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What does a Sales Agent do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 4 min read

Sales agents are responsible for generating new sales opportunities and managing the sales process from start to finish. They work with customers to identify their needs and match them with the products or services that best meet those needs. Sales agents must be able to build relationships with potential customers, understand their needs, and explain how the products or services offered by the company can meet those needs. They must also be able to negotiate pricing and terms of sale.

Sales Agent job duties include:

  • Meeting with clients to discuss their insurance needs
  • Quoting prices and coverage for potential customers
  • Answering customer questions about coverage and pricing
  • Helping customers choose the best insurance coverage for their needs
  • Processing new customer applications
  • Maintaining records of customer insurance policies
  • Following up with customers to ensure they are satisfied with their coverage
  • Renewing customer insurance policies
  • Contacting customers to update them on changes in their policy or coverage

Sales Agent Job Requirements

There are no formal education requirements for sales agents, although many companies prefer to hire candidates with at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some companies may require sales agents to complete on-the-job training before they can start working independently. Many sales agents also choose to pursue voluntary certification through professional organizations such as the National Association of Sales Professionals. In terms of experience, most companies prefer to hire sales agents with at least 2-3 years of experience in a customer-facing role.

Sales Agent Skills

  • Communication
  • Persuasion
  • Confidence
  • Organization
  • Time Management
  • Research
  • Product Knowledge
  • Customer Service
  • Closing Skills
  • Negotiation
  • Prospecting

Related: Top Sales Agent Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Sales Agent

Sales agents are the people who sell products or services on behalf of a company. They are responsible for finding and developing new customers, as well as maintaining relationships with existing ones.

If you want to become a sales agent, there are a few things you need to do. First, you need to have a strong understanding of the products or services you will be selling. It is also important to be able to build relationships and rapport with potential and current customers. You should also be able to negotiate deals and close sales.

Some companies may require you to have a bachelor's degree in business or a related field. However, other companies may be more interested in your experience and skills. If you have previous sales experience, that will definitely give you an advantage.

If you're interested in becoming a sales agent, the best way to start is by contacting companies that interest you and asking if they have any open positions. You can also look for job postings online or in newspapers. Once you've found a few companies that you'd like to work for, send them your resume and cover letter. Be sure to highlight your skills and experience in your materials.

If you get called in for an interview, be prepared to talk about your experience, what you know about the products or services, and why you think you would be good at selling them. The interviewer will also want to know about your customer service skills and how you handle difficult situations.

If everything goes well, the company will offer you the job and provide training on their specific products or services. After that, it will be up to you to use your skills and knowledge to find new customers and close deals.

Related: Sales Agent Resume Example

Related: Sales Agent Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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