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What does a b2b sales representatives do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

Business-to-business (B2B) sales representatives are in charge of pursuing and securing sales with businesses. Their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis to generate leads, devising strategies in reaching out to clients and identifying their needs, developing business plans, and negotiating contract terms. Moreover, B2B sales representatives may perform calls and correspondence, arrange appointments or meetings, and offer products or services in adherence to the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.

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B2b sales representatives responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real b2b sales representatives resumes:

  • Generate new business via cold-call prospecting, telemarketing, leads and referrals.
  • Operate Salesforce and manage opportunities accordingly.
  • Join newly form emerging markets field sales team selling SaaS software/solutions to the emerging nonprofit marketplace.
  • Maintain customer records through SalesForce.
  • Present solutions face to face and/or demonstrate (SaaS) tools online.
  • Implement a VOIP phone system to streamline lead management, and to integrate with CRM.
  • Travele to numerous businesses within a local territory to maintain retention in sales for FedEx.
  • Gather key information to update the CRM system and assign a nurture path and follow-up strategy.
  • Excel in a technical team as the product champion for the Wuala brand cloud storage server.
  • Facilitate presentations using WebEx and PowerPoint.
  • Conduct product demonstrations to potential prospects via webinar meetings.
  • Coordinate and perform sales presentation and platform demonstrations via webinar delivery.
  • Document all customer contacts in the appropriate databases and provide accurate and detail sales forecast of identify and propose opportunities.
  • Account analysis and preparation, assessing customer needs, and preparation of professional sales recommendations tailor to each customer s business.
  • Perform inside sales, including telemarketing, prospecting, account penetration and product application, consulting and delivery of customer service.

B2b sales representatives skills and personality traits

We calculated that 16% of B2B Sales Representatives are proficient in Customer Service, CRM, and PowerPoint. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Interpersonal skills, and Physical stamina.

We break down the percentage of B2B Sales Representatives that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 16%

    Coordinate resolutions of customer service between referring offices and practice.

  • CRM, 13%

    Develop client leads and maintain an active pipeline through company's CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system.

  • PowerPoint, 12%

    Assisted upper management by creating PowerPoint presentations and gathering materials for customers and sales meetings.

  • Business-To-Business Sales, 11%

    Position consisted of residential door-to-door and business-to-business sales.

  • Customer Retention, 9%

    Maintain customer retention by affirming customer satisfaction after the completion of 3, 6, and 12 months of service.

  • HR, 9%

    Managed a full spectrum of HR operations, systems and programs.

Most b2b sales representatives use their skills in "customer service," "crm," and "powerpoint" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential b2b sales representatives responsibilities here:

Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a b2b sales representatives to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives must be able to listen to the customer’s needs and concerns before and after the sale." Additionally, a b2b sales representatives resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "oversee 9 distribution sites in oregon and washington coordinate customer equipment repair and installation promoted product line for in-field replacement. "

Interpersonal skills. Another essential skill to perform b2b sales representatives duties is interpersonal skills. B2b sales representatives responsibilities require that "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives must be able to work well with many types of people." B2b sales representatives also use interpersonal skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "learned interpersonal interaction and scripts for both business to business and cold calling procedures. "

Physical stamina. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of b2b sales representatives is physical stamina. This skill is critical to many everyday b2b sales representatives duties, as "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives are often on their feet for a long time and may carry heavy sample products." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "conducted a minimum of 5 sales presentations per week by physical visits at public works department locations. "

Self-confidence. b2b sales representatives responsibilities often require "self-confidence." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives must be confident and persuasive when making sales presentations." This resume example shows what b2b sales representatives do with self-confidence on a typical day: "used active listening and persuasion to overcome objections & gained confidence in working alone while maintaining daily sales records. "

All b2b sales representatives skills

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B2B Sales Representatives Resume

Compare different b2b sales representatives

B2b sales representatives vs. Territory representative

A territory representative is responsible for selling the company's goods and services within a designated area, negotiating offers with potential clients, and identifying business opportunities according to market trends and customer demands. Territory representatives analyze the sales performance and strategize techniques to reach sales targets by coordinating with the whole sales team. They must be highly knowledgeable of the products offered by the company to demonstrate features and functionalities and respond to the inquiries and concerns the customers may have.

