Sales representatives sell goods and services to industry, business and professional establishments, as well as to wholesale or retail outlets.

Tasks:

1. Services existing accounts, obtains orders, and establishes new accounts by planning and organizing daily work schedule to call on existing or potential sales outlets and other trade factors.
2. Adjusts content of sales presentations by studying the type of sales outlet or trade factor.
3. Focuses sales efforts by studying existing and potential volume of dealers.
4. Submits orders by referring to price lists and product literature.
5. Keeps management informed by submitting activity and results reports, such as daily call reports, weekly work plans, and monthly and annual territory analyses.
6. Recommends changes in products, service, and policy by evaluating results and competitive developments.
7. Resolves customer complaints by investigating problems; developing solutions; preparing reports; making recommendations to management.
8. Provides historical records by maintaining records on area and customer sales.

Key skills for a sales representative:

• Customer Service skills
• Meeting Sales Goals
• Negotiation skills
• Self-Confidence
• Product Knowledge
• Presentation Skills
  

Average salary (2014):

United States of America: $39,275 per year
United Kingdom: £20,201 per year
Australia: AU$48,174 per year

Qualifications and training required:

Although this occupation doesn't have any formal educational requirements, many employers prefer to hire job candidates who have earned a bachelor's degree. This is particularly true for those selling technical and scientific products. Many people working in this occupation have majored in marketing.