. For example, did you know that they make an average of $27.34 an hour? That's $56,861 a year!
Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 2% and produce 35,400 job opportunities across the U.S.
There are certain skills that many sales representatives have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed customer-service skills, interpersonal skills and physical stamina.
Have you ever been approached by someone that tried to sell you a product? Maybe they came to your workplace to present a new line of computers or cutting edge printers, or they tried to sell cleaning products to your small business. Those are sales representatives. They are part of a business's marketing team, and their job is to sell as many products as possible. Sales reps have a reputation for being hard workers because the job requires perseverance. The job involves meeting frequent sales targets because payment is based on commission. Sales reps also have to be ready to move and make a sale at the client's convenience. But for all the difficulties, the career is gratifying. Because it's commission-based, there's no cap on how much sales reps can earn monthly. The job also has perks because sales reps set their own hours and may even have access to an expense account.
What Kind of Education does a Sales Representative Need?The educational background of sales reps is very diverse. Organizations often prioritize sales experience and competence when hiring for this role, so the specific background may vary. However, it's helpful to have a bachelor's degree in a related field like accounting, business management, or economics. Studying marketing, consumer behavior, and business can help a lot. A major in your product's field may also be an advantage, for example, studying computer science when you sell computer solutions.
Sales Representative CertificationsCertifications may not be necessary for landing a sales rep position, but they can certainly help. You can get these from professional organizations in your state of practice. These organizations may also issue licenses and membership rights to you. Other certifications in sales training, customer service, and marketing may also be helpful. They add to your resume and can demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers. Finally, certifications may also help to climb the career ladder or switch to new roles. For example, certificates in human resource management or project management can show employers that you're capable of leading a team of sales reps.
Sales Representative LicensesYou don't need a practicing license to become a sales rep, even though some organizations offer them. The Manufacturer's Representatives Education Research Foundation provides licenses for sales reps, and it can give you a career edge. Since licensing isn't a common phenomenon, it may be what you need to get ahead.
Experience Needed to be a Sales RepresentativeAny experience in sales can set you up to become a sales rep. Although, experience working for corporations reflects better than personal ones like trying to sell custom-built PCs to make money. Also, having prior experience in the product field can go a long way. A great example is working in a pharmacy before applying for a job as a pharmaceutical sales rep. The field can be highly demanding, so any job that demonstrates you can handle the challenge will impress potential employers.