Sales Representative

Tasks may include:

• arranging contracts and payment details with clients
• stocking shelves with products or suggesting how they should be displayed
• keeping in touch with clients
• dealing with complaints and arranging for faulty goods to be serviced
• keeping sales records and writing reports
• predicting future market trends and developing new sales ideas to attract more clients
• finding and contact potential new customers
• organising sales budgets.

Skills and knowledge

Sales representatives need to have:

• knowledge of the products or services being sold and how to advertise them
• specialist knowledge of the particular industry they are selling in, including competitors' products
• an understanding of contract law
• the ability to place orders and manage stock
• good communication and people skills
• good time management skills
• business, marketing and basic accounting skills.

Personal qualities

Sales representatives need to be:

• friendly, patient and helpful
• self confident and self motivated
• enthusiastic and persuasive
• able to work well under pressure.

Career progression

Sales representatives may progress into specialist sales or management roles.