what is a sales representative?
You showcase your employer's products and promote sales as a sales representative. You pitch products to potential customers and are directly involved in revenue generation. Aside from pitching to customers, you also sell products to other businesses or government agencies. Sales representatives are important to wholesales and manufacturing companies since they market and promote the products.
Sales representatives work with customers to understand their needs, create solutions and ensure a smooth sales process. As a sales representative, meeting your sales quotas and targets is crucial. Sometimes, your income depends on your work performance. You can find new leads through various channels, from referrals to cold-calling and selling new products to existing customers.
what industries do sales representatives work in?
As a sales representative, you sell various products, from soft drinks to pharmaceutical supplies or office equipment. Each product requires in-depth knowledge of the respective industry's features and dynamics.
Some sales representatives work for technology companies or manufacturing businesses producing various products. For instance, if you promote jewellery and mining products, knowledge of the mining and manufacturing process is necessary in case a customer asks questions. A sales representative can also promote insurance and financial services for insurance companies and banks.
sales representative jobsaverage sales representative salary
As a sales representative, you take home an average remuneration package of $70,000 per year. On the lower side of the scale, sales representatives earn $60,000 annually, while experienced sales reps earn over $80,000 yearly. Some companies also award commissions or bonuses for revenue generated. The commissions could be based on monthly profits or sales, while bonuses are usually paid annually.
what factors affect the salary of a sales representative?
The remuneration package of a sales representative depends on the skills and educational qualifications. For instance, a sales representative with a degree or college qualifications gets a higher salary than someone without any post-secondary education. Experience also influences your remuneration package since employers prefer sales or customer service experience candidates.
The location also impacts the salary structure since different regions have diverse living costs and demand for sales representatives. Metro areas have a high demand for sales reps, and the earnings are always higher due to the increased cost of living.
Want to know what you will earn as a sales representative? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.
types of sales representatives
Some of the types of sales representatives include:
- manufacturer's sales representative: as a manufacturer's sales rep, you work for a product manufacturer to sell their services to wholesalers and stock retailers. Your job is to engage the market, launch new products and stock company outlets. In most cases, these sales reps work on straight commissioning. The companies pay them strictly on commission for each product they sell. Due to this, most manufacturers' sales agents are independent agents.
- wholesaler's sales representative: as a wholesaler's sales representative, you represent a dealer or wholesaler of durable or non-durable products. Suppose you are a wholesaler's sales rep. In that case, you are responsible for supplying retailers or individual stock buyers with your company's products.
- retailer's sales representatives: these are the most known sales reps. Besides being the face of a company, they are found at the point of interaction with potential customers. As a retailer's sales representative, you constantly communicate with customers as you sell products and services.
working as a sales representative
A sales representative promotes sales and introduces new products to the market. Take a closer look at the tasks and work environments in the role.
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sales representative job description
Common tasks of sales representatives include:
- assisting in sales promotion: as a sales representative, you ensure that your company makes a profit. To achieve good sales, you participate in sales promotion activities like advertising, influencing company pricing and explaining product features.
- keeping customers satisfied: ensuring customers get the right supply of products and knowledge about them is your main duty as a sales rep. To do this, you make regular calls and respond to customers' messages and emails. You also keep them informed about new and upgraded products and services. Additionally, you answer all customer questions and give them the help they need while making purchases.
- setting and stocking outlets: if you work as a manufacturer's agent, you are responsible for identifying and creating sales outlets. You also ensure they have a continuous supply of products to keep the business running.
- training other sales agents: as you rise to the top ranks in your company, you are responsible for training entry-level sales representatives. This helps to ensure that they work as required to meet company standards. While working as a manufacturer or wholesaler's sales agent, you ensure your third-party retail points are profitable. Therefore, you equip retailing agents selling your products with skills and basic advertisement wares, like stickers and banners.
- drafting and presenting sales reports: as a sales agent, you prepare sales records such as expenditures incurred during marketing, sales amount made and data on the market outlook. You also present these reports to your superiors and advise on improving marketing strategies.
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work environment
As a sales rep, your work environment varies from the people you interact with to your physical location. You also work in diverse industries, from pharmaceuticals to manufacturing and technology firms.
Sales representatives work under high pressure due to the nature of their job. The workplace is also highly competitive. As a sales rep, you keep your records high to outdo your competition in the company. Sometimes, your performance also dictates your remuneration in this field.
