What is A sales representative?
Sales representatives sell goods and services to businesses, government agencies, and other organizations rather than directly to consumers. Manufacturers and wholesalers rely heavily on sales representatives—also called manufacturers’ representatives or manufacturers’ representatives—to market goods, which can be anything from lab equipment to soft drinks. Two important qualities for success as a sales representative are an enthusiastic personality and tolerance for travel. Sales representatives are expected to attend trade shows and conferences to keep abreast of evolving products and changing customer needs. They may also be responsible for administrative tasks such as analyzing sales statistics or recording expense accounts.
Job opportunities for sales representatives generally depend on the growth of the economy. New and specialized products also lead to increased recruitment of sales representatives. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment growth of 4.5 percent for sales representatives between 2020 and 2030. During this period, it is estimated that 59,400 jobs will be created.
How much does a sales representative earn?
The average salary for sales representatives was $62,070 in 2020. The top 25 percent earned $89,030 that year, while the bottom 25 percent earned $43,580.
How to become A sales representative?
There are no formal training requirements for sales representative positions. Many jobs can be obtained with just a high school diploma or equivalent, although previous sales experience is beneficial. However, many employers appreciate some post-secondary education, and positions involving scientific and technical products are more likely to require a bachelor’s degree. To stand out from the rest of the applicants, many aspiring sales representatives attend seminars on sales techniques or take courses in marketing, economics, communications or even a foreign language. There are also certifications—such as the Professional Sales Certification—that can lead to agents in the industry. Most companies require new sales representatives to attend formal training programs. During these programs, interns are often rotated through different offices and manufacturing plants to learn about all stages of manufacturing and distribution of a product.
Job Satisfaction
The average American works well into their 60s, so workers may have an enjoyable and fulfilling career. A job with a low stress level, good work-life balance, and strong prospects for improvement, promotion, and higher pay make many employees happy. Here’s how Sales representatives Job satisfaction is rated in terms of upward mobility, stress level and flexibility.