Sales Representatives Career

Company that manufactures products may hire a sales representative. The job of sales representative is to represent the company, showcase, and sells products. The range of employment available to the sales representative may vary considerably. For example, a sales representative in a pharmaceutical company has to have thorough understanding of chemistry, science, biology, and medical terms.

Nature of the Work
Sales representative plays an important role in the process of business management. The job of sales representative is to make retailers, wholesalers, and purchasing agents interested in their products. The work of sales representative is to demonstrate products and services and explain how usage of these products can reduce cost and increase sales.

A sales representative may represent one or more than one manufacturers by way of selling one product or a spectrum of products. A sales representative has to work with retail and wholesale establishments, manufacturers, government agencies, and construction contractors.

The process of selling and promoting may take up several months. The responsibility of a sales representative is to present products to target customers and negotiate the sale. Sales representatives are responsible to answer technical as well as non-technical questions regarding products. They contact customers over the phone and make a persuasive sales pitch.

Sometimes, sales representatives have to record interactions with clients to understand their needs and manufacture goods to meet their requirements. A sales representative works with two major categories of products including technical & scientific products and all products excluding technical and scientific products.

Scientific and technical products may consist of anything from pharmaceutical and electrical goods to mechanical and agricultural equipments. Sales representative has to be in touch with new product requirements of customers. They need to attend trade shows where new and creative technologies and products are exhibited. Sales representatives also attend conventions and conferences to meet clients and other sales representatives to discuss new plans and product developments.

Additionally, the whole sales force participates in meeting organized by the company to examine product development, sales performance, profitability, and sales goals. Some organizations offer special training to sales representatives to hone basic skills required to perform well. Sales representatives have to work with technical experts to learn new things.

Technical experts and sales representatives work together and attend sales presentation to explain products. They discuss a number of things related to sales. A sales representative gets in touch with customers, introduces products, and closes the sale. After the sale, a representative has to make follow-up visits to make sure that the sold equipments are functioning properly. A sales representative has to ensure the quality of products.

Responsibilities
A sales representative has to carry out a number of responsibilities to provide customers good service. Sales representatives have to organize store displays, promotional programs, and advertising of their products. The responsibility of a sales representative is to obtain contacts of customers. A sales representative has to follow leads from other clients, participate in conference and trade shows, track advertisements in trade journals, and visit prospective clients.

A sales representative has to carry out various responsibilities apart from selling products. A representative should prepare reports, examine sales statistics, and cope with administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, filing expense accounts, and making travel plans. Sales representatives read about creative and innovative products. They examine prices, sales, and products of competitors.

Sales representatives have to work in both the forms of sales comprising of inside sales and outside sales. An inside sales representative has to spend much of his/her time over the phone. They take orders and resolve problems or complaints regarding the merchandise. Generally, sales representatives do not leave the office. The outside sales representatives spend ample amount of time in traveling. They visit clients and potential buyers. Some of the responsibilities of sales representatives are given below.

Work Environment
Some of the sales representatives have large province where they need to travel significantly. At times, sales representatives have to be away from their homes for several weeks as they need to visit many sales regions in states. Some of the sales representatives work in the offices near their home and they travel mostly by car.

A sales representative has to work over forty hours a week because of the traveling and nature of work. A sales representative has to ensure that the sale should be completed by evenings. Some sales representatives who are working in independent sales companies determine their time and schedule.

A sales representative often faces competition from other company's representatives. Every company has its established goals and objectives and sales representatives are expected to meet them. Present and sell company products and services to current and potential clients.

Educational Qualification
There is no formal education required to become sales representatives. However, employers prefer candidates holding a bachelor's degree. Candidates who have completed an MBA are also preferred. To become a successful sales representative, one has to complete graduation along with little experience in related area.


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