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What does a Sales Representative do?

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

Published 3 min read

A sales representative is responsible for promoting and selling a company's products or services. They may work in a variety of industries, such as retail, healthcare, or technology. Sales representatives typically have a bachelor's degree in business or a related field.

Sales Representative job duties include:

  • Meeting with potential customers to discuss their needs
  • Presenting products or services to customers and demonstrating features
  • Answering customer questions about products or services
  • Negotiating prices with customers
  • Developing sales goals and planning strategies to meet those goals
  • Keeping up-to-date on product features and benefits
  • Maintaining positive relationships with customers
  • Resolving customer complaints in a timely and professional manner
  • Generating leads for new customers

Sales Representative Job Requirements

A Sales Representative is responsible for generating leads and meeting sales quotas. A high school diploma is typically the minimum education requirement, although some employers may prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree. Sales Representatives must have excellent communication and negotiation skills. Prior experience in sales is often required or preferred. Some employers may require or prefer candidates who have earned a professional sales certification, such as the Certified Sales Professional (CSP) designation from the National Association of Sales Professionals.

Sales Representative Skills

  • Communication
  • Persuasion
  • Negotiation
  • Cold-calling
  • Time management
  • Organization
  • Prioritization
  • Multi-tasking
  • Prospecting
  • Closing
  • Customer service

Related: Top Sales Representative Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Sales Representative

Sales representatives are the key link between a company and its customers. They are responsible for finding new customers and maintaining relationships with existing ones. A successful sales representative must be able to identify potential customers, build relationships, and close deals.

If you are interested in becoming a sales representative, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of success. First, get some experience working in customer service or another people-facing role. This will help you develop the people skills necessary to succeed in sales. Second, take some time to learn about the products or services you will be selling. The more you know about what you’re selling, the easier it will be to sell it. Finally, be prepared to work hard. Sales is a competitive field, and the best sales representatives are those who are willing to put in the extra effort to get results.

If you have the drive and determination to succeed, becoming a sales representative can be a rewarding career choice. With the right mix of people skills and product knowledge, you can be closing deals and earning commissions in no time.

Related: Sales Representative Resume Example

Related: Sales Representative Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

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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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