The ideal candidate for the Sales Analyst position has obtained a college or university degree in Sales, Marketing, Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration. Industry-specific sales experience, ranging from 2 to 5 years in similar positions, is considered an asset for any applicant.  
  
Also helpful for Sales Analysts are demonstrated skills using MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Project), plus expert knowledge in CRM systems, sales forecasting software, and database management. These skills develop during time spent in college and university but can also be learned through on-the-job training, depending on the industry.   
   
Sales Analysts need to have a broad knowledge of sales as an industry overall and the market in which they conduct their analyses. Current economic conditions can also provide context through which they analyze and interpret their data.  
   
Sales Analysts spend most of their working hours in an office setting, typically working 40 hours per week. However, depending on the financial status of the company they work for, the job of a Sales Analyst can be very stressful, and they sometimes have to work extra hours, mainly if the company's financial success depends on the information collected from an Analyst's sales forecasts. 

What can help you become a Sales Analyst

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills:   

Sales Analysts will benefit from being strong communicators, especially when it comes to transcribing data into reports. Not only that, but they will need to collaborate with sales teams to understand their needs. Spoken communication will often bear some importance in this position, as speaking confidently and articulately in front of a group of sales professionals to convey complex information to a broad audience is a regular part of the role.    
  

• Strong organizational, operational, and planning skills in a sales-focused environment:   

Sales Analysts should be as close to multitasking experts as possible to succeed in this role. The work is typically dynamic and fast-paced, so it helps if they are too. Sales Analysts can also afford to be proactive and goal-oriented in their day-to-day, ensuring time constraints are no match for critical deadlines.   
  

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving capabilities, and detail-oriented:   

Working as a Sales Analyst requires quickly identifying issues and resolving problems promptly. The knowledge base and aptitude for efficiently gathering, monitoring, and analyzing all quantitative and qualitative data in sales reports are equally important in this role.