This profession is built on interactions, meaning you communicate continuously with your customers. Sales reps spend most of their time on calls, replying to emails, or meeting customers. Sometimes, you deal with dissatisfied customers who need support or refunds. Many sales agents work indoors. Nonetheless, if you work as a sales representative in some
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include sales executives, sales assistants, administration assistants, administrators, and sales managers. You might also be working close to marketing executives and customer service representatives, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, assistant managers, mining managers, supervisors, product managers, marketing coordinators and marketing managers.
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work schedule
Most sales representatives have a regular work schedule. They usually work, on average, 40 to 44 hours per week, with time distributed among their several responsibilities. However, some types of sales reps have a more dynamic work schedule. For example, speciality sales reps do not have specific work hours. They sell different kinds of products and may represent more than one company at a time. Due to the nature of their products and services, some sales representatives miss out on holidays. This is because most industries enjoy peak sales over the holidays. Depending on your industry, you may make local or overseas business trips, especially if you are a manufacturer's sales rep.
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job outlook
Current business and marketing changes have a ripple effect on the market. For instance, technology has opened up the market through online sales, increasing the demand for products. This market growth has increased company demands for sales agents.
As a sales representative, you can join a sales agency instead of seeking employment as a regular, company-based sales agent. Such agencies harmonise the profession in terms of pay and work opportunities. Some sales reps also become independent. This allows you to work for more than one company or part-time to run other businesses. If you want to progress vertically in the role, move into managerial roles like sales or marketing manager roles.
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advantages of finding a sales representative job through randstad
Finding your sales representative job through Randstad provides essential benefits such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a sales representative is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad.
education and skills
Sales representatives don't need educational qualifications to join the role. However, studying marketing and sales courses improves your competitiveness in the market. Some of the qualifications expected by the employer include:
- university and vet qualifications: when you complete your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, join a vocational education and training (VET) college and pursue a Certificate III or IV in business sales, customer engagement or business. If you prefer working in the retail sector, consider taking a Certificate III or IV in retail at a registered training institution. Alternatively, complete a three-year bachelor's degree in commerce, marketing or business management at a university.
- work experience: as a sales representative, it is crucial to gain work experience in sales or customer service to familiarise yourself with the role. Junior sales roles help you gain industrial exposure to understand how the sales industry functions.
sales representative skills and competencies
Some of the qualities of a sales representative include:
- written and verbal communication skills: as a sales representative, it is important to be a confident and clear communicator. Strong communication skills help you interact with clients from diverse backgrounds. While you require a strong command of technical terms, you should simplify your language depending on the circumstances.
- industry knowledge: a successful sales representative understands the products and services of the industry. When you have industry knowledge, you promote relevant business offerings and features. With these insights, you can persuade clients to choose your products over your competitors.
- customer service skills: your strong customer service skills help keep clients satisfied. You can build a strong rapport with clients when you are friendly and positive. Customer service skills help you resolve problems and promote customer loyalty when a client has an issue.
- negotiation skills: as a sales representative, you require negotiation skills to sell products and services at variable prices. With your negotiation skills, you can convince clients to settle on prices that satisfy them and benefit their business.
FAQs about working as a sales representative
Here are the most asked questions about working as a sales representative:
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what are the duties of a sales representative?
A sales representative sells and promotes products or services that fulfil the needs of consumers. They also ensure a good relationship with customers to build loyalty and encourage repeat business.
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how much do sales reps make in Australia?
Sales representatives in Australia earn a salary that ranges from $60,000 to $80,000 per year based on experience and qualifications. Some companies also pay commissions or add bonuses to their salaries.
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what are the basic skills of a sales representative?
As a sales representative, you need confidence and the ability to maintain a positive attitude when approaching potential customers. Customer service skills also help you build rapport and encourage customer loyalty.
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is being a sales representative hard?
Working as a sales representative is an exciting career if you enjoy interacting with people daily. However, the role is highly competitive and requires resilience to meet the quotas and targets set by your employer.
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what are the qualifications of a sales representative?
A sales representative doesn't need formal education. However, a Certificate IV in customer engagement or sales can boost your career prospects.
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how do I apply for a sales representative vacancy?
Applying for a sales representative job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our sales representative job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.
