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How to become a Sales Associate?

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Talent.com talent.com
Answered September 17 2021
Career Expert at Talent.com
Professionals looking to enter the sales industry as a Sales Associate are not required to have formal education or training. However, many employers prefer hiring candidates with at least a high school diploma. Some employers seek to train their employees by their standards, selecting candidates with less experience.  
  
In-house job training is often available within most companies, lasting from a few days to a month. The training covers everything from customer services principles, company procedures and protocols, and basic cashier duties. To maintain an excellent level of customer service, many companies will have their employees go through regular courses to refine their skills.  
   
Sales Associates with enough experience can seek promotions for higher salaries and more leadership, typically with a more managerial position. However, many employers will only encourage candidates who have a college or university degree in Administration, Business, Marketing, or any other related field.  
Sales Assistants must be willing to work flexible schedules that meet the needs of the business, including overnight, evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call shifts. 

What can help you become a Sales Associate
Getting started in your career as a Sales Associate usually begins with some previous experience, say, a part-time gig at a grocery store with a client-facing role before job openings in retail clothing stores become attainable. Here are some more tips to help you get there: 
  • Exceptional customer service and selling skills 
  • Quick response time to customer requests 
  • Persuasive selling strategies 
  • Exercising sound judgment when addressing customer concerns 
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills 
  • Friendly and engaging personality to generate positive interactions with clients 
  • Listening carefully and understanding customers’ questions and complaints to resolve issues promptly. 
  • Being resourceful, energetic, driven, structured, and displaying a strong desire to take initiative 
  • Demonstrated time management and organizational skills 
  • The ability to work both independently and as part of a team 
  • Problem-solving and decision-making skills 
  • Identifying issues and resolving problems promptly. 
  • Patience and politeness while dealing with demanding clients.  
  • The ability to stand for extended periods, climb ladders, and lift/carry up to 50 pounds at a time.
Easteregg!