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What does a Telesales Representative do?

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

Published 3 min read

A telesales representative is a sales professional who works with customers over the phone. They are responsible for building relationships with customers, understanding their needs, and selling them products or services that meet those needs. Telesales representatives typically work in call centers and may be required to make cold calls to potential customers.

Telesales Representative job duties include:

  • Answer incoming calls and respond to customer’s emails
  • Handle customer inquiries both over the phone and via email
  • Provide customers with product and service information
  • Upsell products and services to customers, where appropriate
  • Process orders and payments accurately and in a timely manner
  • Schedule appointments for customers as needed
  • Follow up with customers after purchase to ensure satisfaction
  • Resolve customer complaints in a professional and courteous manner
  • Maintain updated knowledge of all products and services

Telesales Representative Job Requirements

Telesales representatives typically need at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education, and most employers provide on-the-job training. Some telesales jobs may require certification, such as the Certified Sales Professional designation from the American Telesales Association. Experience in customer service or sales is often required or preferred.

Telesales Representative Skills

  • Communication
  • Persuasion
  • Active listening
  • Closing skills
  • Probing skills
  • Motivation
  • Objection handling
  • Rapport building
  • Time management
  • Telephone etiquette
  • Research skills
  • Product knowledge

Related: Top Telesales Representative Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Telesales Representative

A career as a Telesales Representative can be very rewarding. It offers the opportunity to earn a good income while working flexible hours from the comfort of your own home. As a Telesales Representative, you will be responsible for contacting potential customers by phone and selling them products or services.

To become a Telesales Representative, you will need to have excellent communication skills and be comfortable talking on the phone. You should also be able to work independently and be self-motivated. Experience in customer service or sales is helpful but not required.

If you are interested in becoming a Telesales Representative, the first step is to find a company that is hiring. You can search online job boards or contact companies directly. Once you have found a position that you are interested in, you will need to apply and go through the interview process.

Once you have been hired, you will receive training from your employer on how to sell products or services over the phone. After completing your training, you will be ready to start making sales calls and earning commissions.

Related: Telesales Representative Resume Example

Related: Telesales Representative 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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