If we compare the average b2b sales representatives annual salary with that of a territory representative, we find that territory representatives typically earn a $26,072 lower salary than b2b sales representatives make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both b2b sales representatives and territory representative positions are skilled in customer service, crm, and business development.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between b2b sales representatives and territory representative. For instance, b2b sales representatives responsibilities require skills such as "powerpoint," "business-to-business sales," "customer retention," and "hr." Whereas a territory representative is skilled in "patients," "customer relationships," "territory development," and "food handling." This is part of what separates the two careers.

On average, territory representatives reach similar levels of education than b2b sales representatives. Territory representatives are 1.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

B2b sales representatives vs. Pharmaceutical sales representative

The job of pharmaceutical sales representatives is to inform and educate doctors about a company's medical and pharmaceutical products. They serve as the link between a company and healthcare professionals to hit sales targets. They have varied responsibilities, including assessing clients' needs and presenting suitable products, delivering product samples, and working sales teams to develop and implement brand strategies. This role's qualifications include relevant work experience, excellent communication, sales, negotiation skills, and a bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

On average, pharmaceutical sales representatives earn a $2,738 higher salary than b2b sales representatives a year.A few skills overlap for b2b sales representatives and pharmaceutical sales representatives. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "sales presentations," "product knowledge," and "territory management. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that b2b sales representatives responsibilities requires skills like "customer service," "crm," "powerpoint," and "business-to-business sales." But a pharmaceutical sales representative might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "patients," "pharmaceutical products," "develop strong relationships," and "fda."

Pharmaceutical sales representatives may earn a higher salary than b2b sales representatives, but pharmaceutical sales representatives earn the most pay in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $82,541. On the other hand, b2b sales representatives receive higher pay in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $67,873.In general, pharmaceutical sales representatives achieve similar levels of education than b2b sales representatives. They're 1.3% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

B2b sales representatives vs. Consultant and sales representative

A consultant and sales representative's role is to perform research and analysis to devise strategies for reaching sales targets and optimal services. Aside from providing consultations and business plans, they may also represent the company by reaching out to clients through calls and correspondence. They may offer products and services to secure sales, answer inquiries, and even arrange appointments to discuss and negotiate deals. Furthermore, as a consultant and sales representative, it is essential to build positive relationships with clients in adherence to the company's policies and regulations.

On average scale, consultants and sales representative bring in higher salaries than b2b sales representatives. In fact, they earn a $159,999 higher salary per year.By looking over several b2b sales representatives and consultants and sales representative resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "customer service," "crm," and "powerpoint." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a b2b sales representatives is likely to be skilled in "business-to-business sales," "customer retention," "hr," and "digital marketing," while a typical consultant and sales representative is skilled in "strong presentation," "national accounts," "pre sales," and "securities."

Consultants and sales representative make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $234,866. On the other hand, b2b sales representatives are paid the highest salary in the professional industry, with average annual pay of $67,873.Most consultants and sales representative achieve a similar degree level compared to b2b sales representatives. For example, they're 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

B2b sales representatives vs. Sales development representative

A sales development representative qualifies leads at the sales funnel's initial stages. Sales development representatives need to conduct research for prospective clients and qualify the leads before handing them to the sales team. They develop sales strategies to attract buyers or solicit potential customers. They need to build relationships with their customers to determine their needs and qualify the viability of interests to drive sales. Also, they collaborate with the sales executives making certain that corporate targets and goals are met.

Sales development representatives average a lower salary than the annual salary of b2b sales representatives. The difference is about $14,329 per year.While both b2b sales representatives and sales development representatives complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like customer service, customer retention, and hr, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between b2b sales representatives and sales development representatives, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a b2b sales representatives might have more use for skills like "crm," "powerpoint," "business-to-business sales," and "account management." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of sales development representatives require skills like "sdr," "account executives," "linkedin," and "saas. "

The start-up industry tends to pay the highest salaries for sales development representatives, with average annual pay of $54,512. Comparatively, the highest b2b sales representatives annual salary comes from the professional industry.The average resume of sales development representatives showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to b2b sales representatives. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 2.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of b2b sales representatives

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.