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Sales representative

Alternative titles for this job include Salesperson, sales rep, field sales executive

Sales representatives sell products and services to individuals and businesses. They also follow up leads to find new customers.

Average salary (a year)

£23,000 Starter

to

£50,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 45 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Sales representative

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

University

You could do a degree before applying to join a company's graduate training scheme in sales. Most subjects are acceptable, for example business and marketing.

If you want to work in a specialist area of sales, you may need a degree related to that field, such as:

  • information technology
  • biomedical engineering
  • pharmaceutical science

Languages could also be useful, especially if you want to work with a company that sells worldwide.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:

  • Customer Service Practitioner Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • IT Technical Salesperson Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Sales Executive Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Business to Business Sales Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships in marketing or retail may also give you useful skills for this career.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as an administrator in a sales office and move into a sales position after doing an apprenticeship or in-house training on the job.

Direct Application

You can apply directly for sales jobs.

Employers will set their own entry requirements but will expect applicants to have confidence, enthusiasm and excellent communication skills. Sales or customer service experience will also be very useful.

More Information

Career tips

You can forge a sales career in many different sectors from vehicles, property and medical equipment to financial services and digital technology.

In job vacancies, the advertised salary may include on-target earnings (OTE), which depend on meeting individual or company sales targets. You should check what proportion of the salary is made up of OTE.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • the ability to sell products and services
  • customer service skills
  • persuading and negotiating skills
  • persistence and determination
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • administration skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a sales representative, you will:

  • contact new and existing customers
  • give presentations to promote new products and services
  • offer sales quotes and agree prices and delivery schedules
  • provide an after-sales service for enquiries and issues
  • attend sales conferences and product launches
  • keep track of industry trends
  • meet sales targets

Working environment

You could work in an office, from home, in a contact centre or at a client's business.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience and a good track record in sales, you could become an area or regional manager, supporting a sales team.

You could also move into marketing, or work in product and account management.

You might wish to specialise in a particular field, for example medical or pharmaceutical sales.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Patient Liaison Apprentice

  • Wage: £9,984 a year Annually
  • Location: BILLERICAY

Apprentice Customer Service Advisor

  • Wage: £13,312 a year Annually
  • Location: WEST WILTS TRADING ESTATE, WESTBURY

Courses In England

Business, Sales and Marketing Level 3

  • Provider: The Bournemouth and Poole College
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Bournemouth

Diploma in Skills for Business: Sales and Marketing

  • Provider: PRIOR PURSGLOVE AND STOCKTON SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Guisborough

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