12 Sales Associate Skills: Definition and Examples

By ResumeCat Editorial Team
Published September 1, 2022

In order to be a successful sales associate, one must have certain skills. This article defines twelve of those skills, including: product knowledge, active listening, and closing techniques.

Create your resume
Select from 7 professional resume templates

Communication

The ability to communicate effectively is essential for any sales associate. They need to be able to clearly and concisely explain the features and benefits of a product or service to potential customers, as well as address any questions or concerns they may have. Good communication skills can help to build rapport with customers, build relationships of trust, and close more sales.

Customer service

Customer service is the ability to provide excellent customer service to customers. This involves being able to deal with customer inquiries and complaints in a professional and efficient manner. It is important to have good customer service skills as a sales associate because it can help to increase sales and build customer loyalty.

Selling

The ability to sell is one of the most important skills for a sales associate. Without it, they would be unable to make sales and earn commission. This skill is needed in order to persuade customers to purchase products or services.

Closing

The ability to close a sale is one of the most important skills for a sales associate. This skill is needed in order to persuade a customer to make a purchase, and it is often the deciding factor between making a sale and losing out on business. There are many different techniques that can be used to close a sale, and it is important for sales associates to be familiar with as many of them as possible in order to increase their chances of success.

Objection handling

Objection handling is the process of responding to and addressing customer concerns or objections. It is an important skill for sales associates because it allows them to overcome objections and continue the sale.

Negotiation

Negotiation is a skill that is useful for sales associates because it allows them to reach agreements with customers and clients. This can be helpful in situations where there is a disagreement about price or terms of a sale. Negotiation can also help sales associates to close deals by getting both parties to agree on terms.

Product knowledge

Product knowledge is the ability to understand and explain the features and benefits of a product. As a sales associate, you need product knowledge to be able to sell products to customers.

Presentation skills

The ability to present oneself and one's products or services in a favorable light is essential for any sales associate. This skill allows the sales associate to put their best foot forward and make a good impression on potential customers. It can be the difference between making a sale and losing out to a competitor.

Time management

Time management is the ability to plan and organize your time in order to achieve specific goals. As a sales associate, you need time management skills to be able to prioritize your tasks, meet deadlines, and stay organized.

Organization

Organization is the ability to keep track of multiple tasks and priorities at the same time. As a sales associate, you will often be juggling multiple customer inquiries and requests, as well as your own sales goals. Staying organized will help you stay on top of everything and provide the best possible service to your customers.

Motivation

The ability to stay motivated is critical for a sales associate, who often has to work long hours and make a lot of cold calls. A motivated sales associate is more likely to stick with the job and reach their sales goals.

Creativity

Creativity is the ability to come up with new ideas and solutions. As a sales associate, you need creativity to be able to come up with new ways to sell products and services to customers.

How to improve sales associate skills

Sales associates play a critical role in any organization. They are responsible for generating revenue and ensuring customer satisfaction. In order to be successful, sales associates must possess a number of skills.

Some of the most important skills for sales associates include:

1. Communication: Sales associates must be able to communicate effectively with customers and prospects. They need to be able to explain products and services clearly and concisely. Additionally, they must be able to listen to customer needs and understand their pain points.

2. Persuasion: Sales associates must be persuasive in order to close deals. They need to be able to convince customers that their products or services are the best solution for their needs.

3. Negotiation: Sales associates must be able to negotiate effectively in order to get the best possible terms for their organization. They need to be able to understand the customer’s needs and wants and then craft a deal that meets those needs while also benefiting the organization.

4. Time management: Sales associates must be able to manage their time effectively in order to meet quotas and deadlines. They need to be able to prioritize tasks and plan their time accordingly.

5. Organization: Sales associates must be organized in order to keep track of customer information, sales data, and product information. They need to be able to access this information quickly and easily when needed.

6. Adaptability: Sales associates must be adaptable in order to succeed in different types of selling environments. They need to be able to adjust their approach based on the customer, the product, or the situation.

7. Motivation: Sales associates must be self-motivated in order achieve their goals. They need to be driven by results and willing to put in the extra effort required to close deals and reach quotas.

How to highlight sales associate skills

When you are a sales associate, you need to be able to talk to people and convince them to buy what you are selling. You also need to be able to work on a team and work towards common goals. You should also be able to keep track of your sales and inventory.

On a resume

When you are writing your resume, be sure to highlight your skills as a Sales Associate. Include any relevant experience you have in customer service, sales, or communication. If you have any relevant education or training in sales, be sure to include that as well. If you have any special skills or knowledge that would make you a good Sales Associate, be sure to mention those as well.

In a cover letter

When applying for a Sales Associate position, be sure to highlight your skills in your cover letter. Include any relevant experience you have in sales, customer service, or any other related field. If you have any relevant education or training in sales or customer service, be sure to mention that as well. Also, highlight any personal qualities that would make you a good fit for the position, such as being a people person, being able to work well under pressure, or having a go-getter attitude.

During an interview

When interviewers ask about your skills as a Sales Associate, be sure to emphasize your ability to close sales, build relationships with customers, and upsell products. You might say something like, "I'm very good at building rapport with customers and finding out what they need. I'm also very persuasive, so I'm able to close sales and upsell products."