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How to become a Sales Representative?

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Talent.com talent.com
Answered August 27 2021
Career Expert at Talent.com
Professionals looking to enter the world of Sales as a Sales Representative will not be required to have a specific degree; however, employers usually prefer applicants with college or university degrees in Marketing, Sales, or Business. Industry-specific sales experience is considered an asset for any candidate in this profession.  
  
This is one of the few fields where employers don’t emphasize academic achievements as much as they do in a particular set of skills that constitute the ideal salesperson. Candidates are often expected to possess excellent communication skills, a natural aptitude for sales, and an outgoing personality that will enable them to get along with potential clients. They are also required to have outstanding customer service skills. Some examples are a demonstrated skillset using MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, and Access) and experience in cold calling and telemarketing.  
   
Sales Representatives can move up and further advance their careers. Promotions are usually handed to those professionals displaying high levels of aptitude and success in their sales. They may also move towards similar fields such as Marketing.  
  
What can help you become a Sales Representative
Ever wonder how Sales Representatives make it in the professional world? At times, it seems that these individuals are self-made experts, using their extroverted personalities to seal the deal in whichever market they choose to provide their skills and services. However, certain learned skills, either from inside or outside post-secondary institutions, can help you get there. Take a look: 
 
  • Adaptive personality with the ability to learn and apply new sales strategies quickly. 
  • Resilient to challenges and changing working environments. 
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. 
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, building a solid foundation with new and existing clients. 
  • Amiable and engaging personality to create positive interactions with clients. 
  • Keen listening skills for carefully understanding customers’ needs with a propensity to resolve any issues promptly. 
  • High levels of demonstrated customer service skills when working with both existing clients and potential customers. 
  • Persuasive sales pitch strategy to influence future clients.  
  • Resourceful, energetic, driven, and structured work initiative. 
  • Robust organizational, operational, and planning skills in customer service and sales-focused environments. 
  • A knack for multitasking; being able to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. 
  • Being proactive and goal-oriented. 
  • Able to work independently with minimal supervision. 
  • Able to handle time constraints while achieving the required goals.  
  • Analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. 
  • Identifying issues and resolving problems promptly. 
  • Being able to gather, monitor, and analyze all types of quantitative and qualitative data into sales reports. 
  • Being polite and patient while dealing with demanding clients.  
Easteregg!