Sales representative
Sales representatives sell products and services to individuals and businesses. They also follow up leads to find new customers.
Typical Salary
£23,000 – £50,000
per year
Working Hours
37–45
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
As a sales representative, you will:
- contact new and existing customers
- give presentations to promote new products and services
- offer sales quotes and agree prices and delivery schedules
- provide an after-sales service for enquiries and issues
- attend sales conferences and product launches
- keep track of industry trends
- meet sales targets
Skills needed
- the ability to sell products and services
- customer service skills
- persuading and negotiating skills
- persistence and determination
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to work well with others
- to be flexible and open to change
- administration skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
Career progression
With experience and a good track record in sales, you could become an area or regional manager, supporting a sales team.
You could also move into marketing, or work in product and account management.
You might wish to specialise in a particular field, for example medical or pharmaceutical sales.