A sales representative is responsible for selling a company's products or services by identifying leads, building customer relationships, presenting solutions, and closing deals. Key duties include generating new business through methods like cold calling and networking, negotiating contracts, and meeting or exceeding sales targets. They act as a point of contact between the company and its customers, provide product knowledge, and may collaborate with marketing and customer service teams.
Key responsibilities
Lead generation: Prospect for new clients through cold outreach, referrals, or marketing-generated leads.
Customer relationship management: Build and maintain strong relationships with new and existing customers to drive repeat business.
Sales and presentations: Present products or services, demonstrate their value, answer questions, and perform cost-benefit analyses.
Negotiation and closing: Negotiate sales terms, finalize contracts, and close deals to meet revenue targets.
Sales tracking: Maintain accurate records of sales interactions and track performance metrics, often using CRM software.
Market research: Stay informed about industry trends, competitor activities, and customer feedback to identify new opportunities.
Required skills and qualifications
Communication and interpersonal skills: Essential for building rapport, presenting, and negotiating.
Persuasion and negotiation: Ability to influence customers and secure favorable terms.
Product knowledge: Must have a thorough understanding of the products or services being sold.
Self-motivation and resilience: Required for meeting targets and handling the competitive nature of sales.
Organizational skills: Needed for managing a sales pipeline and maintaining records.
Education: While a high school diploma is often the minimum, many employers prefer or require a bachelor's degree in business or a related field.