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What does a Sales Specialist do?

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

Published 4 min read

A Sales Specialist is responsible for managing the sales process and developing relationships with customers. They work to identify customer needs and match them with the right products or services. Sales Specialists also develop and implement sales strategies, track progress and performance, and report results to management.

Sales Specialist job duties include:

  • Act as the primary point of contact for assigned accounts and customers
  • Develop and maintain positive relationships with assigned accounts and customers
  • Understand customer needs and requirements
  • Identify and resolve customer issues and concerns
  • Provide accurate and timely information to customers
  • Process customer orders and ensure timely delivery
  • Coordinate with other departments to meet customer needs
  • Assist in the development of sales strategies
  • Achieve assigned sales targets
  • Monitor market trends and competitor activity

Sales Specialist Job Requirements

Most employers prefer to hire a Sales Specialist with at least a bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field. However, some jobs may only require a high school diploma or equivalent. Certification is not always required, but it may give you an advantage over other candidates. Experience is also important, and many employers prefer to hire candidates with at least two years of sales experience.

Sales Specialist Skills

  • Motivated
  • Persistent
  • Confident
  • Good communication skills
  • Good people skills
  • Enthusiastic
  • Passionate
  • Driven
  • Goal-oriented
  • Organized
  • Resourceful

Related: Top Sales Specialist Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Sales Specialist

Sales specialists are the people who help companies increase their revenue by finding and developing new customers. They are responsible for generating new leads, managing customer relationships, and closing sales. If you are interested in becoming a sales specialist, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

First, it is important to have strong communication skills. You will be spending a lot of time talking to potential customers on the phone and in person, so you need to be able to effectively communicate your pitch. Additionally, you should be comfortable with public speaking, as you may be giving presentations to groups of people.

Second, you need to be organized and detail-oriented. Sales can be a very fast-paced and chaotic environment, so it is important to be able to keep track of your leads and customers. You should also have strong time management skills, as you will need to juggle multiple tasks at once.

Third, you need to be knowledgeable about the products or services you are selling. Customers will often have questions about what they are buying, so you need to be able to answer their questions confidently. Additionally, you should be familiar with the competition and be able to position your company’s products or services against them.

Fourth, it is important to be persistent and resilient. Sales can be a challenging field, and there will inevitably be times when you get rejected by potential customers. It is important to not take these rejections personally and to continue working hard to find new leads and close sales.

If you have these skills and qualities, then you may have what it takes to become a successful sales specialist. To get started in this career, consider pursuing a degree in marketing or business administration. Alternatively, many companies offer training programs for entry-level sales positions. Once you have some experience under your belt, you can then start working your way up the ladder into more senior roles.

Related: Sales Specialist Resume Example

Related: Sales Specialist 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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