• Sales Representative Job Description

    A sales representative is a person who represents an organization in the marketing and selling of its merchandise. Sales representatives promote, market, and sell products or services to businesses, government agencies and other organizations rather than directly to end users.

    A sales representative should be enthusiastic, proactive, patient, friendly and helpful, and have good customer service skills. They should have an in-depth understanding of the merchandise they are selling and the ability to communicate effectively to describe and explain the merchandise to clients in the simplest of ways.

  • What does a Sales Representative do?

    Sales representatives may do some or all of the following:

    • plan and arrange to meet potential customers
    • talk to new and existing customers to understand their needs and answer their enquires
    • learn new methods of promoting, marketing and selling their goods
    • maintain up-to-date knowledge of their products
    • advertise and make presentations on products to promote sales
    • demonstrate and explain their products to customers
    • quote and negotiate prices and terms of sales
    • prepare sales contracts and record orders
    • prepare and analyze sales statistics and write reports
    • keep an eye on their competitors and their products or services
    • train and supervise junior sales representatives
  • Where does a Sales Representative work?
  • Working Conditions

    Sales representatives usually work normal office hours, but may sometimes work evenings and weekends to fit in with their clients’ schedules. They work in offices and outdoors where they meet with clients. They may travel to meet with clients or to attend trade shows or conferences. Their job may be stressful because of the need to meet certain sales target within a given time frame.

  • What is Required to Become a Sales Representative?

    There are no standard educational requirements to become a sales representative, but a degree in business, marketing and sales, or communication is helpful. Sales representatives receive training on the job.

  • Modules
  • Specializations

    There are different types of sales representatives and they include:

    • Agricultural sales representative
    • Bank Services Representative
    • Building and Plumbing Supplies Representative
    • Business Services Representative
    • Chemical Sales Representative
    • Insurance Sales Representative
    • Motor vehicle parts and accessories representative
    • Pharmaceutical representative
  • Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

    Sales representatives need to have:

    • patience
    • adaptability
    • creativity
    • persistence
    • resilience
    • tactfulness
    • courteousness
    • confidence and assertiveness
    • honesty and integrity
    • good attention to detail
    • good listening and communication skills
    • time management and organizational skills
    • marketing and accounting skills
    • problem solving skills
    • interviewing and presentation skills
    • persuasion and negotiation skills
    • the ability to relate to a wide variety of people
    • the ability to work well under pressure
    • the ability to analyze information and explain processes
    • the ability to coordinate multiple tasks at one time
    • knowledge of the products and services offered by their organization
    • knowledge of their industry and products of their competitors
    • knowledge of relevant laws and regulations
    • knowledge of customer service principles and practice

References

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