You may need to do a degree in a subject related to your area of sales, especially if you're selling specialist products or services, for example pharmaceuticals.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels for a degree
Sales representative
Alternative titles for this job include Salesperson, sales rep, sales executive, field sales executive
Sales representatives meet or ring customers to persuade them to buy products or services.
Average salary (a year)
£15,000 Starter
to£50,000 Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
38 to 40 a week
You could work
evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home
How to become a sales representative
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
Apprenticeship
You could do an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship in:
- sales and telesales
- vehicle sales
You could move onto a sales executive higher apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), usually including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and college qualifications like A levels for a higher or a degree apprenticeship
More information
Work
You could start as an administrator in a sales office. Experience in a retail or customer service role may help you to become a sales rep. You'll also need a good standard of English and number skills.
More information
Career tips
It will help if you have experience or a background in what you're selling.
Further information
You can find out more about careers in sales from the Institute of Sales Management.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- the ability to sell products and services
- customer service skills
- persistence and determination
- to be flexible and open to change
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- excellent verbal communication skills
- being able to use a computer terminal or hand-held device may be beneficial for this job.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day tasks may include:
- contacting new and existing customers
- making presentations to promote new products
- agreeing sales, prices and delivery
- keeping in contact with customers before and after a sale
- recording orders
- going to conferences to understand industry trends
- meeting sales targets
Working environment
You could work in an office, from home or in a contact centre.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a sales team leader or an area sales manager.
The Institute of Sales Management (ISM) could help you develop your career.
Training opportunities
Apprenticeships In England
Sales Executive Apprentice
- Wage : £148.20 Weekly
- Location: Gateshead NE8 2AP
Apprentice Sales Executive
- Wage : £163.13 - £307.88 Weekly
- Location: GL2 2AA
Courses In England
Level 3 Diploma Skills for Business: Sales & Marketing
- Provider: YORK COLLEGE
- Start date: 09 September 2019
- Location: York
Estate Agency, Sale of Residential Property
- Provider: EAST SUSSEX COLLEGE GROUP
- Start date: 09 September 2019
- Location: Eastbourne
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