Sales Representative

OFO No:

333903 – Business services
332202 – Building & plumbing
243301 – Industrial products
332206 – Photographic supplies
332203 – Personal & household goods
243302 – Medical supplies
243303 – Educational products

 

What is a Sales Representative?

A Sales Representative is often called a Rep. They are responsible for selling the company’s products and services. Depending on the company they work for, they could be selling products or services to individuals, other companies or large organisations.

A Sales Representative is usually paid a small basic salary with benefits and then a commission on what they sell. If you’re a good Rep, you can make a lot of money.

The key point is this:

  • If you want people to believe in you and your product – you should be passionate about the product / service you are trying to sell. It’s very hard to sell something you don’t like.

What does a Sales Representative do?

  • gets to know their products and services inside out
  • keeps up to date with new products and services
  • attends training sessions
  • attends sales strategy meetings
  • makes lists of prospective (possible new) clients
  • keeps up to date with competitors’ products / services
  • makes regular visits to old customers and ‘cold call’s on new clients
  • makes sure orders are put in place and that orders
  • problem solves if customer is unhappy
  • makes sure relationship between company and customer is always a positive one

Are you . . . ?

  • sales orientated?
  • target driven?
  • a people’s person?
  • a good negotiator?
  • ambitious?
  • innovative?
  • positive?
  • enthusiastic?
  • energetic?

How do I become a Sales Representative?

It’s important that you love the product or service or if you have a passion for a particular industry to rep in that environment. It’s difficult to sell something if you don’t believe in it.

Some Reps are trained on-the-job, straight out of school while other Reps (eg medical) have relevant qualifications behind their name. It will depend on how technical or how specialised your product or service is.

A qualification in Sales and Marketing would also be very helpful.

TRAINING:

  • CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
  • Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
  • To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: HR Clerk or Brand Manager

Is becoming a Sales Representative the right career choice for me?