Sales Representative Job Description

Engineers can invent and produce the best of machines but a good sales team is needed to make the product and business a grand success. Sales representatives can play an important role in revenue generation by selling the products. The sales achieved by them in a way decide the success, survival and future of the company. With the ever-increasing manufacturing establishments, retail organizations, technical and scientific firms the need for efficient sales representatives is also increasing rapidly. Just the sheer diversity of products and services available in the market can give you an idea of the scope this career opportunity has. But having said that, sales representatives job is also tremendously challenging, as persuading people and selling a product is never easy. A sales representative job description which is discussed in the following paragraphs will help you to understand the challenges and responsibilities of the profession in a better way.

Job Description, Responsibilities and Duties

Though a sales representative job description will change according to the business he or she is working in, the basic nature of work and responsibilities will remain the same. Sales representatives ideally work for manufacturers, wholesalers, or technical companies. Some sales representatives can directly deal with other businesses and government agencies to sell their products. One of the main sales representative duties is to interest the buyers or the purchasing agents to buy their company's products or services. They have to approach people, introduce the product and encourage the customer to buy it. They also need to solve the queries and concerns of the clients about the company and its products. Sales representatives have to travel and visit the prospective buyer, clients or purchasing agents. They should know the product they are selling thoroughly, as they will have to demonstrate the products in front of the clients. Sales representatives should have good presentation skills, as sometimes they are required to give presentations to a group of potential buyers or clients.

Sales representatives who work in the office are required to call the customers, explaining the features, uses and benefits of the product. Sales representatives need to have good communication and persuasion skills. They need to develop a good rapport with the customers. They must keep in touch and follow-up with the old and existing customers, so as to entice them to make repeated purchases. They also have to ensure that the customer is getting the product servicing in time. A job description of sales representative may not be limited to making sales, in some organizations they need to perform all the administrative or paperwork regarding the business strategies and client servicing activities. Analyzing sales statistics, preparing reports, filing expense accounts and scheduling appointments are also a part of a sales representatives job.

A sales representative must generate mutual goodwill and induce buyer loyalty through his friendly and enthusiastic nature. Good communication skills will be essential as they have to keep a look out for new leads and ask for referrals to increase his company's market share. They also have to update themselves with new products that are being introduced and the reviews of the products and prices. Sales representatives also need to attend trade shows to stay up-to-date with new products and understand the changing needs of customers. Read more on salesman tips.

Qualification Required

Qualifications may vary according to the industry in which you are planning to work. For example if a company deals with scientific and technical products, they would most likely hire a person with bachelor's degree. But for many companies, the first criteria will be good communication and persuasive skills. Individuals with a high school diploma or its equivalent and with previous sales experience can also be employed easily. Attending some kind of sales training or seminars will also be useful. The average salary of a sales representative will not only vary according to his qualification and experience but also according to the type of industry he is working in. Sales representatives working in the computer systems design and related services are reported to be earning average salary of about $80,060.

Hopefully, by now you must have gained a valuable insight into a sales representative job description. Like all other professions determination, hard work and a positive attitude will help to reach new heights in this career.