Inside Sales Representative skills for your resume and career

Customer service is the act of helping customers before, during, and after a purchase. Inside sales representatives use customer service to maintain positive relationships with existing customers, establish new business, and provide timely and efficient support. They handle customer inquiries, resolve issues, and provide product knowledge to meet customer needs. They also use customer service to anticipate and meet future client needs through education.

CRM, or Customer Relationship Management, is a tool used to manage customer interactions and data. Inside sales representatives use CRM to track customer information, schedule follow-ups, and identify new leads. They maintain records of customer contact through CRM and generate reports on request. They also use CRM to target specific demographics and conduct appointments with prospective clients.

Outbound calls are calls made by a sales representative to a potential customer. Inside sales representatives use outbound calls to generate revenue, establish and maintain customer relationships, and update customer information. They make a certain number of outbound calls daily, often using persuasive sales techniques to meet or exceed sales goals.

Product knowledge is the understanding of the features, benefits, and uses of a product or service. Inside sales representatives use product knowledge to provide informed solutions to customers, stay ahead of competitors, and build strong customer relationships. As Hank Boyd, Assistant Dean for Civic Engagement & Clinical Professor of Marketing at the University of Maryland - College Park, notes, "While at first blush it might seem counterintuitive in that product knowledge used to be a cardinal skill, today's salesforce relies heavily on networking."

Work ethic is a set of values centered on the importance of doing a job well and working hard. Inside sales representatives use work ethic by being self-motivated and disciplined, mentoring others, and striving to grow their company. They also demonstrate professionalism and positivity, often receiving praise from their superiors for their high-quality work and determination.

Salesforce is a customer relationship management (CRM) tool that helps businesses manage sales, marketing, and customer service. Inside sales representatives use Salesforce to manage their sales funnels, maintain accurate customer records, and track sales opportunities. They also use it to document client information, update account data, and collaborate with other sales teams. For example, one inside sales representative used Salesforce to build and sustain their client base by tracking leads and predicting sales outcomes.

Customer inquiries are requests or questions from customers about a product or service. Inside sales representatives use customer inquiries to provide solutions or answers to customers. They handle a high volume of these inquiries, troubleshoot problems, and initiate problem-resolution steps to achieve customer satisfaction. They also use customer inquiries to develop qualified opportunities, provide product information, and process orders.

Phone calls are a way to communicate with someone over a distance using a device called a phone. Inside sales representatives use phone calls to talk to customers, answer their questions, and convince them to buy something. They initiate these calls to sell their products or services, follow up on business opportunities, and maintain customer loyalty. For example, they might place 100 calls a day to new and existing customers to set appointments.

Excellent interpersonal skills are the ability to effectively communicate and interact with people. Inside sales representatives use these skills to build and maintain relationships with customers from diverse demographics. They exercise these skills to interface with customers and meet their demands. This contributes to an above-average conversion rate.

A computer system is a collection of hardware and software that work together to process, store, and communicate information. Inside sales representatives use computer systems in various ways, such as documenting customer issues, managing inventory, and processing sales orders. They also use these systems to update customer status, place orders, and recommend systems that fit clients' needs. For instance, they might enter data into a computer system while engaging in conversation about new or upcoming products, or use a system to compile monthly performance reports for management staff.

Account management is the process of managing a customer's relationship with a business. Inside sales representatives use account management by developing strategies to strengthen relationships, identifying key decision-makers' needs, and providing customer service. They also use account management to troubleshoot and solve problems, and to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.

Cold calls are unsolicited phone calls to potential customers who have not shown any prior interest in a product or service. Inside sales representatives use cold calls to reach out to new customers, qualify sales leads, and generate revenue. They also use cold calling to maintain a prospect database, establish relationships with key customers, and uncover business challenges.

Business development is the process of identifying and pursuing new business opportunities. Inside sales representatives use business development by forming partnerships with other departments, generating leads, and using various techniques to develop prospects into qualified appointments. They also identify prospective opportunities, initiate new business development through cold calling, and conduct strategic target marketing.