The sales representative (or sales rep) is responsible for overseeing the sale of products or services from beginning to end. This individual is the direct point of contact with a customer and in charge of ensuring a customer's needs and expectations are met. A sales representative should know their product or service inside and out and guide their customers through the purchase process efficiently and satisfactorily.
Sales Representative Duties and Responsibilities
- Acquires new customers by reaching out to leads
- Researches customer's individual or business purchase needs
- Serves existing customers by optimizing current purchase plan
- Adjusts sales tactics based on tests and new insights in the field
- Resolves customer complaints and queries
- Submits purchase orders
- Informs management of purchase actions
- Maintains monthly or bi-monthly minimum goals
- Completes market research and monitors competitor activity
- Makes recommendations for the customer
- Maintains documentation of customer contact and account updates
Sales Representative Requirements and Qualifications
- High school diploma
- Bachelor's degree (ideal but not required)
- Additional certifications and other professional development experience
- 1+ year of sales experience
- Customer service and people skills
- Phone, email, and chat communication skills
- Prospecting skills
- Territory management aptitude
- Persuasion, negotiation, and closing skills
- Ability to meet deadlines and financial goal minimums
- Patience to deal with customer issues and calls that do not end in a sale
- Motivation skills and a positive attitude